Advice and Perspective

Discussion in 'Trucking Schools and CDL Training Forum' started by StephenH, Sep 4, 2019.

  1. x1Heavy

    x1Heavy Road Train Member

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    HA I talk to a few bosses in my time. They are doing well and so am I, Im actually happy to thank them for the opportunity which led to other things here in Arkansas. If I was not transplanted ex-yankee city boy now trying to pretend to be a hill person I would be back on that hay farm or paving. Blind or not. Suns up get to work, get going yer late.

    Brand that on my tombstone. Get to work, get going yer late already. (Im not even here...)
     
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  3. Iowa80

    Iowa80 Light Load Member

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    Heavy's right.... 30 bucks. 5 in your class.. 1 will be dumb as a box of rocks... three will think they knowed it all already... 1 will actually be the nerd and study his pants off and get a great offer.

    Of the 5, three will also be desperate... and desperate Isn't where you want to be.
     
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  4. FoolsErrand

    FoolsErrand Road Train Member

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    You can borrow money you dont have, to pay someone to teach you something you dont know so that you can get hired to make money...

    Or you can apply for an entry level job where real work is being done and ACTUALLY learn the trade while getting paid to do so.

    Im not saying itll be easy or obvious how to do that... Just that it is possible. For example.. If i wanted to learn the scrap business i would go take a $10/hr job laboring at a scrapyard long before i paid someone to teach me how to "start at the top" .. Which is in itself a scam. No one starts at the top.

    This is how i have learned basically everything i know. Always gotten paid for my education. Except for a brief waste of time in community college. That was a huge ripoff.
     
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  5. Iowa80

    Iowa80 Light Load Member

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    Everyone thinks College is some sort of ticket.... Its becoming a dime a dozen and yet they still sell the idea that somehow that degree entitles you to better pay.

    What you do with what you have... or what you're passionate about... THAT is the REAL ticket. If you hate what you do you'll never succeed. FoolsErrand is so right... Hating what you do... and paying thousands to figure that out???? Epic waste of time. Don't let anyone tell you that you have to pay for four years (Or more) of college to figure out what you really want to do with your life... because that in itself is a self inflicted wound.

    Working hard... to me anyway, is a true test of guidance in figuring out your lot in life.
     
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  6. Iowa80

    Iowa80 Light Load Member

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    … and that's the other thing they're selling... Go to school, you start at the top.... which is why so many "leaders" are such dumb ###e$.... not a lick of sense in their chosen profession and most of them want to work less and earn six figures.... Sold down that river without a paddle... or a way home!
     
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  7. StephenH

    StephenH Light Load Member

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    I haven't posted for some time now but I would welcome more advice. I am looking at companies that offer veteran apprenticeship programs. There are a number of them and each offers a different amount for the monthly housing allowance which is non taxable income in addition to your paycheck up to two years. How would choose a company? Would you place more emphasis on who offers the most housing allowance or the company itself? The following are a few examples.
    1. J B Hunt $2952
    2. Stevens $2529
    3. Swift $2268
    4. Werner $1932
    5. Schneider $1647
    6. Roehl $1302

    Thanks for your perspective.
     
  8. lual

    lual Road Train Member

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    Swift has BOTH a terminal -- & a CDL driving academy -- just down the road from you, in Richmond:

    Swift Transportation Richmond, VA Terminal

    After you finish their initial CDL program -- you should be able to participate in their next school they call, "Top Gun" -- where you hone your backing & other driving skills:

    CDL Training & Truck Driving School in Richmond, VA by Swift

    &

    Swift has job opportunities for new drivers & recent graduates alike. Learn how a Swift truck driving job can help you propel your life forward!

    I started out with Schneider.

    Based on my CDL experience within the transportation industry -- I think Swift would later prove to be a better opportunity for you.

    -- L
     
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  9. lual

    lual Road Train Member

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    If you're still unsure about what freight with which to start -- note that dry van....will have the shortest & flattest learning curve.

    That's why most all the CDL schools use dry van trailers to teach their classes.

    Dry van experience will set you up to transition later to:
    • intermodal
    • refrigerated (aka, "reefer")
    You can do all of the above (& more) -- while you are part of Swift's fleet.

    Think about it....

    -- L
     
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  10. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    I haven't heard of housing allowance before. I know you get free lodging during cdl school, but never heard of the other you're posting about.
     
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