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Thinking of Going To Driving School

Discussion in 'Trucking Schools and CDL Training Forum' started by 1680, Apr 19, 2010.

  1. Apr 19, 2010 #1
    1680

    1680 Bobtail Member

    1
    0
    Apr 18, 2010
    Santa Cruz, CA
    0
    Hi everybody. I apologize in advance. I am sure you have heard questions like this many, many times before.

    I am considering going to a truck driving school in my area to earn my license and try to get a job as a truck driver. I am not sure if I am cut out for truck driving jobs were I would be away from home for days or weeks at a time. I would be very interested in a good paying truck driving job were I would be able to come home every night! I live in Santa Cruz in Northern California not too far from San Jose.

    Are truck driving jobs were I can come home each night hard to come by?

    I read in one thread that truck driving schools try to convince you that you can get a job fairly quickly, but the reality is that it is very, very difficult to land a job once you go through the school due to the bad economy. Is this true?

    I have also read that truck driving schools are very hard to pass and that for every 1 graduate there are 10 who quit or fail?

    I may be losing my county job due to the horrible economy and have money saved to pay bills for a few months and go to a truck driving school, but don't know if it's a good idea after hearing some of the bad truck driving school stories.

    Any advice or coments would be appreciated! Thanks in advance.
     
    1680, Apr 19, 2010
    1680, Apr 19, 2010
    #1
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  3. Apr 19, 2010 #2
    The Challenger

    The Challenger Kinghunter

    7,127
    3,367
    Dec 22, 2007
    East Central FL
    0
    1680,

    First off, welcome to the forum. Some people on here will tell you going OTR for two years is your best chance of getting a local job. Some big companies like Schneider, FFE, Swift have local jobs in select areas.

    As for being out on the road, you generally get 1 day to a day and a half of home time per week out. Some companies have dedicated and regional routes meaning your home every weekend or home 1 day a week.

    For truck driving schools, check into local community colleges and see if they offer any CDL training as local community colleges are cheaper than CDL schools like Roadmaster, Sage and other ones. Best of luck.

    KH
     
    The Challenger, Apr 19, 2010
    The Challenger, Apr 19, 2010
    #2
  4. Jul 23, 2010 #3
    NJBubba

    NJBubba Bobtail Member

    4
    0
    Jul 23, 2010
    Newark, NJ
    0
    Hi, everyone.

    I am brand new here. I am laid off and can't find a job in my chosen fields (Journalism, English instruction) and I do not want to end up permanently homeless.

    I want to become a truck driver, but honestly, know nothing about it. I was going to sign up with PAM or USA Trucking and go to their school out in Indiana until I saw some of the postings here.

    I need a job and would love to get my CDL. Since it's just me, (my son's in the Marines for life), I can stay away from home as long as needed. I actually no longer have a home anyway. I know most of you are mad busy and are probably tired of answering questions from fellas like me. But I need some good advice.

    What training school do you recommend? I am on unemployment and apparently all the grant money for training has dried up in NY and NJ. At least, that's what I am being told by state officials in the unemployment and labor offices.

    Are some company CDL training programs better than others? I'd appreciate any feedback and I apologize if I am bothering anyone. But I am down on my luck and really want to pull myself up.
     
    NJBubba, Jul 23, 2010
    NJBubba, Jul 23, 2010
    #3
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