Questions from a wannabe...

There is a school in Dallas/Ft. Worth named Continental. They self finance and they do have housing for students. You have to come up with about $600 for a down payment, then there are equal payments that come due every month. I think they start about 90 days after you graduate and get a job.

They do have companies that hire from them, and probably some of them will reimburse your school costs without you having to sign a contract with them. My understanding is that they also have oilfield companies that hire from them, which is something you may want to consider too.

I think your best bet is to get out of FL and start with a company somewhere else. My understanding is that trucking in FL pays worse than just about anywhere else in the country. Texas is a good place to be based out of, no matter what type of trucking you do. Depending on where you are at in FL, D/FW is probably about a days drive away.

I used to live in FL, so it would not surprise me if that was true. I lived there, but made it a point to make my living elsewhere. I would have gone broke working for the wages they offer in that state.

BTW, I don't work for Continental. I didn't even attend their school. I was going to, but I was able to get into a school closer to my home. But the people I talked to were all pretty positive about the school and said it would be a good choice. And IIRC, a couple of the companies that recruit from them pay new drivers higher rates than most starter companies. So, buyer beware and all that, but it seems like it would not be a bad way to break in.

Good Luck with whatever you decide to do.

 

If they hire out of Florida, check with Central Refrigerated or Stevens Transport. Those were the two that I was looking at to start with. Ultimately, I'm going with Central, simply because Stevens won't start my training until I turn 22 next month, which conveniently would be around the time I'd finish the training. Despite all that, I start training with Central on Monday!

 

Then yeah, I'd recommend moving out of Florida. I've lurked here for awhile and I've heard that it's even hard to get hometime if you live there.

Thank you very much! I'll make the best out of it.

 

Check the Comcar website; they are based in Auburndale and have their own CDL school. Tuition free if you stay a year.

Southern Refrigerated Transport - bus ticket to the school furnished, free hotel room, free 3 meals a day while in their CDL school.

Ask questions about training pay with any company. Most don't start training pay until you complete their CDL school and are on the road with a trainer

 

Look at Roehl, right now they're covering lodging, and you're done with your obligation in a year, and they start at .32/mi for van. I've also heard they're good to work for, and that their training is good, too.

 

I don't know if P.A. M. is one of your candidates, but if it is I can answer questions for you, just PM me.
No money up front, nice bonus if you get Hazmat endorsement. I've had a very positive experience with this company. Shaving your monthly expenses would go a long way towards ensuring that you fulfill your contract, since doing so would remove heavy financial loads from the equation in case some weeks you sit waiting for truck repair or simply a slow freight week. Expect to drive a 10speed International Prostar, which would not have been my first choice but I've grown to appreciate it. Good luck!