Should I get my CDL on my own or with a company training school ?.

If you can afford it, attend a private cdl school that's at least 160 hrs. This way you have several choices of companies to choose from. For example, Danny Herman Trucking hires new cdl grads. that have minimum 85 GPA in cdl school. They have a drop yard in Calexico and terminal in Fontana.
Swift will get the job done also. We do what we have to do sometime to get the trucking career started.
Here's some that also hire new cdl grads in San Diego:
Shaffer Trucking
Trans-System
Gate Gourmet - local work
Navajo Express
KKW Trucking - don't need school, just a CDL-A
National Carriers
Coastal Transport - sometimes hires a new cdl grad

 

Danny Herman Trucking

Navajo Express~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Coastal Transport

 

CDL schools have job placement services, but most of the time you can do better by finding your own job, such as on this forum. The first day of cdl school, submit online job applications to as many companies as you like; the more the better. This way, you have plenty of time to go over the job offers and have something lined up the day you graduate. Don't wait until the end of cdl school or after graduation to search for a job; start that process the first day of school.
One student this week had 6 job offers the first day of cdl school. You can do the same.
The job offers are contingent on successfully completing cdl school.

 

Freymiller is another good one to try. Not sure they hire in San Diego, but you can call their toll-free number and ask. They do hire in most of California. drive4freymiller.com is the website.
Look at "Restore Program" on the website which is the program for new cdl grads.

 

Best wishes; trucking is a great career, especially if you have a bit of wanderlust in your soul.

 

My opinion is you should find a company that seems to be a good place to work, then get your CDL on your own or signing their contract exchanging their training for a contract period. HOW you get the CDL is a small consideration compared to picking a company where you can get a year of experience. It's not like college where the school CAN lead to the right network of people which CAN guarantee your future.

You can afford CDL school by saving, getting a grant from state (WIA/WOIA), contract with trucking company, or tuition reimbursement. EVERY CDL school will arrange for you to take a loan, or you get a loan from your bank or credit union.

This question is a bit like focusing on how to get to a restaurant rather than whether the restaurant has food you want to eat. Your future is better served finding a place near you that is a good place for you to work. IMO

 

Unless you are in dire straights and can not afford to come up with the money to pay for school, it is ALWAYS better to pay yourself and be free and clear to find a job with no strings attached.

Company schools have a cost, sometimes in a set dollar amount or in lower pay as you start out to cover the cost of school.

When I did the math a few years ago, I estimated the cost (usually as a number adjusting for lower pay) it was around $3,600 - $4,800 depending on the company school. Very easy for find training on your own for a lower cost than that and have the freedom to take that CDL wherever you would like.

 

You might also talk to your local community college to see if they have a CDL program.