I've said it all my life, but now I want to actually DO it. But...

My grandparents raised me, and my grandfather was a trucker, had been for most of his life once he got out of the Navy. I was always in awe of the trucks and the fact that he could drive them. Once I was old enough to REALLY get in to them he had moved on to a fleet distribution manager, so I only got to drive once with him, but it is probably my fondest childhood memory.

Anyhow, that's not really the point. My problem is... school. I don't know where to go, what to do, anything. I don't have a job and I'm already in hock to my relatives for a few grand or so, so borrowing or otherwise obtaining the money on my own to pay for it isn't feasible. I had a failed attempt at college, leaving me with 20K in defaulted loans, so I can't get federal student aid or a Pell grant(if I even could for a trucking school anyhow), so I don't see community college working for me. I live in an area with few trucking schools(so far as I've found), one or two being that seem to be "CDL mill" type schools, and one based in a "career center".

So this really leaves me with signing on with someone like Swift who will pay for my training and make me work for them for a year or two. I don't hear much good about Swift and Werner and the places that do this. Still, if it's my only option...? I don't know that it is, which is - I guess - what I'm posting here about.

On the plus side of it all, I've driven 4 wheelers for 15 years without a single accident and only one ticket about 13 years ago for speeding. I've also got some experience with a straight truck, driving to get furniture in Chicago several times about eight to ten years ago, and moving trucks a few times since then. I've also got little family to tie me down, and no desire to have a wife and kids or something silly like that. I also just LIKE to drive.

Any advice, anyone?

 

Company training.

Look through the company specific forums and read what actual drivers at these companies are saying. Outside rumor is just that. Choose your company carefully as to make the best fit possible.

Good luck.

 

How can you graduate from a CDL school without your CDL? I'm just curious. Not flaming you.

 

I'm confused...

 

I think there was a post between my two wherein someone said they graduated from a CDL school without a CDL. It appears to have been deleted. Perhaps a troll or a retread was visiting your thread. That question was not aimed at you. I believe it was some chick.

 

I hear fire works wonders on trolls.

 

So, How's it going Lokix? Would just like to see if you made a decision on a school yet. I've heard some good things about Frozen Food Express... but also a few bad things.. I think you will hear bad things about all of them though... Don't let that discourage you. I was able to come up with the funding for my own schooling and start next week.

Good luck!

 

If you don't have any money for a school, you might want to consider company training with Prime, I heard good things about them...
Just my 02 cents as I'm new to this also.

 

I'm considering any of the companies like Swift, Millis, Prime, and so on to begin with. Problem is I can't do it until I get my tax return, since I have NO money otherwise for when I go to school and out on the road, until I get paid. And I just found out that since I'm in default on old student loans I have to refinance my loans, which will take about 45 days. Ugh. So It's just a waiting game, I guess.

 

Go to company paid training. If you pay for your on school you will still be limited to the certain carriers who train anyway so why should pay for it upfront. (unless i have to the cash to pay and then do what you want) Stay the yr get experience and pay off your debt to the carrier then move on to a better place.