U.S. Xpress CDL Training - Do they make you sign a contract?

You know why we consider the men at The Alamo heroes? Because they did what they said they would do.

You will make bad choices if you keep in your mind you can take a "free" CDL and ditch the company at first opportunity. Make your choice of company with the idea you are staying until Jesus return or 1 year. Maybe tell US Express you are considering "early departure" before they hire you so they can make informed decision.

 

Jim Palmer Trucking hires in SC and Los Angeles plus has their own cdl school. If you go with this company you wouldn't have to change jobs after relocating.
Veriha Trucking hires SC students for their school which is in Wisconsin. Home weekends.

 

Howdy, @UsualSuspect - i never believed all the hype about the companies getting grants(big money per student)-i thought maybe tax breaks.Still dont know-but i found this;


In general, blank checks are not written for these training programs. The applicant must apply and meet the requirements for entry. The programs do exist under such names as "Workforce Investment Act of 1998" ( http://www.doleta.gov/regs/statutes/wialaw.txt ) and others. Many states (Texas included) use this as the basis for their grant money to students. Some of these other programs might even provide various other stipends and payments for your other expenses while training. Many trucking companies run their own training programs and take advantage of these grant programs. Texas training opportunities can be found at the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) WEB page http://www.twc.state.tx.us/customers...jsempsub5.html . For example in Texas the following trucking companies participate:

CENTRAL REFRIGERATED TRUCK DRIVING ACADEMY
MESILLA VALLEY TRAINING INSTITUTE
SCHNEIDER TRAINING ACADEMY, INCORPORATED
STEVENS DRIVING ACADEMY OF TEXAS, LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
VALLEY TRUCKING DRIVER TRAINING SCHOOL L.L.C.

The TWC (unemployment bureau who administers the funding for these programs) has a service called "DECIDE, Consumer Reporting System" (http://decide.cdr.state.tx.us/ASP/intro.asp) that is suppose to provide the consumer information regarding performance of these, and other post-secondary, educational institutions to allow consumers to make informed decisions. What's interesting to note is you will not find these institutions listed. It appears that Texas does not force any institution that receives public funds to participate. I find that a disturbing condition!

Is there money to be made by the trucking companies regardless of whether the student graduates and/or whether they are offered a job? So far, in my research I have been unable to find definitive information regarding that. There have been claims that some of these companies might be using their training schools to line their own coffers. If you are a new driver, or driver returning from a hiatus, and applying for a Texas based company, or one with a Texas based school, they might require you to fill out the TWC paperwork before they will even give you a drive test for a position there. Is there something unknown with that? Don't know.

Before you sign on with any company I would recommend that you perform a little research, whether it is a company school or a school used by the company you intend to sign with. Ask them if you will be signing any type of grant paperwork or government mandated paperwork connected with the school. Ask them to send you all of the required paperwork you will be signing, whether at the time of application or when arriving at the school. Some of this paperwork may have implications beyond just a simple contract of indentured servitude to pay the company back for training. It might possibly affect your ability to collect other benefits if you do not complete the school, follow-on OTR training with a company trainer or fail to pay back the loan. The grant money might also have repayment terms if you fail to complete the training and stay employed. Beside that, I'm sure it would not be a good experience to talk "The Dog" (Greyhound) 1000 miles to a training facility just to find out you are going to be presented with more contractual, or otherwise detrimental, paperwork before the company allows you to stay and complete your orientation or training.

 

I know for a fact cre gets grant $$$ after that i only assume others have or are doing the same.

 

If it is Government funded then there is a budget item for it, what Agency is funding it? CRE is also required by law to disclose it to anyone who is receiving the funding. If they are not, you and anyone else should file a Complaint with the funding Agency. I looked through the Dept's of Education, Labor, and Transportation, none of them are funding it, there is no budget item. I am doubtful they are getting funding for training. Companies do get a tax credit, but it is not a dollar for dollar write-off, and if CRE is requiring repayment, they can't use it as a tax credit. They can write-off bad loans.

 

Stay the contract. You new guys can't start at the top. You need to learn a few things. Besides most cases mow the instructor you may get dissent have much seat time either. Stick it out. Learn the stuff you need then start looking around. We already have enough guys out here now that back in to save their butt. Or even pull out. I had to jump out in my drawers one time and chase the short timer down who folded my mirror up and scratched the hood pulling out. Stay the course learn the job and for God's sake don't do the lease purchase scam.

 

Man definitely food service in Myrtle beach.

But of curiosity you are totally confused now lol

 

Don't know where you're getting your info, and I have serious doubts about your surveys of the government, state or federal (or CRE). I suggest you go to your state employment office and find out what's available firsthand. I know for a fact that there has been training money available to veterans, which you don't mention at all. These programs can change over time. Now that the country is supposedly at full employment, some programs may be going away.

The main reason I'm responding to you post is misinformation. Someone on here might read your post and give up on a career driving a truck. For some it might have been a lifetime dream to drive. I'm not arguing about the pluses or minuses of truck driving or OTR, that's a whole other topic.

The government doesn't know what's in the budget, since you know, maybe you should seek employment there. They sure could use your help!

 

I didn't survey anyone, I looked at the various Federal Budgets, which included Grants given to corporations and companies, none of them had line items for Swift, CRE, Knight, Prime, or any other trucking company. I never discouraged anyone from getting a Federal Grant through WIOA, Pell, or otherwise, and if you look back at my previous posts I specifically excluded Grants awarded to individuals. My training was funded by a WIOA Grant, Veterans Grants and Training are not awarded to companies, they are awarded to individuals. I responded to a post where it was said the Fed directly pays companies to train students and the companies are also charging the students to train them

 

Does Us xpress offer cdl training? i dont see it on the website just student drivers that have a cdl.