Hello All

I would first like to say Hello to everyone out there. I am 50 yrs old now and since my kid is grown and there is nothing at home I decided to set out and see the US as an OTR Driver. I have been looking at several different schools. The local College in my area ofers a 4 week program, then Steven's Transport offers theirs along with Werner, Swift, CR England, and CRST. I have read many negitive things about them all and also some good comments. I would like to ask some other opinions and see what people in the industry has to say. So please send me your thoughts.
Thanks!

 

Thanks for the input. My problem right now is that my unemployment is about to run out. I have to wait untio mid January for the college to start another class. I can start with Steven's December 8th and start getting paid a little right about the time my money will quit. I hear that their training is good, but I also hear they are not good to their drivers. So at this point I don't really know where I will go or what direction to take.

 

This Morning I went to a Driver Seminar that one of the Very Large Companies I was thinking about. Now I must admit that their equipment was Grand and there was Alot of it. The First Orientation was 4 days Sunday thru Wednesday (unpaid). Now comes the 3 weeks training (unpaid). I also find that the Bus Ticket to the location, the Hotel while I am there training as well as the Meals I will eat are paid for, but I will have to sign a note to have $25. a week withdrawn from my paycheck when I start getting one. My 3 week (unpaid) Training Class will cost $5995. + 19% interest and $26. will be deducted from my $350. paychecks once I start the first 5 weeks of my OTR Training. Then back to the School for 4 1/2 days (unpaid) Orientation. Then I get to go OTR for 4 weeks # $425. for my Finishing Training, then OTR on my own for .26 a mile while the money will still be deducted from my check for the rest of my First Year. After that if I make it my School Debt will be forgiven and I will get out of 70% of it.
I know it's not much money, but hey it is at least a little.

On my way home I decided to drop by the Local College. I will have to wait till 01/07/10 for the class to start. The Cost of the class is $4200. all of which the State will Pay for me, this includes everything except my DOT Physical. The college has already pointed me into the direction of a Much Smaller Company who needs drivers that will give me .28 a mile for the first 8 weeks I drive. I have weighed this all out and have Decided that I will just have to live lean until I get out of College, shoot I'll get to start my new career out free of any additional Debt. I guess I will just have to be a WANNABE a little longer.

I would like to say Thanks to Everyone who has put their 2 cents worth in.