Is company training a bad idea?

I believe it would cost less to go through company training, but you usually have to stay with them for the next year or so (depending on the company). Yes the staying out does king of suck, but thats the way you have to make it in this industry today. Surely you could find a company to get you home every 14 days?? Take advantage of you? Heck they try to do that to everyone, but yes you heard right. Although not all companies are the same...and there are a lot of them. I personally don't know the training programs of all the bigger companies. Good Luck!

 

You've got the right idea. There should be several smaller to medium sized companies in Indiana advertising "Hometime." That usually means they try to get the 34 hour reset every week...in friday night...out sunday night..or whatever. There are as many styles as there are companies so be sure and ask about ANYTHING you want to know. Get with a company that has lanes going by your front door if hometime is a concern. Go...NOW...look out your front window.....what truck is going by? Not the Alaska Express truck...the other ones that say MYTOWN,INDIANA on the side.

 

If you do not have the funds to pay for a private school yourself then go ahead and get company sponsored training.

Just understand that you will be an indentured servant for the 1 to 2 year contract they will ask you to sign.

Do not be distressed about that. It is common. The reality is you should STAY at whatever company you hire on with for AT LEAST a year if at all possible. As a new entrant to the trucking industry you will have ALOT to learn and the first year or 2 will fly by before you know it. The key is to "stick with it." You will adapt given enough time.

Just remember trucking is the ONLY job (I am aware of anyway) where you can start making 35 to 40 grand your first year (possibly more) after a month of training and another month with a driver mentor/trainer. Trucking also offers BENEFITS that other jobs just do not anymore. Such as; Vacations, paid sick days, paid personal days, holiday pay, medical, dental, vision, death, and disability insurances for you and your family as well as 401k or pension.

Got to get your foot in the door first though.

 

What 777 said. I'd prefer to pay my own way and I wouldn't sign anything that would cost me more than a few hundred dollars for not following through. No funky leases for me...just be a company driver and find out if it's what you want to do. I think the dropout rate is about 900% before one year...it's not for everybody.