Which way to go

Chief, maybe all you need is a refresher course. They'll brush you up, get you some road practice and get you ready take your exam with the DOT.

That said, either way Swift will require you to do the mentor time (6 weeks roughly).

As far as benefits of a company school vs private, it's a toss up depending on your situation. Company school is no money up front, but it's deducted from your pay. You are also beholden to that company for the contract time, typically 1 year.

Private school will cost you cash, but you aren't tied to the company. By your handle, I assume you are a retired Squid. The VA may pay for your school (disability retraining). Check it out. Also, there are grants and such from state and federal sources to assist.

My choice was a private school. VA covered the cost since I have 30% disability. When I went to Swift, I was free to stay with them or choose another job opportunity when it arose.

Best of Luck,
Pal

 

Community college is the way to go if you have one around. It is one of the few thinks in trucking I did that I don't regret.

 

Chief, FWIW:

I had an old bud that went to that CDL mill you are talking about. It has been about 8 years ago now, but just to let you know. . .

He has vision problems and never should have been accepted to the school in the first place. However, they DID accept him. But when it became obvious that he did not have the ability to judge his backing of a big rig, due to depth perception problems, they washed him out.

However he still had to pay the whole fee to them.

Yes, he is a hard headed stubborn individual who SHOULD have known better than to go this route. But I feel that they ripped him off by allowing him to ever get into it in the first place.

Just a word to the wise about that school. . .

 

You accepting any "Don't do it advice" or do you want the rainbows and lollipops version? Why are you thinking about this as opposed to enjoying the security job and retirement. The grass is always greener. I wish I could afford to do a security job to get some exercise. I got my wish for a driving job in a way but all I do is drive and it's hard to get enough exercise.

 

I hate that BS rule for ex Spouses who cheats and now get paid. I went thru R-TAP this week and we had alot of Upset males but that is da law