Difficulties...

Check out the threads under good trucking companies. Great list of companies and information. Look at the Drivers Dac reports there. A lot of great threads and information. Then if you want to totally get your mind changed about going into a trucking career go check out the bad companies. It will be a eye opener. Welcome to the forums and best of luck in your new adventure!

 

I've no clue why you couldn't contact SNI. Maybe go to their website and throw an app in?
Yes, you read good and bad about different companies, but the one thing to remember, 90% is your own attitude. Each one has good and bad about it, no one size fits all. Once you get into it, it may take you a bit to find a company YOU are happy with. The name on the door or colour of the truck really doesn't amount to a lot if you're happy with who you're with.
There's a couple I was with, that I didn't do that well, and yes, I'll bad mouth them likely for ever, but then again, it's only my opinion. Your mileage may differ.

 

Good move, and yes, avoid CRE.

 

One thing companies check is your work history. They want people who will stay for a while for several reasons.

Finishing school is better on a resume then not. But it still shows that you have changed your mind, even though you were probably forced to by the economy, after a substantial financial investment. That may make the a bit leery to hire you.

Wanting to be employed immediately after school so you do not default on school loans should look good on the resume. Make sure recruiters get the best "spin" on these details when you speak with them.

Good luck. Maybe you can add CDL school to your existing loans, as continuing education???

Mikeeee

 

Couple things:


You will be hard pressed to pay down a "chunk" of your student loans driving a truck, especially as a newbie. I graduated from Penn State a LONG time ago and my tuition was nowhere NEAR what you undergrads are paying these days. With the sheepskin in hand, have you ever thought about moving to where the jobs are? Dallas/Ft Worth is supposed to be the best job market in the country according to a few news reports I read. You stand to make a much better living while being home with your other half more if you stay off the road.

That all said, if trucking is your passion, don't let ANYthing stop you (other than family needs of course). Once you get behind the wheel and get out there solo, you are going to find it very VERY difficult to get out of the truck, and if you do get out, you'll find yourself taking the long way to get a cup of coffee just so you can get it at the local truck stop. You'll find yourself staring at trucks going down the road, turning your radio off and opening the windows so you can hear the whine of the turbo and hear that diesel run, etc...

Watch out! This is a very mean addiction with very little pay (comparatively)!

 

Please please, for your own best interest. Ask the school what EXACTLY you will be learning, during a short 3 week course and that high price. And post back here!

I was proud of my $4000 160 hour 4 week school, till I heard what other people got for the same price and much less. More time, more skills, etc...

My school, although many companies liked that it was an accredited school and also a college, just got me a piece of Illinois plastic. I didn't learn parallel parking, 90 degree parking, and many other maneuvers.

Not that I can't do them, but they did not teach them. They strictly taught what would be on the state written, pre-trip and road tests.

Mikeeee

 

Just be sure to mop up the college first! This is a lifestyle that consumes a great deal of your time but also offers a great deal of freedom and you won't have time to go back later. Degrees don't mean sheet to the driving end of this business so be prepared.

Welcome and ask away......