Big company training and big scams associated with them !!!

That'll work if you can find a smaller company that will take you on and train you...

Problem is in this economy, there are a heck of a lot less smaller companies that are needing help or expanding - yet.

So it comes down as you mentioned to the lesser of the evils. There are serious bottom feeder companies that do practically nothing to train you, and throw you in the deep end. If you get in an accident, well... so sorry, you the driver are at fault. Ultra low pay. Tuition scams. Creeps for trainers. You name it.

It depends on what you find, who will take you on, and what you are comfortable dealing with. Too many folks are not interested in getting good training for a career in trucking, but are looking for the shortest training cycle so they can get out on the road. That's bad for everyone.

 

This is correct but there is even more.

$2500 for school and $2500 for the 'trainer'.

Basically, if you pay the $500 down they deduct the $2000 over the course of the 1st year. Ok. Thats fine. At that point, your done paying for school but if you quit then (at the 1yr point) - you suddenly owe another $2500...unless you STAY one more year.

Thats for the 'trainer' time out on the road. So technically, schooling actually costs $5000.

As long as you stay for the full 2yrs, you only have to repay the $2500 for the schooling costs and your free and clear.

An EXCELLENT Certified IL school program only costs $4100 for the 4 week course. But, Millis will NOT consider you if you haven't gone to their school and/or have min 1yr OTR. People that go to a CDL school and then want to go to Millis must redo 'their' school and of course pay additional.

Still, this is probably one of the best (if not THE best) companies, especially to start with but if you don't read the FINE print - and think your free & clear after 1yr (like most companies).....well.....



-H

 

I'm gonna use the "P" word cactusjack, so don't get your panties in a twist.

Prime forgives half the tuition at 6 months, and you're free to go after 1 year with no fianancial penality. It's $1725 after 6 mos. There policy on outside CDL schools varies from month to month - that's how I came in. As far as I know, you have to get your CDL through them right now.

 

Don't recall about immediate release...

There are pros and cons. The outside schools are more classroom intensive. Prime CDL training is primarily hands-on, and real world situations. I know some folks have complained about a lack of backing experience, but then again, how much do you get at a school? The one adavantage I see in the third-party schools is the breadth of subjects they give you... that is more dependant on the knowledge of the CDL instructor in one of the company programs, and quite frequently that can be limited. However, even the schools can be crappy - US Truck Driving School and their approach with 4 or 5 students in the truck at once not only means that the worst driver gets the time, but it sucks as well.

 

Some how, the picture of cactusjack with his panties in a twist is NOT pretty!

OK, to get back on track here, (never let it be said that I would be one to derail a thread)

I had heard that SWIFT actually owned another trucking company out of SLC. I can't remember now which one it was, but I'm thinking either Central Ref or PRIDE.

Also there is, (or at least there used to be) an outfit out of Tucson that was supposedly a "stand alone" company, but all they did was contract hauling for SWIFT. The interesting thing about this, is that the few drivers that I talked to for this company seemed to be both intelligent and happy with the company.

This is sort of confusing, seeing as how unhappy most of the SWIFT drivers are that I have known. How can a contractor for a company be better to work for than the company itself???

Also, when I worked for KNIGHT, they would not even talk to someone with less than two years verifiable OTR experience. I have heard that has changed, but as rough as they were to work for as an experienced driver, I would really hate to see a rookie have to deal with them.

Also I believe they own, or used to own Roads West, out of Phoenix.