New to the industry

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by blaze2222, Nov 2, 2010.

  1. Nov 2, 2010 #1
    blaze2222

    blaze2222 Bobtail Member

    3
    0
    Nov 1, 2010
    Mt. Airy, MD
    0
    I've been reading quite a few posts on here trying to figure out my best path to start a career as a truck driver. I understand all the... What's the best word for it? Downsides? I understand being away from home for long periods of time, being stuck in a "small closet" (as i've read in one post) for 11 hours a day. I understand all of that.

    What my problem is, I have basically no money. I know I need to go to school to get my CDL. But I have no way to pay for it. I was told my best choice will be to go with a company that has a school so I'm almost guaranteed a job out of school. However from what I've read on here, most of the ones I thought of going with seem to have conflicting opinions/experiences with them.

    Any suggestions on how i should go about getting my CDL and getting a job or the best schools or companies i should consider?
     
    blaze2222, Nov 2, 2010
    blaze2222, Nov 2, 2010
    #1
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  3. Nov 2, 2010 #2
    Kickmeagain

    Kickmeagain Bobtail Member

    11
    3
    Oct 30, 2010
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    Not to sound like a jerk, but this question has been answered about 500 times. Just read some posts. The school section is a good place to start. There are a lot of federal programs that will pay as well. WIA is one of them.
     
    Kickmeagain, Nov 2, 2010
    Kickmeagain, Nov 2, 2010
    #2
    ChainBinder Thanks this.
  4. Nov 2, 2010 #3
    ChainBinder

    ChainBinder Light Load Member

    129
    51
    Oct 27, 2010
    Frankfort, Indiana
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    What He Said...
     
    ChainBinder, Nov 2, 2010
    ChainBinder, Nov 2, 2010
    #3
  5. Nov 2, 2010 #4
    dave_0755

    dave_0755 Light Load Member

    207
    61
    Oct 24, 2010
    Jonesboro,AR
    0
    It's not for everyone. If you want to do it then think long and hard and research research research.

    The reason you hear a lot of negative comments on the "starter" companies is because they take advantage of the drivers. Why? Because they can...and because they know that there is an endless supply of new drivers out there wanting to get started in trucking.

    When the students stop graduating from trucking schools then they will change. Until then they will be the way they are. Unfortunately.
     
    dave_0755, Nov 2, 2010
    dave_0755, Nov 2, 2010
    #4
  7. Nov 2, 2010 #5
    chompi

    chompi Road Train Member

    5,653
    3,485
    Jun 21, 2008
    Deland, FL
    0
    There are grants and government help you may qualify for. If not then go the company school route. There really is no difference in paying a bank or signing a contract with a company. If you default on your company contract then you just have to pay them as if you were paying back a normal loan. Check out Central Ref. They are a good medium sized company and have a pretty decent training program. Driver pay is probably right about average however their equipment is always brand new. Check out some of the Central Ref. threads on this website. I drove for them and did pretty well. They also went above and beyond on several occasions to help me out.
     
    chompi, Nov 2, 2010
    chompi, Nov 2, 2010
    #5
    dave_0755 Thanks this.
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