Many Questions

I would encourage you to try and get your school paid for by ANYBODY other than the company you sign with. Leave your options open and owe no one anything.

Also, any company that is looking for you to run for 6 weeks at $300 or so a week is only looking for cheap labor. There is no reasonable purpose for this. Say "no" to this practice and keep looking.

There are good options out there for a new driver that pay well and give you the support you need. It takes work to find them, but they are out there.

 

I'm not sure about schools in the DFW area but when it comes to companies, most that will hire you right out of school will also be recruiting during your last 2 weeks of class. The major ones will be Warner, Prime, Covenant, your honest options for the first 2 years are very limited, as insurance issues prevent many companies from hiring people without at least 2 years under their belt. Unless you happen to know the owner and have an inside track.
If you are sure this is what you want to do don't let the school hype you up on unrealistic expectations.
1: You'll get to travel and see lands you've never seen before!
reality: You will only see what is off the major routes you take. If you want to make money your truck is never stopped long enough to really enjoy "The View" .
2: Our drivers average $50,000 a year!
reality: My first company didn't run me enough to top $30,000, after insurance and Taxes I was down to less than $20,000. It's expensive to live on the road, no matter how hard you try not to spend money.
3: We treat our driver like family!
reality: after working from the same terminal for 2 years, no one knew my name. Your going to be nothing but a truck number to them no matter how hard you try!
4: We get our drivers home!
reality: Although some are good about this it really has more to do with the load destinations. With my first company we had to be out for 21 days to get 2 days off. We usually opted to stay out for 2-3 months so that we could have a good week at home. After that long, even a week isn't enough time.
5: Our trucks are model your 2010!
reality: This may be the cause but there has been a few drivers before you in that truck. No new driver gets a new truck! You will spend many hours in a repair shop, or on the side of the road. Bring books and movies, they will get to you when they finish their dinner!

I'm not trying to scare you away, but I wished someone would have told me the truth before I got into this. best of luck and please drive safe!

 

3 months out? i couldnt do that.

 

I wouldn't stress or put to much thought into choosing a school. They are all pretty much the same. Some cheaper than others. Some are longer 3 -12 weeks. Some are just weekends etc... Point is they are just there to get you your CDL and prepare you to go with a trainer of your chosen company. You will most likely get more experience on day one over the road with your trainer then you will 3 weeks at a school. I think you will find, like most newbies, that once you get out on the road with your trainer that the driving aspect of it is the easiest part.

With that being said, your biggest decision will probably be private schooling, public schooling(community college) or schooling with a company or carrier. All of them have their advantages and disadvantages. What is boils down to is your individual needs.

What you really need to consider before forking over $6000.00 for school is if you really want to be a trucker. There is also the option of just getting a Class B license which is about $5900.00 cheaper. With that license you can drive a dump truck or box truck (like ups)

Good luck to you and welcome to the forum!

 

It was unbelievably hard! The day my 2 years was up, I called my current company begging for a job. Now, I drive harder, but I get at least 36 hours off every week. So much more gratifying!

 

I went to Stevens Transport in 1997 with no money in my pocket, I would recommend them. Had to work a year for them to pay off training cost, but they trained me well at their place and I still hear the slogans in my head they used to tell us. They are in Dallas, as long as you know what you are getting into and can adapt try them out.

 

If you go to a PTDI school, you should check out Crete Carrier. They will hire and you train for 8 weeks paid 500 week and then on your own. Thats who I am looking at as they hire in my area. You might also check out Millis Transfer, they have their own school you have to attend. That was my original choice but they dont hire south of dallas area.

 

It takes months to figure out what company would be the best for you imop.
They all have bad things and good things.
So many guys on here go with the first company that will take them only to come back a month later to start a thread
something-something never work them post.
I have never heard anything bad about Millis but i did hear the insurance was pretty bad.
I might be wrong but i thought i hear the medical doesn't kick in until you meet the deductable of 3k
I could be wrong though.
Everything else i have heard nothing but good things but as a married man with 2 boys i couldn't afford it.
Even though my company didn't require it i made sure i went to a school that was a PTDI school.

Prime on the other hand has their guys who swear that the company is great .
1 they do not hand you a truck for 60,000(i think) and to some you can't beat that.
2 then you have maybe 1/2 that hate them with a passion.
So look read and go to the truck stops cause you and only you can make the the call on what is best for you.

I hear alot of bad things about Swift and low and behold i have talked to many who think it is a great starting company.

But the main thing is to research the heck out of all of them that travel in your area,cause if you go with somebody that never has anything to get you home you will burn out on the road 90 days before you get a couple day off.
Understand though i still don't have a full year driveing i am a green horn(lol)
There is guys on here with 30+ that can give you a lot better advice than me,but i will still give you my take(lol)

But whatever you decide ,GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!