I posted yesterday about driving/stopping the truck, I've contacted a local recruiter for Stevens Transport, apparently they have a deal with a local community college that I go to here in Houston to sponsor my training here for 3 weeks, then off to Dallas.
I've been reading some really bad things about Stevens though. Are there any good companies that sponsor CDL training ?
I'm begining to wonder if I should just wait until October and pay for the truck driving school myself, then pick and choose where I want to work thereafter.
Opinions ? Comments ? Suggestions ?
I'd appreciate it !
Who's the best company for sponsored CDL Training ?
Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by TexasTrucker83, Apr 1, 2012.
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Something you really don't want to get into.48Packard Thanks this. -
Keep in mind that so often, the training will be what you make of it, especially when training with a company in exchange for a committment of x number of months or years. A lot of guys go into it with dollar signs in their eye sockets.
That said, I second what MNdriver said. If holding off a few months and being able to attend a good school of your choice without being beholden to any particular company is an option, I'd go that route.
Good luck! -
I am in the same situation. I know nothing about Stevens that can help. As far as Private -vs- Company sponsored training is the way to go.
The companies can do it at a discounted - "free" cost to you.
Of course then you owe your soul to the company store for at least a year. As you probably know, most folks you should stay at least that year. If not for professional reasons, financial ones.
Another company option, if you can, is to pay their required fee upfront and have no obligation to the company. Essentially you are paying to get your CDL through them at the cost of a private CDL school, plus you get a sample of what that company is about during your training time. At the same time, they may be glad to take you on once your training is completed. Saves you having to do a job search and a potetial refresher course if you can't find a job soon enough. If you don't like them, you walk away and go for option #2. Whatever that might be.
Remember, I'm a wannabe. One opinion, hopefully more will chime in.
Good Luck. -
What happens if you go through their school, get your CDL, and either get let go or quit ?
I mean, obviously you're still on the hook for the school, but do you get black balled in the industry ?
I've also read that Stevens sends new drivers into New York a TON and I do NOT want to go to New York at all. Although, I have heard that you're not forced to take a dispatched load, but that you'll likely get fired if you don't.
I'll be honest, I need a job like yesterday, I got divorced and the wife took everything. I'd love to be able to wait until October though, my local school said there are tons of local companies that hire their graduates because Houston is a pretty active port city. -
did you check any of these other places for training?
http://www.bigrigjobs.com/Truck_Driver_Resources/Truck_Driving_School/TX.html -
and if you pay up front for schooling through a company (I'm using Roehl as the example, that's where I'm headed), they'll pay back your tuition over the course of 120,000 solo miles.
If a company is going to own you for a year, anyhow (assuming you pick one and try to "stick it out" for the 12 months til doors open somewhere else), does it really matter if you get your education through a company or college?
FWIW, I talked to a guy up the road who runs trucks. He's had guys apply for driving positions who have GRADUATED from one of the well-known schools an hour or two away from here. One guy couldn't back a straight line or figure out how to back a truck around a building. Another backed into the corner of a customer's garage. Turns out he wiped out the entire corner, took out part of the overhead door PLUS wrecked an almost $50k classic car. He sees this particular school on the driver app, and he doesn't look any farther...I'd like to avoid that, personally.
And, yes...I realize the above mentioned are NOT necessarily "the norm" for college-taught drivers. BUT, it happens.
The other things I noticed:
third party schooling-
-the one I contacted was financially cheaper
-it also had NIGHT classes, 5 nights per week for TEN weeks
-is situated around an hour and a half from home, which means I'd have to either find lodging near the school or travel that distance everyday. That's a substantial outlay of cash and time, either way.
Company schooling:
-more expensive tuition
-option of paying $400 for THREE WEEKS at a hotel during class
-lets me be in close proximity with other students after class who are there for the same reason as I am. This means I can ask my stupid questions til someone bats me upside the head and tells me to go to my room.
-trains me to work by that particular company's rules and guidelines.
There's more, but that's a little of the stuff you might consider, wherever you decide to school.Everett, FutureTexasTrucker, SatelliteSender and 1 other person Thank this. -
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they mean nothing to me. Just a list of schools in the Houston tx area I found on google.
When I went to school, the company I went to required if for insurance reasons because I was under 25. They had an arrangement for it with the tech college in Mitchell SD. Last time I looked, they no longer teach truck driving.
ETA:
I would tend to shy away from a program that had me beholden to the company for much time at all. The private school can be just as good as the program offered by the school. As well as accepted by more companies.
A tech college may be eligible for vet or education benefits (student loans). A bank may work with you as well at some of the private schools.Last edited: Apr 1, 2012
FutureTexasTrucker Thanks this. -
Thank you T-Lady, I was hoping there would be pro/con for both, I appreciate the post !
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