Second Thoughts

I have been reading and researching all week and have come to a couple of conclusions, at least about trucking schools. Now, I am no delicate flower, but I have my standards and expectations, which I don't think are unreasonable.

It sounds like trucking schools are grinding out newbie drivers and throwing them to the wind with who-knows-who trainers. The turnover in this industry must be horrendous!

I have no trouble 'paying my dues' and don't expect any special treatment as a beginner, but I do expect reasonable training facilities and accommodations - doesn't sound like either is available. I don't want to associate with people who steal and may lack basic morals about themselves and others.

I am not about to voluntarily put myself in danger just to make a living . . .

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It's no bed of roses. There are many sacrfices to be made and conditions aren't always the best.

If you Google "CDL driver turnover rate", you will find many articles. One article quotes 117%. Some of these numbers may be accounted for with company changes.

I believe that well above 70% of new drivers don't have realistic expectations. They fail to research and realize what is in store for them. Many just can't take being on the road most of the time. Most think that the job is just driving down the road.

This profession is only suited to a certain kind of person. If independence and isolation aren't priorities in your life, it may not be your cup of tea.

Unfortunately lack of facilities and accommodations are some of the sacrfices a professional driver faces every day. You can minimize this with some effort and planning, but it will always be there.

It seems our society is in a moral decay so I'm not sure where you go to avoid that. I'd say it is pretty prevalent wherever you go and especially in trucking.

I still think a bad day in a truck is better than a good day in an office or factory.

 

LMAO...HUH? Sounds like you been researching the wrong companies, or have too many high expectations for this industry.

 

Then don't go to a trucking school?

Try a community college or even find a company to train you. They'll both 'treat' ya better then a mill will.

Overall. Any school is there to make money. Once you get your license, they could care less about you.

The one advantage to company training is they usually care a little bit more about you because they want you to pass so they can make money off of you.

 

Thanks, BigJohn54, for your response and previous detailed post about trucking in general. I don't think I have stars in my eyes, I am just ignorant about a lot of aspects, hence researching and asking questions.

It seems as if the industry has found another revenue stream from training drivers. Guess there's nothing fundamentally wrong with that, unless less-than-prepared graduates are the result. I realize school is just the start of a long learning process that can only come from hours/miles hands-on behind the wheel.

I like to challenge myself, mentally and physically, and am not afraid of hard work. I don't mind being alone for long periods of time - in fact I sometimes prefer to be away from people. However, I am not about to knowingly place myself in a bad or dangerous situation.

I agree: our society seems to have lost a lot of basic respect and decency. Meaness and greed seem to be the watchwords at the present time.

Thanks again!

 

I was referring to both independent and company-provided truck driving schools.

In my experience, expecting people to be decent and honest is normal, not high expections. I am completely ingnorant about this industry, hence researching as much as I can. I'd be foolish not to . . .

 

Our community college no longer offers a truck-driving training program. Some issue with federal funding for students. I live in a remote area, not a lot of things deemed normal in larger communities.

I was referring to both independent trucking schools and company-sponsored programs, as far as being mills, dirty and attracting low-quality people. I am female, so reasonably have fears about my personal safety. But I am not helpless nor stupid.

I just want an interesting job that I can do well while earning a modest living. Don't think those are particularly high expectations, either . . .

 

I get what you saying in all, however the statement about "expect reasonable training facilities and accommodations" is somewhat wishful thinking.. but i could be wrong. When you find a company that has a facility which as clean as the white house or put training drivers in the Hyatt or something please let me know. Its not going to be all peaches and cream.....unless you go to community college like the previous folks have said.

 

You are very welcome. And it is obvious that you are determined to make an educated decision.

Are you finding bad conditions in conjunction with training? I have hear some living accommodations aren't too great.

What is it that has you having second thoughts?

 

Try a Vocational-Technical school. Surely there is one reasonably close (within 1-2hr drive) that offers a driving program. You are hitting the nail on the head with your analysis, you already see reality of driver training.

Make sure the program you use is at least 320 hours. Good luck to you. Any other questions just ask!