Small Problem With Stevens Transport School

I went to Dallas, TX to attend Stevens Transport's school. I got my class A CDL no problem. I left a day before I was assigned a trainer because I was informed my father was going into brain surgery to remove a tumor that was discovered. My father is a trucker of many years and is thankfully fully recovered and almost ready to get back on the road. Anyway, while I was home my curiosity got the best of me and I began looking at other companies and local possibilities. Local definitely wasn't happening for a young dude just out of school.

I began talking to different companies and finally decided that USA Truck would suit me best as far as training, pay, and home time. Much better than what Stevens offered by far. Well, USA Truck accepts me, but they want to know what school I went to and they want a certificate. I didn't get my certificate. They must've been handed out the morning when we get our trainer. So, I call Stevens and the woman who shall remain nameless refused me. She asked if I had paid my tuition, which I hadn't, obviously. I had planned on working for them and paying it off like usual.

I came clean with her and told her of USA Truck and what I wanted to do. She tells me to just come back and tries to convince me of how wonderful it will be to be out 3 to 4 weeks or more at a time. Now, I've been married for three years and have a young son. It's hard enough being away from them for even a day, but I think I could handle the regional that USA Truck offered me being home every weekend until I got my year's experience in to work local. But 3 to 4 weeks or more? I'm sorry, but I can't do that and my wife wouldn't be very happy at all. Keep in mind we were told a different story over the phone, in class, and in orientation. I kind of noticed that Stevens' story changed as the weeks passed by in class.

I have nothing against Stevens. I had a good time and met a lot of cool people, but I really want my certificate. The only way to get it, so they say, is to come back and go out with a trainer. I'm scheduled for orientation on the 18th. I seriously do not want to do this AT ALL. But is this really the only way to get my certificate? I don't think any company will touch me without me showing a certificate. Billing statements aren't good enough, apparently. Haha! Anybody got any advice for me?

 

Easy now, dudes. I plan on paying them back in full. I just don't want to work for them. I almost want to say we get scammed, but scammed is when you get nothing in return. This is more like taken advantage of in a way. As a graduate of their school you only get 26 cpm. And it goes to 27 after a year. Other companies that just want your certificate will pay you 35 cpm. But Stevens knows they've got you on the ropes and you goota do what you gotta do. Such is life, I guess. Not trying to screw over Stevens. I've got excellent credit for my age and definitely don't want to blemish it.

 

Ahh, but you see, I thought of writing them a check! Sounds easy enough, yes? Well, once you decide that you just want their school and not the job your fee is now close to 11k. However, my roommate/very good friend of mine that I met while there offered them 3k to leave him alone and they accepted. He already had his certificate though and went with a trainer for a week. His trainer defecated in a coffee cup right next to him while he was driving. Stevens fired the trainer and my friend quit. Like I said, I'd love to pay them, but I personally don't have the money to give them up front.

Are there any companies that don't require to see a certificate and are happy enough that you have your class A?