Company paid CDL......

i wouldnt do it at all. all the companys are screwing new drivers their is not $$$$ in it rite now wate a year or so and then look in to it again.

 

I was in the same boat when I entered the industry back in 2003. I went to a school in St. Louis, MO (MTC Driver Training) and was hired by PAM afterward. In exchange for my schooling, I had to work for them for a year. I was happy with them and stayed for 2. I had to pay back $1300 of my tuition costs through payroll deductions of $25/week. I believe they call this "shared tuition". If I were you, I would seek out a company that offers some sort of program like this. I had friends who went with Werner straight outta school and had to make complete payments back to the school for the next two to three years. That was more like a full blown school loan.

Now, part of the reason I was able to make it on the crappy pay per mile and seasonal low miles was because I was single, no kids, no rent, no car payment, etc. My only bill was my cell phone. That made those occasional $300 paychecks a lot easier to bear. If you've got anyone besides yourself counting on you to make a living, then I might consider following dogtruck's pessimistic advice. If it's just you, I'd suggest going for it but do your very best to find a company that offers shared tuition. I'm not even sure if PAM still has that program.

 

You need to be carefull with the job at whatever company you choose. You can get stuck with the training bill if the company lets you go.

With the economy the way it is and an increased driver pool, companies are less forgiving on mistakes and can set higher standards. You have an accident, even a non-preventable one... and find yourself without a job, without a decent amount of experiance, a blemish on your DAC that in this job market that can make you un-hireable to drive a truck... AND a bill for your training.

My company just raised the MPG min. and has indicated it will probably happen again by the end of the summer. Those that cant get the good fuel milage are being replaced by someone who can... that, no service failures (on-time), no accidents, and no DOT shutdowns (they expect us to run legal)

Do all that and you get to keep your job.

Im finishing up my first year out... 4 more weeks and I am free and clear of my debt. Im single, no one to support but myself, and very few bills... I cant imagine supporting a family with what is being made out here. I go 6-8 weeks without taking time off, because of this, no one rolls their eyes when I ask to go home for 4 days.

Back to your original question... A attractive factor would be a program that forgives your debt in 2 or more periods of time... Example, dont quit or get fired for 6 months and half your obligation is forgiven, finish a year and your free and clear.

 

i would do your research well. the trucking industry is flooded with new drivers. trucking isn't what it used to be. buti have been seeing more and more truckso n the road here lately. i would try warner. i hear they take just about anyone as long as you don't have a felony that isn't 10 year old. so just go looking around make your calls. stay on top of it