Need reality check, are my expectations realistic???

As a graduate of a Community College program, I can say that I endorse using it if you are able.

I would say do not limit yourself to the larger "starter" companies. While I had them as a backup if needed, I was able to get on with a smaller (125 trucks) company based right in my area. Good benefits, nice equipment (All KW '08 and newer) and home every weekend with all the miles I want. Make sure you look around your area. I'll bet there are trucking companies right in your backyard that you may not even be aware of..............

 

Elendil is right on.....

also a graduate of a community college program, I found in my research before starting schooling that they generally have better and more in-depth programs than the stand-alone mills that most 3-4 week schools are....and if you are going the 3-4 week route, that's all it is going to be is a mill, community college or not.....3-4 weeks is not enough time to get the type of training that is going to get you anything but just the basic to get the license, not anything beyond that in terms of different conditions, road and traffic situations or weather.....my program was a comprhensive 8 weeks, 10 hours a day, and i won't even tell you how little i paid because if the community college system in your state is going to burn you 4k for 4 weeks, well, that's just excessive......by about 4 times......maybe the state subsidization in ky is much less than nc but the state administers and funds a good portion of our programs and the school is also a licensed third party administrator so we made no trip to the dmv either.....but, the program was so much harder than what the state requires, by the time we passed the school qualifications for the coursework, the state tests were a breeze.....

we had the larger bfi's showing up to recruit but the college also had some smaller, more regional and local companies come in as well and they had much more to offer in terms of acceptable pay, equipment, hometime and corporate cultures.....

i got on with a smaller company before i even graduated, running newer equipment, home everyweekend, 100% no touch and mostly drop and hook and the pay beats the bfi's by about 50% to the plus side......they are out there just don't fall for the bs the recruiters are going to shoot you....they are nothing but used car salesmen, and there were some good ones come through the school at that......hell, they even almost had me believing some of it till i remembered who the company was they were with lol......just do your research, do your homework, especially on this site, take everything with a grain of salt, and go the comm college route if you can......and don't overlook anything local and smaller they may just be willing to talk to you or have contacts within the school already

i would say the numbers you're looking for are in the attainable ballpark as long as you keep a good attitude and don't just jump on the first company that offers you something

 

I have done a lot of research in this area. I spoke to company recruiters as well as several community colleges. The prices ranged from $3900 to $8000. I opted to attend a driver accredited school in Phoenix. It costs $4200 but it is self paid and I don't have to worry about being tied to a company for a year after I graduate. I am applying at a lot of companies now before I attend school in hoping to get some better offers than Swift or Werner have to offer. Good luck and I hope it works out for you.

 

I don't see any flaws in your plan. If you can get the funding to go to the community colllege go for it. You won't be beholden to any company and you have more choices in where you want to go. You also have the added security of being on unemployment while you are going to school so you can take a longer course and not have to worry about not making any money. The only downside that I see is how long it will take to get into one of the classes. You need to try to get in as fast as you can before your unemployment runs out.