24yo no-lifer, need company / newbie advice.

The state is paying for his training. Any company that will train him for the CDL will hire him out of private school, he just won't have to sign a contract, which is what they really want. They're not training students because they don't trust other schools, they're doing it because they want indentured servants. They'll still take free agents, as will every other company that doesn't have their own program.

 

Congrats. Good luck. CDL school is designed to get you to pass your state test. Not necessarily designed to teach you to drive. Play the game, don’t let the game play you!

 

sounds fun applying to jobs with zero driving experience

 

There are companies around me that will hire inexperienced drivers who have a cdl already. Pay is generally about 5% higher than any company that provides cdl instruction.

If a driver isn't under contract, and they find a better fit, they can leave under their own terms. If the driver is under contract, and a spot opens at their dream job, it can set them back years.
Plus, a lot of companies will reimburse cdl costs.

Finally, I have never seen or heard of a fvtc grad failing orientation due to skill issues.

 

100% of truck drivers were, at one time, hired with no experience.

 

And the annual turnover rate is 90%

 

Haters gonna hate. Going thru a grant and walking into a job holding a paid off CDL is the best move. That’s exactly what I did. It’s hard enough without having the threat of a $6000 bill hanging over your head.

 

I came out of the womb with 3 years experience driving flatbed

 

yeah but he doesn’t have the benefit of all those Eastern European 1099 companies like you