Company Training vs. Vocational School

Completely depends on your situation and which Company-Paid program you attend (Heads up, stay away from CR England). I would do as follows:

- Research private and/or community colleges (if available in your State) first and see if there is a way into one of those schools.
- Research Company-Paid programs if you are unable to get funding for private.

Good luck

 

company school require you to stay at least a year. private school you havwe to pay upfront but most companies will reinburse you with monthly payments.

 

I would do more research and find a company that you think you can live with for a year. Then I would find out who they use for a school. When I worked at
USA Truck and was doing my road test the instructor said. "its nice to get someone who can drive, I get alot of students that can't but the schools send them anyway."
I went to school thru CRST. They sent me to a school in little rock the first time but do to some family issues I had to leave after only 2 days. It was terrible. The students (3week veterans)who were getting ready to be sent thru to CRST were all complaining that they did not feel ready and after watching them that day I agreed. Where you slept was basically an office area of a truck shop, cotts in every square inch of the office space. Walking room only. In fairness to CRST I am told they don't use that school anymore.
The 2nd school they sent me to when my family situation was resolved was much better. I had a hotel room with a kitchenette and i roommate. The school really makes a huge differance. That's my experiance. Hope it helps.

 

As a student, I've chosen an 8 week community college program. They require you to come in with a Learner's Permit, so you're not wasting valuable class time studying the State CDL handbook. It was also cheaper than most private CDL programs I found, which in my area tend to be 3-4 weeks. One was only 17 days. I have a little savings, so I had the flexibility to choose among options. I'll let ya know how it goes.

 

Ladyfire, the choice you made was the absolute best one. Lots of those "company" schools are nothing but puppy mills that squirt out unqualified drivers every couple of weeks. They then place them in trucks with Company drivers for a time and some of those "trainers" have only a year behind the wheel...that is a prescription for disaster. In the setting you have chosen you will get better training and most most if not all of will be be with instructors that have had decades of experience. Best of luck to you!

 

There are a lot of bad stories about CRE, Swift, Prime, but I am going with CRE. I know people who have and as long as you prepare for the worst and plan to make little to money for a while. Don't lease! I think I will be ok. I have a lot of friends and family in trucking and I have been warned. I won't lease and I am using them to upgrade my class B to and A and some OTR experience. I do know of some drivers that have had good experiences with them. I plan on working hard, praying for good trainers and soaking up every bit of knowledge I can from anyone I can. If all else fails after I get my CDL I will move on owe them some tuition and go to work for a smaller company and pay them back (don't want to ruin my credit). I am up for an adventure and prepared to live out of a truck. I have planed and I think I am ready.

 

Good luck to both you gals! Drive safe!

 

Ladyfire, you may want to check out epes transport (sent you a pm) . Best of luck to both of you!