Am I making a mistake

It really comes down to what your personal situation calls for, and nobody knows that but you. If you can afford to pay for your own school, then awesome, go for it. But for those of us that can't afford it, there aren't many other avenues left to take.
For me, company training was the only route. I went with Schneider in Fontana, CA. They paid for everything, I got paid while going thru school, and I stuck with them and fulfilled my 1 year commitment, and I left on good terms.
Of course others would say that they'd never be a lsave to a company for their training, and that's fine to. If their situation is such that they can get in the door a different way, then awesome.
What it bols down to is doing what you gotta do, for yourself.

 

ok old man, if you can swing a student loan to pay for training, that's the better way to go, in my opinion. if you can't, then go train at swift and fulfill any contract or obligation you have to make....as you know, as we get older, time goes by faster and you'll have that year over (i hope it's only a year) before you know it.

good luck.

 

Well its all up to you, if you cant afford to pay for school yourself then you gotta go the company training route. It isnt all that bad just stick out the contract and move on to a better paying company. If your going with swift which im assuming you are by your post, they arent that bad. We just have a lot of drivers that dont like us because of what some other dumb swifty did to them or what have ya. Ive been with them for 3 and a half months now and no big complaints, can definately tell freights slowing down right now but its that time of year. You will still make money and they will try to keep ya rolling as best they can. I would suggest running 48 you will get more miles, I run Midwest regional and freights a little slow up here right now. If you got any questions holler back at me and Ill try to answer them best I can. Good luck to you and god bless.

 

Have you checked with your community colleges for a CDL program?
You can secure student loans and grants via the college.
If that is an option, IMHO it would be a better choice.
Plus, I'm sure Trans Companies send representatives to the colleges to recruit.

 

Most states have tax deductions for educational expenses. Most companies reimburse the cost of schooling if you work for them. These companies who are training you are not really doing you any favors. They may be charging you 3 times as much as you could get on your own and you're stuck with them. Most people in my class got 3 or 4 offers before class was out and that was without looking very hard. If you get your license on your own ,you can pick the company that suits you best. If you're happy with what they offered you, then it's okay, I guess? Every situation is different. If they try to lease you a truck...run like hell!

 

My course was 1 quarter-10 weeks. They offered a grant and had trouble finding a taker. I just charged it on the credit card and wrote it off at tax time. I don't see how paying 3 times as much and living on starvation wages during 2 months of "company training"...hehe...is going to put you any farther ahead than going to school on your own and getting a job with a company that will allow you to make a decent living?

 

not all grants are the same - nor are all schools the same. SAGE, for instance, accepts WIA grant money, and - since it's full time schooling - you are done in 4 weeks.

Just a thought