company school or driving school?

The big thing for me with company paid training was that if you get in a bad situation -- and there are bad situations even at the best of companies -- you either have to put up with it, or quit. If you quit even after 11 1/2 months, you still pay the full training costs at most companies (Roehl was the only exception I've seen of a pro-rated tuition payback, but I'm sure there are others). Also, if they decide to fire you -- for whatever reason -- you also owe the full tuition amount. If you're unemployed, did you check into a WIA grant to pay for school? Go to your local umemployment office and see if you qualify -- it can't hurt. If you decide that company paid training is your best option, then there are a few things you should be sure of up front.

1. Make sure it is with a good company -- Schneider and Crete are two decent companies. This way, you eliminate much of the dumb stuff you would encounter at a company like Swift et al.

2. Find out how the on the road training will work with you and your wife. You each will probably have to go out for a number of weeks over the road with separate trainers. Find out how long, and whether or not they have female trainers for your wife to go with. If not (and many companies don't have enough female trainers so there may be a wait of several weeks to a month or more for one) make sure your wife will be comfortable going on a truck with a male trainer. Most trainers will be professional and wish to avoid any 'problems', but there are always those few that you have to watch out for.

3. Make sure you have assurances from the company that you and your wife will be allowed to drive as a team after training is complete. If you can get this in writing, that would be even better.

4. When you and your wife go on the truck with your trainers, make sure you ask as many questions as you need to, and get as much experience as you can doing things like backing, trip planning etc. When you are off the trainers' truck, you and your wife will be out there on your own so the more you learned while you were with an experienced driver, the better. Also, if either one of you has a problem with your trainer, go through the proper company channels to get a different one. Never, ever, get off of a trainers truck unless you feel your safety is in jeopardy.

5. Don't let any company talk you into leasing a truck when your training is finished. Listen, smile and when they want you to sign, just say no. They will make it sound like you'll be rolling in dough by leasing your own truck, but just don't do it. You can find plenty of posts on here about lease agreements that should tell you why you shouldn't.

I'm sure there are some things I have forgotten, I'll count on the more experienced members to fill in the gaps. Good luck to you and keep us posted on your progress.

 

In a nutshell, get into a good College sponsored 200 hour CDL training school. You will be free to choose who you work for and not stuck to a contract.

Just my 2 cents.

 

I would say,if you can swing it go to a school and pay for it.I would hate to feel like I was owned by a trucking company,even if it was just a year.Once you get thru school and obtain your CDL there are thousands of jobs waiting to be filled.Get some kind of a student loan.

 

It may have been only your 2 cents but thats a wealth of sound advice

 

don't get trapped into comapny sponsored schools. got independant, and pay the bill yourself. you'll feel better in the end not owing a trucking company.

 

wow--I just got my a for less than a grand in so calif. private school. what's this 12k stuff? company policy? special company training like wet and frozen driving? All I have done so far is ready mix over last summer--no t&t. just got my a in nov.

 

Less than $1,000 . . . That's Southeast Community College in Lincoln, Nebraska. I can't see forking over $3,000 to a company just so you can work for them. Crete and many other companies end up hiring from there. So they say. I specifically spoke with a Crete recruiter. He says you can apply with the company beforehand; and if you do well enough, they'll hire you out of school. That's coming from the recruiter, though, so take it with a grain of salt.

 

I have looked into this subject myself . I have decided to go to a tech school it will total about $4,000 including all the test and lic fees for my state any then YOU GET TO CHOOSE WHO YOU WANT TO WORK FOR > But if you still want to spend $12,000 for school pay a tech school the $4,000 or so and sent the rest to ME> :smt038 (just kidding good luck )