Help or advice appreciated

I'm thinking seriously about going OTR. I called CRST and Stevens because they would pay for the licensing, which require a 8 and 12 month contract respectively paying .25 and .26. My personal dealings with CRST, through emails, have already put them at the bottom of the list under: Only in Emergency. But they have green lit me for school. Surprising right? Stevens is still trying to sort out my employment history since I just graduated so we'll see how that goes. Realistically, I imagine any companies that pay for school follow the same general business model. I've run the numbers so I know how much I'm potentially losing over and above the cost of the classes by contracting for 8/12 months, assuming of course that I could find a job with a company that only requires 3 months exp. and pays .38. I've see a few ads for that but not sure how likely it would be to score one of those jobs. I'm trying to figure out a way to come up with the cash, but may be a long shot.

My goal in doing this would be to drive as much as possible and save as much as possible in order to give myself some "breathing" room (sucks being broke). No wife, no kids, no girlfriend.

I'm in Kansas City, but I'm open to moving. Anyone know of any schools in my area? I've contacted Westwind in Cuba MO. Any other companies that offer to pay for school besides the two I've called?

I'm also trying to get tuition assistance through the State, so if anyone has experience with that, let me know. I am a veteran but it was back in '86-'90 so I'm not sure if the contemporary love affair with the military covers me (tongue in cheek).

At any rate, I'll keep reading and researching, but any help would be appreciated. Thanks. o/

 

Check these out:

Southern Refrigerated Transport - furnish 3 meals a day and hotel room & bus ticket to get to Texarkana, AR.

Witte Bros. - Troy Mo.

Trailiner Corp - Springfield, MO(supposed to live within 100 miles of Springfield, MO, but apply anyway. Tell them you will relocate.)

 

You're right in Prime Transport's backyard. They are in Springfield, MO. Call them as they pay more than Stevens or CRST.

 

Prime and Central Refrigerated both good. I wouldn't go with Stevens because of their meat contracts; too much sitting and waiting. Probably get many more miles with CRST if you can handle team driving & an 8 month obligation.

 

I'm going to take it you can't get financing to go to a regular school? If you have to go to a company that offers schooling then keep up with the research to find the best fit for you.

Stay with them until your contract is up, which ever company. If they have a buy out policy and you can save the money that's fine, but don't quit and sure as heck don't quiet under a load or abandon your truck.

Their are some good companies that will take you with 8 to 12 month's experience.

 

Look up roehl bud. We love to train new guys. Plus .34 con sounds better then .26 any day.

 

Thanks everyone for the help. I'll research those companies as well.

 

Swift will also send you to school and only want 6 months contract

 

edinkansas,
check out the WIA(workforce investment act) and VWIA(Veteran's workforce investment act), they have several different programs. You can get information at local department of Labor.

 

If you're going to use a company to get your license, Roehl is definitely one of the best bets out there. I worked for them as an experienced hire right when they were really starting to grow their school portion if the business. I will say that I had a really good fleet manager and that can make or break ones perception of a company. Give them a call, if you reside in close proximity to a lane you should be able to get in the door with a good background.