Choosing a school

Make sure it's 160 hours.
If you know of some companies you like, call the companies and ask if they hire from that school.

 

I am a Navy Veteran, currently living in L.A., and had been working for a local Security Patrol & Alarm response company for the past 15 years. I am planning to move to Iowa within the next 2 years, and decided to get into Trucking. Researching the Industry and opportunities I found that there are plenty of options out there. Companies like Roehl, that not only pay for the school, but also pay while training. CRST (and others) that only pay for the school, but would have a solid background on teaching Industry Standards. One of my guards' brother offered me to train me once I got a permit, and guarantees $1k / week running between L.A. and Seattle with weekly home time, but ZERO benefits (except vacation, and time off). With Plans to move to the Midwest within the next 2 years would it be wiser to obtain the Permit in Wisconsin (Roehl), getting trained for free, and getting paid while doing so. Or taking up a local offer without benefits (to at least gain the 1-2 years experience necessary), and simply apply for jobs in the Midwest later, or going for a Company like CRST, where I hope a move would just entail transferring to their Iowa location. I appreciate some guidance from experienced Truckers out there. Also would it make more sense to obtain the Permit from my current state or the state I am planning to move to.

 

@Mil2Sec2Trucking - Don't waste your time working for no benefits. If you attend a trucking company cdl school; there's a few good ones out there.
Jim Palmer Trucking - www.jimpalmertrucking.com - coast to coast refrigerated trucking and trains in Missoula, Montana. Pays for transportation to get there, plus meals & lodging during school.It's a good outfit and the starting pay is way above average.

You should be ok living in California or Iowa for this company.
I'm a Navy vet also; San Diego & Long Beach.

 

@Mil2Sec2Trucking - Wilson Logistics - www.wilsonlogistics.com - this company owns Jim Palmer Trucking.
Jim Palmer is refrigerated and Wilson Logistics is dry van and flatbed. Also trains in Missoula, Montana.

 

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Thank you for your Service, Shipmate. I take it that you are a Recruiter, as your username popped up quiet a bit during my research. Jim Palmer Trucking came up a bit as well. What sets Jim Palmer apart from Roehl or those other Companies out there. Thank you for your guidance.

 

I talked with various schools. I looked for actual experience beyond just OTR in the instructor and a focus on safety and actually teaching good driving, plus low class size so I would get more road time. I did not care about classroom time, just inspection and driving hours.

In my case I walked in when there was a lull between their normal classes and they offered a discount to keep the instructor working.

The owner told me they are concerned with turning out good drivers, not just people who pass the test. I got most of the driving hours. I had a good gut feeling about them that I did not get at other schools I visited. We did a lot of challenging stuff, consecutive traffic circles, narrow twisty mountain roads, and a lot of backing practice. Some of it was humiliating at first.

160 hours is average, some companies want more, but only one perspective employer has cared about the hours, an LTL company who wanted 180. Every other one focused on the interview and road test. Because of the practice time I had in class I have had an offer of employment at the end of every road test. I mean like "can you start now?"

So I suggest seeing past the test, which seems like a huge barrier but won't be if you practice and focus, and think about how you're going to sell yourself to an employer. Demonstrating care and skill go a long way.

Don't be afraid to range away from home if you find a school you like. I took training and the test in another state and then took their packet to the DMV in my state to get my CDL issued.

 

No, I'm not a recruiter for any company or school. I just enjoy helping new drivers get started and try to keep them from making the same mistakes I did when I started. I have a lot of free time, so that's why you see me on here so much.

 

Cassens Transport - not all of it's local, but the pay is good.
$70K - $75K per year.
Cassens
www.cassens.com
Car Hauler Requirements:

• Valid CDL (Class A) or graduate from certified truck driving school
• Able to work weekends
• Willing to undergo and pass a background check, physical and drug screen
• Able to work in the United States