Illinois

There's Premiere CDL in Granite city, IL

http://www.premiercdl.com/index.php

160 Driving academy in Belleville, IL

http://www.160drivingacademy.com/school-locations/belleville/

Both of these are close to O'fallon, IL


There's MTC in Hazelwood a st. Louis suburb

http://www.truckdrivertraining.com/


Here a list of schools in Illinois and Missouri

http://www.truckingtruth.com/schools/illinois-truck-driving-schools

http://www.truckingtruth.com/schools/missouri-truck-driving-schools

 

Well, can't help you on the driving schools, but Maverick, Gordon/Heartland, and Millis all have terminals near Madison, IL.....I don't know if in your first year you'll be able to get 5 weeks off from ANY company, but after a year or two you could become an o/o and set your own schedule....Also, do your research on starter companies, and what you want to pull (Dry Van, Reefer, Flatbed, Tanker, Hazmat, Dry Bulk...etc) there ARE some that Will pay you a decent amount even in your first year, these will NOT be the Mega's (Schneider, Swift, Stevens, JB, Werner, USA, US Express...etc..)...this forum is a GREAT resource, but only if you USE IT....


Thank you for your service and sacrifice for ALL of us!!!!!!!!

P.S. some members here are a Fantastic resource (Chinatown, Skateboardman....)

 

I posted some links but I guess this site doesnt allow links. Anyway google premiere cdl they are located in Granite city, IL and 160 Driving academy located in Belleville, illinois. Both close to O'fallon, IL. Also google trucking truth and on top of their page they have a trucking schools link click on that and they have schools listed by state.

 

In trucking you will find, incomes vary WILDLY from company to company (even if their doing the same work) a LOT of truckers do little to zero due diligence and then complain loudly how their failure is someone else's fault....

Also, when getting a CDL I STRONGLY recommend you get it on your own (not through a Mega) that way you owe no one and can leave your company without being their indentured servant....

Begin with the end in mind, trucking regularly eats up those who don't...

 

An LTL job such as with Old Dominion would probably fit your situation. They do hire new CDL graduates now. Good hometime and great money. Also, consider driving tankers; with the shortage of drivers in the USA, good local or regional jobs are now available to new CDL graduates.

My cousin was RIF'd from the Army after 17 years and 9 Purple Hearts. The military doesn't care about your service; they use you and abuse you then throw you away. Took my cousin about 5 yrs. to finally get in a reserve unit so be eligible for a retirement, but had to do 8 yrs. in the reserves. He also drove trucks until he could fully retire. He started as an E-1 and RIF'd as a Major.

 

try looking at some of the community colleges that have the class
I had my class b for years but went to a CC for my class a

 

Yes, we allow links. Sometimes the software flags them as spam and they have to be approved before they post. You would've had a message saying that once you hit the submit button.

 

You also have the option of plenty of LTL company's in the St.Louis area... I'm sure with your military background and the shortage/need for truck drivers at pretty much all company's you should have a good chance of scoring a job... I don't think with any company that 5 weeks off is going to be possible but at least with LTL you could be on the pick-up and delivery side which is generally day time hour's and get off at a decent time so you could see your kids not to mention you would have weekends off...Not to sure about Champaign but I know in Decatur a couple of LTL companies are out of that area... I believe also in Champaign Kraft has a big warehouse I'm sure with a little homework you could find a company that pulls in and out of there daily with a day cab.... Good luck