A couple of questions about sponsored training...

4-5 weeks with a trainer. I forget the exact pay but its something like: Weeks 1-2 @ $365, Weeks 2-4 @ $400, Weeks 5-6 @ $450

 

Yep... the major companies like Central ref pay for everything except your food... when I worked for them a few years ago I had to pay $90 for my DOT Med card but I already had my CDL when I went.... but that was it... I think once your with your trainer you can get an advance of 200 on your comdata card.

 

When I was there Central Obtained new contract with the country inn....So the Hotel is really nice with pool, hot tub, Flat screan TV's, and Really nice clean rooms.

If you plan is to obtain your CDL through Central all cost's except $40 permit fee and food are included in the Tuition. The school is fast paced but the trainers on the yard are incredibly patient and great people. I really appreciated how they treated us.

I actually had a blast the entire time I was there....Even during the stressful road testing and back testing at the yard. They do there very best to make sure everyone passes although I remember 3 people that failed because , for whatever reason, They just couldnt pick up on how to shift at all......one couldnt back in between the cones after all the practice.

I was not very good at any of it but I ground those gears enough to pass my road test and back into my spot.lol

Time out with the trainer is when you develop your skills. The school is just to get your CDL and some very basic skills.....Or a refresher if you already have a CDL.

 

I went to the Swift Driving Academy in Phoenix. They also have training in Idaho and Tenn. Swift will pay for a greyhound bus from your home town to the academy. They will loan you the $500 for the 18 days of motel stay. Your out of pocket expenses are food and DMV fees, plus you have to get a DOT physical from an approved clinic before the academy.

The pay with a mentor is $450 for weeks 1 to 4 then $500 for weeks 5 & 6. Once solo they payroll deduct for the hotel ($500) and the school ($3,900). Academy starts every Monday.

 

Pets are forbidden. Any you see on the road are either grandfathered or illegal.

 

All this above is spot on. I'm going thru the process myself right now. You pay a little more for Swift up front (see fees, etc. above) but you get better pay during training with Swift.

 

Is Central pretty decent to work for? I've read a lot of negative things. It makes me wonder if most bad things are said by the people who don't make the cut...