company paid schools

This is very self limiting and unnecessary. If you've never learned to drive a stick, you can be just as easily trained to do so and even EASIER to train than someone who can drive a stick. It has been my experience that training people who have never driver a manual transmission are easier to train as they do not have to "unlearn" the differences in operating a synchronized and non synchronized transmission. It is also very limiting as there are more and more states that will place a restriction on your CDL that will keep other companies from hiring you.

As for paid training, there honestly is no such a thing. You will be signing a contract for the cost of your training and the various carriers will off set your training pay conditionally for time worked or they will pay on the contract for training that you receive from a training school until it is paid off for a period of time. If you leave that carrier, the deal is off. You CAN certainly leave the training carrier or the company that trained you, but you will then own them for the training and that is fair.

 

Awoesome.. now, be sure to research and think through your decisions.. don't be in too big of a rush..


How is you MVR.. have you had any tickets or DUI

Also,.. anything in your background.. felony or misdemeanor

And how has your work history been the last 3 years

 

Driving a manual transmission is not that difficult to learn. Truth be told, once you get some experience, you won't double clutch anyway. Once you learn your truck and understand road speed, you will know when you need to shift by hearing the engine.

 

Standard transmissions are a sinch in a semi, since you haven't learned in a 4 wheeler you won't have to re-learn for a semi. Find a good school. not many companies use auto's and you will be real limited if you don't learn manual. Also don't use a company school. Go to a private school or you will get screwed. Remember by using a companies school you are agreeing to work off the tuition for 3-4 years. if you leave the company early you will have to pay the full tuition and it is usually at least triple what you would have paid an independent.