Company Training vs CDL School Advice Needed

If anybody shows up at CRST and signs THAT CONTRACT, they are a complete moron and get what they deserve. NOT ALL Company Sponsored training programs are the same. I looked at several and went with Swift. I never felt pressured to stay. Lets face it.......Trucking Schools teach you how to pass the STATE EXAM. Nothing more....nothing less. I got great training, great experience.....You should stay with your first company for at least One year anyways. People love to bash Swift, even though 99% of those doing the bashing have never driven for them. Sure, I could have ponied up 6-8 grand for a private CDL SCHOOL and had to finance it at payday loan rates. I did what seemed best for me and it has worked out very well. Your mileage may vary!

 

Let's also face another fact! In essence, getting you through the State Exams is what ALL schools do! Regardless of how you get that CDL you are still going to be with a trainer at some point. I am trying to maintain some patience here. You don't have to tear into other ways to get a CDL and start a career just to sanctify the choice you made! Because I am local to this school I know many drivers that are driving for a lot of large carriers, EVEN some driving for Swift! I have never bashed company paid training as I know many many drivers that have gone that route as well. I just consider that year afterward as a negative.

 

One more point about my last comment I failed to point out! The school I am speaking about actually does both company-financed training along with using the workforce grants. This is NOT a zero-sum situation, it is ONLY if you make it so!

 

I don't believe I tore into anything. I simply stated my experience. Ok..... I did tear into potential CRST drivers... I'll give you that. I really believe we are on the same page Moose1958.

 

Hopefully, we are! I perceived by your word choice you were attempting to demean trade schools. If I misunderstood you then that's my bad. Nothing wrong with a good healthy debate where schools are concerned. I just firmly believe a person should not make any decisions on schools until they have checked out all options available to them. Further, I don't think this is an unreasonable position!

 

There are 2 private schools, and a Pima Community College course in Tucson, AZ, my hometown. Looked into all 3 of them, also Schneider, Knight (pre Swift merger), and Swift. I looked into those 3 because they all had programs available in Phoenix, AZ. That way I would be able to drive 115 miles north instead of hopping on a Grey Dog to some far away location. Everything Swift offered fit my needs. I have no "regerts" lol.
I really enjoy your posts and your insights in regards to this industry. I am certain you have helped many potential and current drivers over the decades. Thank you!

 

In the end, it boils down to the logistics! Then inside these choices, you should be about what makes you feel the most comfortable. I might also add a question I once asked a young girl, where do you want to be in 5 years? 10 Years? 30 years? So many people in this industry think of it solely as what do I make a mile? Can you make enough money to put some away every pay period? It has been said people don't plan to fail, they fail to plan.

I'm nobody special. Soon going to be retired for 9 years. Lost my CDL, my right hand shakes something horrid now. Up until about 18 months ago I delighted in going out with some drivers and helped them master some backing skills. When I retired I was going to go work for a guy as more like an intern in his safety dept. Then after this, I had a job with a top 10 carrier working in safety. I already had almost 20 hours of classroom training with CVSA. All those plans fell through though when I was told I had epilepsy and then finally lost ALL my driving privileges. So I spend my time these days networking in the industry trying to hook up drivers with carriers. And of course, starting fights in TTR!