I don't want to pay for my "CDL school", so how about......

Look into community colleges. The one in my county didn't have one, but the one the next county over did. They are by far the most reasonable priced. In 1999, my CDL course, which was 8 weeks long instead of the standard 4 weeks, was only $1900, and the truck driving schools advertising on tv at the time wanted 4 times that much.

 

Will a good company even hire someone these days if they were trained the "old school way"?

 

Great question! Anyone got any answers?

 

I think most of them will road test you, as long as you have a cdl.

 

I can't think of any good carriers I worked for that hired any CDL school graduates except one and they regretted that .

 

I believe there is a basic flaw in the way new drivers enter this industry. The flaw is that it is just too ###### easy. At least it's too easy for a wannabe with a clean MVR, a clean record with respect to "run ins", a good work history, ability to pass drug testing, etc. These guys/gals will be summarily passed through a CDL school like water through sifter....and from what I've read, not too much "sifting" going on. (More thoughts later if the thread survives.)

 

Easy to enter if you consider getting a CDL "entering " . Getting a job and surviving - not so easy .

 

Getting a CDL is the easy part. Easy for me to say since I haven't taken the driving part of the CDL A. But, it's what happens after the "Lookee, lookee, I got my CDL" thrill that's an issue. I know there are some carriers out there that have extensive "mentorship" requirements for new drivers amounting to months of driving time with a trainer before being released on an unsuspecting interstate world. I'm gonna hate being cooped up with a trainer for months on end, but I'm determined to just go ahead and hate it if in the end I'm a better, safer driver. Okay, I'm an idealist.....sue me!!!

 

Forget the big truck OTR . An expediting carrier would probably put you right to work with your Class B and no trainer . And those trucks can park in the same spots school buses fit in .
What about moving van lines ? They get the busiest when school gets out - perfect timing for you . They have a lot of straight trucks and might train you for a Class A . Even better they hire winos for seasonal help so that would make things more interesting .

 

This is my first post.....
I am 53 years old...been out of work for a year and a half, and I'm 3 weeks deep in a CDL driving school that unemployment is paying for.
Finally my clean driving record,( last ticket 7 years ago ...non-moving violation),my clean criminal record (even after a divorce) and my ability to pass a drug screen at will is finally gonna pay off.
I think it shows a sense of responsibility that companies will look at and just maybe give an old guy a chance.

Lets face it, all a cdl school is gonna do is help you pass the test and basically thats all I want. You learn by practice,practice, practice, over a period of years, not weeks.
My brother, who has had a cdl for over 10 years, told me that it will take 6 mos. to a year to become comfortable behind the wheel. Especially here in the mid-atlantic area, the traffic capital of the world.
So get all the education you can get a hold of and don't cut no corners.
I'm sure it will pay off in the end.