Why pay for truck school when some co'.s train you for free ???

I'm currently in a 5 month program to get my CDL A. They did also have a 20 day program which I passed on. The main reason I passed on it and also going to a company that trains you was that I would only get my CDL A with no endorsements. Coming out of this program I'll have my CDL A, doubles/triples, tanker and hazmat endorsements. Also, had I gone to a company they would pay significantly lower for the first year (or less depending on the company). The highest pay was .22 cpm. The total for my schooling was a little under $10k. I qualified for about half that in grants. The rest I financed in student loans. The company I'm looking at going to work for will pay up to $6500 in tuition reimbursement (more than I have in student loans) and pay .42cpm. It really was a no brainer.

 

Huh, that's crazy. I paid $1800. Got cdl a with all endorsements in 160 hours, 4 weeks. Got a local job right out of school, made $48000 first year

 

Why is this a question? I know that there are so many people here that have beat this to death. But still this question remains.

The short answer is....

Whether you pay up front, or you get "free" school. You pay. Would you rather pay up front or in diminished earnings? That is the real question.

The long answer is...

Are you going to allow a company to micromanage you into the poor house? Are you going to remove all responsibility of your life's decisions from yourself and remit them into the hands of others? Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the comedy and mayhem that ensures... it passes the time and it makes me feel like I can do this. But, why?

If you are still in a place that you are asking a question like this, are you ready for a career in trucking? Are you prepared to make on the spot decisions when you can't take the time to research simple questions like this. This is a perfect example of what kind of a trucker you are going to be. Is this harsh? I don't know... All I know is taking the time upfront to get yourself on a path to success will allow you to live a more flexible life.

 

Id never recommend a company mill to a driver unless it were their only option.
The last thing any driver wants is a contract tying them down in one place.
If you have the money, pay out of pocket. You'll get reimbursed if you hash it out for a year with your first company and if they treat you like poop you're still free to leave.

 

I'm only in my 2nd month now. So just got in a truck. Mon was my first day driving (backing up). My first time I did straight back up and offsets. The teacher came up to the truck and told me to just straight back up for now. I was in a truck with people in their 3rd month and they told him that I was backing up better than them lol. He took me out of the truck and told me that I should have done the 20 day class cause I'm going to be bored by the end of this month. But anyway, here where I'm at you have to do 6 manuevers to test. I live near Memphis but in Mississippi. If you live in TN you only have to learn 3.

 

I wish you the best of luck, but remember, the real learning starts when you are working. You will learn so much more working in the real world

 

Fair enough

 

Ohhhh yeah. Most definitely!! I can't wait!!

 

If a mega company has 1000 drivers and 100 of those drivers are under contract and can't quit because the mega is paying for cdl school.....which drivers do you think are gonna get the crap loads that nobody wants to do?

If you're under contract, they'll treat you like a dog treats a fire hydrant.