Best option for getting my cdl?

out of those 3; schneider, and go with their tanker division, you'll make the most, plus the tanker experience really opens a lot of doors after a year: a lot of other high paying jobs hauling bulk materials, petrol companies, oilfield, etc...

 

No matter what company you go with, they'll give you their version of training even if you have your CDL already (they'll just skills the basics and classroom stuff toward the CDL), and you'll go out with a trainer for the prescribed amount of time they require, so you'll have to be able to handle being out of work for the class AND whatever unpaid time the company requires for their training. Getting your CDL first is a far better way to go, because it gives you ALOT better flexibility.

That said: I was told that Pell Grants aren't available for trucking school because the school is too short (4weeks); however, when one factors in the unpaid training time at the company, would THAT time PLUS the class time make the grant possible???

 

I think our point is that you need to take the independent class first: it will open ALOT more possibilities for you, without being beholden to ANYONE.

There really is no question, if you can take a class first and get your CDL, absolutely do it.

 

If you can, go to private CDL school. As you probably know, there are several in your area in Christiana and Murfreesboro. For trucking company schools, R.E. West in Lebanon has one with no contract.
Here's some good high paying companies that hire new CDL grads, if you go the private school route:

Tyson Foods
Schneider Bulk (tanker division)
Tidewater Transit
Superior Carriers
CTL Transportation
Trimac
SVTN

All on this list hire new CDL graduates, even if the website has something different. You will make $55K - $65K with these companies. As soon as you get registered for school, put in online applications and you will have several job offers even before you graduate.

 

I haven't read through all the posts, so...

Since you have the money to pay for your schooling, and you know you will probably have to get hired by a 'bottom feeder' for the first year or two...
Save your money and get 'retrained' by a company that will train and hire you after you get your CDL back.

Take Swift, for example. I work for them, so take it for what's it's worth.
They will train (retrain) you, and get you working for them.
At that point you will owe them a lot of money for that training. Not unlike any other CDL mill or school.
For your first year you will pay it back to them in installments each month. But during the following year with them, you will be paid back in kind. At the end of two years you will have paid nothing for your training.

At any point, you can decide to quit and go somewhere else. You will still owe the remainder of your debt, however.
And having the savings to pay for your school right now is the big key.

Swift may not be the best of trucking companies out there, but they are very far from the worst.
And if you have the option to pay up front for your training or having it provided for you, the latter is the better option.

Save your money for when you might really NEED it.
If you can get a company to train you with no upfront cost to yourself, when you have the funds available - you are the one in control, not 'them'.

 

Doesn't swift pay new drivers a quarter a mile?