gob/bad/any advice accepted

I actually have some answers for ya, I spent most of today doing a ton of research, I went and checked out Smith and Solomon School, as well as All State Career, I also stopped by the local career link (unemployment) office to see about grants and stuff.

I also talked to a few companies that I have some interest in. Of course the recruiters all make it seem like XX Company will give you financial independence all while "servicing" your every need.

So to answer the first Question, Most of the companies I talked to today that will hire recent school graduates want the school to be PTDI certified. PTDI is some set of standards that each school teaches from. With a little google surfing I also found out that most schools/community colleges that accept federal (FASFA or VA) financial aid have to be accredited through PTDI or another which I can't think of right now. Schneider, TMC, BTC, and some of the oil field companies only accept PTDI certified "Diplomas".

Second question is answered super simple...NO they do not. I've been finding there is a big difference between "Private" schools and "Accredited" schools. Accredited schools are the ones eligible for FAFSA and what not apparently, private schools do not, they want you to pay up front. Maybe I'm wrong here but thats what I have been reading today, someone maybe can come along and either correct me or affirm what I wrote.

Third question, I have no Idea.

 

Well, like I said above it was a busy day. Pennsylvania says I am not eligible for any assistance what so ever. My job wasn't sent over seas, it wasn't downsized (i chuckled when they said that), and I wasn't fired (i chuckled again). Since I "made" the decision to "Voluntarily" close my business the idea of me getting any assistance is a no go. I chuckled because like I said before, the only voluntary thing I did was hand the bank my keys instead of them forcefully taking them from me. I was able to save face and whatever dignity I had left, and able to sell off what equipment I could. I drove by there a couple days ago, dang chinese take out being built in there, 51 years my family cut hair, told stories, sipped on bourbon, and hid from wives and girlfriends in there, I hope the General Tso's is at least good, I love Chinese food, be nice to have a decent one in town.

Visited Smith and Solomon Truck Driving School, decent place I guess, nothing to compare it to. Front office was nice, classrooms were organized and clean, range was running smooth when we went to see it, they have a class B program running right now so range was all busses running around a course, stopping to pretend to pick up passengers, and things like that. Saw the Trucks they use, not an expert, but they looked clean and well taken care of, climbed up in one seemed a little worn on the inside, about 850k on the odometer, told it was a 10 speed. $4400 bucks

Also went to All State Career, much larger school, and a bit more chaotic. They teach a bunch of stuff there. I signed in got called back and the lady started going into all this welding information. Stupid me, when I filled out the online form yesterday I clicked Welding and not Truck Driving, lol, well truck driving is taught at a different facility about 10 minutes away. She called said I could go right over. Wondered why I didn't see any trucks lol. The Driving campus is a bit smaller and a lot quieter, but I have to admit, the eye candy back at the other one was nicer with all the dental tech students and nursing girls walking around lol. School has 2 programs one is 3 weeks long, very similar to Smith and Solomon $5100, and another is 6 months long and $9200. the six month program is ridiculous, way more than I could ever need, but it is the PTDI certified course. The 3 week course will get you a cdl and on your way. There is a catch, All State can do the federal FAFSA loans but only if you take the 6 month course, the 3 week course is not eligible. Maybe I am wrong, but 6 months seems a little overboard.

So I have broadened my search, someone messaged me with the name of a school in Iowa that has a 6 week course, ptdi certified, and offers lodging all for around 7k so I left a message with them to call me back. I'd travel anywhere for the right price and if they had lodging so if anyone has any ideas where to look please let me know.

 

Had lunch with that Truck Driver friend today, he is on hometime for a few days, hooked him up with a free cut and lunch in exchange for allowing me to pick his brain.

He drives for US Xpress out of the Shippensburg terminal. He drives solo on a dedicated account mostly here in the northeast. He said it's a decent place never did him too wrong, always quick to make up fo a mistake, that type of thing.

He tells me that the Team side of things at US Xpress is where the good money for rookies is. He said at about 3 months i could be taking home 800-900 a week with average team miles. He drove teams for a while, but opted out to go solo on his dedicated account job he has.

Also gave me the name of someone to contact,so I did, US Xpress does not have a school of their own so I could basically go to any school that meets their standard and I'd be good. However they also told me that they have a program with a couple of schools where if I agreed to drive for them the school would defer my tuition payments until after I started driving for US Xpress, and then my tuition reimbursement would kick in. So I am waiting for an email for more details....there has to be a catch somewhere,will let everyone know when I get it.

 

So basically this is how it works.

I go to MTC in Missouri, complete my Training, go to work for US Xpress and $50 bucks a week gets deducted for 18 months, Months 19-36 US Xpress kicks me back $50 bucks a week so after 3 years it is all paid off.

No Contract with US Xpress, but If I choose to go to MTC and do not sign on with them I would be responsible to MTC to pay back on whatever terms I agree too with them when I get there.

I looked over the agreement pretty thoroughly nothing really sticks out as to being toooo fishy....but I could be wrong

 

On the advice of a private message, I went ahead and applied to a number of companies. Seems some of them have the same deal with MTC that US Xpress has.

I Checked up on MTC school, Some good, some bad, as usual just like everything else on here.

So I contacted The recruiter at TMC Trucking really took the time to lay it all out for me, he didn't try to sugar coat a d**n thing. Told me I was willing to sweat, say yes sir a lot, and walk with some pride I might want to give TMC a chance. I like that he was so up front with me, the only recruiter that actually told me that my first 6 months are not going to be easy, pay will be erratic, but I will be trained correctly, and will know everyone I need to deal with on a daily basis by name and by face because I will meet them in person.

So I called MTC school, talked to them, Seriously thinking of enrolling Monday and starting the week after that.

 

Enrolling at MTC tomorrow

Class starts monday the 5th of August

Shifted some money around on my behalf, did some negotiating, got the final price to school down to around 2700 bucks.

I know the school isn't the best rated on here, but then again none of them are, the local community coolege doesnt have a course available until end of September, and the local schools here are far more expensive. If they can get me a CDL that's all I care about, the real training will be done with my first company.

I now have pre-hires from Us Xpress, TMC, Werner, Schneider and Swift, hopefully I will have them from Roehl, Stevens, FFE and Maverick by the time I leave for school.

Can't Wait!