Trucking School Dilemma

I am with Stevens.
They are not a bad trucking company to start with. However, I did not go to their school at Dallas. I went to a different school separate from them but they approved of. Do you know who your recruiter is? Do you have anything in writing about anything they told you? If you have it in writing, I would demand they send you home at their cost. Get that in writing too.
Like I said, for starting off, they are not bad. But, I don't know why people stay there for years on end. You have to start somewhere. If you don't have anything in writing, I would go upstairs, into the recruiting office and talk directly to your recruiter.
I am so sorry this happened to you. there is no reason for things like this to happen.

I have heard of them charging you for the tuition, hotels, etc, and tacking on extra percent if you quit before a year. I know if you go to their school, or have them reimburse you for your school, you will have to sign a contract for a year. However I never heard of it being three years, that is ridiculous. like I said, I went to a separate school, and I actually did not have them reimburse me for any of it. If you can get a loan for school, go somewhere else for four weeks and then go back for orientation I recommend doing that. I feel really bad that there isn't anything I can do for you.


I have heard that Prime is really good for training, Maybe while you are there, give them a call and tell them what is going on. If you get hired, I know they will pay for your bus ticket. I would call them right away and see what they can do to help you.

Post back with an update!

 

Stay on, chalk it all up to experience, get your drive time and you can go wherever you want.

You feel bad right now, in a tight spot, but it could always be worse.

 

Did you check into any other companies?? Millis and Roehl would be much better options and far less money if you don't stay. Prime's worth checking out as well. Everyone's situation is different but I'd be out of there but I also can afford schooling on my own and wouldn't go to Stevens to begin with. Honestly if you did spend much time on here you should have known the better starting companies. If nothing else this is a good learning post for others. Don't get into this totally broke, make sure you've got something saved if you need to leave and go back home, have an out. $6000.00 is too much for training. Roehl and Millis are only $3000-$3500.Unfortunately with your situation you've painted yourself into a corner and only you can make that decision. I wish you the best I really do. I hope everything works out for you. If anyone's going to rely on a company to put them through school they should get in writing how much of the cost is covered and what the commitment length is before they go.

 

If you leave to find another way, if you have been out of work for a while, there are government financial aid deals to pay for CDL school. I was put out of a job when my plant was closed. We had a rep from Workforce Services come in with options for us. Through the Workforce Investment Act, I went to a local community college and took their 4 week course with all license fees, testing and everything included all paid for. ($4800) class if paid yourself. If you get out from under this deal, there are some options out there if you qualify. Make some phone calls first to make sure it's available for you. There might be a program to pay at least part of the training you are in now. Good luck to you.

 

In went through Stevens school. They have a pretty screwey way of doing the school financing that makes it hard to understand. Essentially it will cost you aroumd $4000 when it is all paid off. You can pay it off in the first year and it is only $3200 if I remember right. Staying a year, locks in the interest free term, meaning you can go somewhere else, and while you will still owe Stevens the rest of your location, you can continue to pay it at $25 a week with non additional interest.

It is not a bad company, The training is thorough and there are miles availible so that paying back the tuition is pretty painless.

Good Luck whatever you decide to do.

 

WOW! It sounds like a pretty lousy spot to be in... I think there might be some method of getting an unemployment office involved... churning you guys/gals through that meat grinder isn't doing ANYONE a service... I guess now I can sort of figure out why Stevens trucks irritate me so much on the mountain passes! They obviously have taken a page out of Swift's book... nonetheless, I'd start looking into getting out of that mess and involved with a more responsible truck line... I know how hard it can be to break into this industry, but selling your soul should NEVER be an option... best of luck to ya, partner.