Which companies have their own trucking schools?

Discussion in 'Trucking Schools and CDL Training Forum' started by zebra925, Jan 10, 2010.

  1. jasonb

    jasonb Light Load Member

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    And so what if you owe them $ if you leave early? It is probably going to be less than what you would pay for an outside school. And if you do stay it costs you nothing. While you would have still paid for the outside school if you went that route. PLUS - Roehl will hire you if you go through their school and pass the test. Marshfield, WI is a nice place to spend a few weeks, just don't go there until it warms up a bit.
     
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  3. Formula1

    Formula1 Bobtail Member

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    Those are some good points to consider if your not familier with trucking and there is a possibility you might not like it.
    Things like tuition reimbursement, grants and student loans make private schools a little easier for some one who knows very little about the industry and just wants to try driving out.
    As far as having a job, I believe most schools company owned or private offer job placement assistance.
    I just wonder if tuition is cheaper at a private school vs if you droped out of a company program early?
    But in my personal case, I had family in the industry and I believe a 1 year commitment is not bad compared to some other professions, you just need to decide if being away from home, and living on the road is something for you.
     
  4. RickG

    RickG Road Train Member

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    So what ? Few would leave voluntarily owing that money . Most are terminated which means a negative DAC combined with little experience . Your career is over and you pay a high price for it .
    Yes , the same could happen with a private school but a private school would allow you to look for work with a company less likely to be so quick to terminate over petty reasons .
     
  5. RickG

    RickG Road Train Member

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    And that's the whole problem with WIA funding . I bet 80% would be a low estimate of how many students funded by WIA are still driving .
    Many got in the program just as you said , to try it out or maybe fulfill that boyhood fantasy . Bring the camera along for a month or 2 and make a Billy Bigrigger album to impress the grandchildren .
    It's a huge waste of taxpayer dollars and diverts limited funds preventing deserving people from getting training in needed fields where they could have a good future .
    WIA funding to CDL mills should be eliminated . Those going to schools should be limited to those that ARE familiar with the industry and KNOW they want to be drivers . There would be far fewer in schools but their odds of getting a job would be better .
    Driving is a profession . Not a game like many of these wannabes think . People should smarten up and avoid companies like C.R. England where the trainer spends 90% of the time not behind the wheel in the sleeper . I know this forum has helped quite a few decide against England .
     
  6. JimF

    JimF "If you got it, flaunt it"

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    Unfortunately, truck driving isn't a job type where you can get a feel for it before hand. Can't do it part time while in high school, can't do it for a summer job, there's no apprentice program, etc.. So the only way to find out if it's right or wrong for a person is to jump through the hoops, get a CDL and try it out. I've met people who have done all the research they can, have a really good idea as to what to expect, and last only a month or so. I've also met people who didn't have a clue, and took to it like a duck to water.

    I also doubt that companies with schools have a set policy of firing people they train just to get the money from them. How do you collect from a person who isn't working? You'd spend additional money (over what you spent training them) just trying to collect it. It makes more sense to keep them at least for a year or more, at cheap cpm. I will agree that it makes sense to fire someone before they have paid off the tuition, if they are bad enough out on the road that they have, or have the potential to, cost you big bucks in damages and claims.

    And although I agree with RickG that a lot of newbies don't last, a lot walk away on their own. I walked from CR England back in 10/'96, owing them money (really poor rep. companies should not hold their schools where trainees can talk to lots of disgruntled drivers!). I paid them off and then to a private school. When I went to Maverick 2 years ago, there were 2 brothers there that had left Schneider still owing their tuition. It's a dumb move, but sometimes people just can't hack it, the more they learn about it (or the company).

    As for company vs. private school, sometimes there isn't a choice. I'll use me (CDL A holder but no recent experience) for an example, but same situation could apply to a complete newbie. I'm unemployed, no jobs in area. Can't afford to pay for school, but don't qualify for any tuition assistance, as spouse makes more than household income limit. And while I'm at the 3 up to 8 week school, I don't have a pay check coming in. So can't pay to go to private school. Choice is float a loan (if I can qualify) through the school, or got to school through a company. If I get a loan and go through the private school, I may have a good chance at a job (no guarantee), but it may still be with a starter company. If I go through company training, it's usually shorter, and I'll start getting some sort of income once I'm out with a trainer. Yes, I'm an indentured servent to them for a year or more, but if I tough it out, I've got the experience needed to go to a better company.

    Private school is the way to go, IF you can afford the tuition and be out of work while you attend. But for those who just can't afford it, company training is the only alternative.
     
  7. scotchotr

    scotchotr Bobtail Member

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    Hey JimF,
    First of all I liked what you wrote in all fairness to the issue; company vs. private school. Not quite sure where the thread started from but If I may, I would like to start some inquiry w/ you regarding the decision of becoming an OTR driver. You seem to be pretty level headed and direct.
    My objective- Is Company training/employment.
    Background- Telecommunications 20 + years and a lot of OTR travel on a class D Lic.
    At 45 years of age I just can't meet the demand for tower climbing and power climbing anymore and need to make a change.
    Reading through a lot of these forums and surfing the web trying to come up with a clear understanding and game plan for this potential opportunity is exhausting; time consuming.
    At this time it would be really helpful if I could get an OBJECTIVE suggestion to 3 potential Trucking Company / Schools that have respectable programs.
    I feel pretty confident in understanding the financial obligations in general along with the long term commitment associated the career choice.
    I started this investigation with Stevens and quickly found out through comments on this site that they are not ..........lets just say STAY AWAY FROM.
    Any help here Mr. Jim would be greatly appreciated.
     
  8. BlackCat

    BlackCat Light Load Member

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    I don't know about the rest, but when you go to England, you finance your loan thru a 3rd party, why would you owe anything to England?
     
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