Tax Credit for Hire/Training exchange: Incentives for New Driver bringing a check to the party?

Thanks for your input, fellas.

@19d nailed it: Post 9/11 is the only benefit they upgraded to "forever" status so I'm wrestling with the VA to extend my delimiting date on the Chap 30 entitlement I still had remaining-unused. Paraphrasing McArthur, I'm not saying hope has become "forlorn", but you know what a time-suck the appeals process can be, and I'm not looking to sit around on hands that could be better served on the wheel.

The half dozen certified (non-company affiliated) schools I've called around to have hours completion component of 120-180 that they will try and convince you is either state or federally mandated. I'm one of those silly people who enjoy reading dense regulations, though, and those claims are just B.S. In fact, the guidelines state the opposite - instead relying on skills based qualification. But, 120-180 hours you spend in a certified program are what helps reduce insurance costs to employers hiring new drivers so I get it.

@Chinatown - I've done and continue to do the research and am going into the driving role with eyes wide open. I agree it's a simple process to find a company out there willing to inflate/throw a value figure on their cost of schooling in order to increase a contractual obligation in paying it back through drive time/miles and/or real $ payroll deductions.

I wouldn't say I'm making it complicated or even trying to be difficult. I just understand I bring a certain addl value to driving in an industry where drivers are in demand so I'm able to clearly articulate the value I'm offering when negotiating something approximating a fair exchange for that value.

@x1Heavy - I'm not going to let my pride get in the way of any street-corner appearances, just as long as I can equitably share in the profits. There are both time (length of employment) and income (how much paid) components to the tax credit so the longer they keep me and the more they pay me the more my new company earns.

I drove "deuce and a halves" with M35 trailers in tow to/from plenty of field exercises without incident and with the CLP and DOT physical already knocked out, I've pretty much done everything I can do on my own to demonstrate my commitment to this move. If you guys think it would help, I'll take an hour or two for Hazmat endorsement study and go in to test out for that at the DMV as well to get it added to my license. I know the real training begins with pre-trip anyway...

To all: Thanks for the leads and info. All knowledge is learning and, therefore, good. Let me know if you have anything more to add. And, if you get any referral benefits through your respective companies at application, let me know how I can help you out.

Victor