Looking into the Trucking scene, few questions?

Don't forget the oil patch, right down the street from you if you are in Wisconsin...

 

I went to a private trucking school, and I would suggest it. The big companies that are willing to train are the worst to work for, and you will be stuck with one of them. Think about this; would a company force you to sign a contract saying that you won't quit for 9-12 months if they had anything good to offer you?

 

The trucking industry is a completely different industry compared to say the rail or air networks where much more stringent rules are applied. Because of the huge demand for the transport of goods to all areas of the 48 states of the U.S.A alot of companies just can't get enough drivers to shift there freight so here is a great opportunity to get a job where you get to travel all over the country side and get paid for the privilege, so it really comes down to what you choose for training, be it paying your own way via a driver training institute or via a company sponsored training system, both have good and bad options, the issue with a driving institute is your up for the cash right away so who has $5000 cash sitting around right? Although perhaps some of them may have a payment plan. The issue with using a transport company to sponsor your training is you'll be indebted to them till you can pay it all back. Either way if you can stick with it you will become a successful driver eventually.
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I went to a school in the 80's, glad I did... My first year was a nightmare, but I had nothing and nowhere to go. I worked in surgery as a scrub nurse, Detroit Medical Center... Navy Corpsman... Young and stupid, married the wrong gal. I found myself homeless and accused of the most heinous things. Trucking saved my rear end, been doing it now for near 30 years. Two divorces, debt free, no mortgage, and yes I have a house and property... And my equipment is paid for. I think I am happy? LOL!

 

The reason the companies don't want the student to quit before the contract is complete is because they have a lot of money invested in the student and the company wants a return on that investment. Those companies insurance rates are extremely high because they have inexperienced drivers, driving very expensive equipment, and grinding gears & crashing into things.

 

College probably won't pay for room board or meals.
Company training produces thousands of good and not so good drivers every year.
Either one is acceptable.

 

Don't be concerned about job placement; there's at least 2 dozen companies that will hire you from a private school. Some of those schools push certain companies and certain accounts within those companies because they have such a huge turnover of new drivers on those accounts. The accounts are Dollar General & similar accounts, where the driver & truck are like the ball in a pinball machine, bumping into things while trying to reach a goal.
Millis is one of the better outfits with their own school and they stay in the eastern states. If you want to run west, keep shopping around.
Veriha Trucking in Wisconsin has their own cdl school & also stays east.
Contract Freighters www.cfidrive.com has their own school and runs coast to coast.
Freymiller www.drive4freymiller hires new cdl school graduates and reimburses tuition back to the student. This company is one of the best refrigerated coast to coast outfits around that hires new cdl grads.
Plenty more; let us know what you want.

 

So different then what I went through. Cost me 2500 dollars at a local training company and NO trucking company like Ashley would touch me except CR, Swift, Werner, SNI. Limited for choice out here. The joys of living in the West.

 

The sad part about what you stated, and it is all true, is that these outfits will not give, or let these drivers earn a commensurate wage in regards to the work involved. New guy or not, being away for weeks, or months at a time, and only taking home $700 +/- is not something that would keep me around, not today. Especially when the costs of living out here are added into the equation. Back in the day, we could get a good meal, and even a free steak dinner if we filled up. And free coffee was everywhere. Now, Coffee, $2, lunch in a Denny's, $13 to $15 + tip for the lousy service. Or more crap food from McDonalds. We used to be treated quite well out here, I remember Fuel Jockeys that would fuel and park your truck. Yes, I'm old school, and miss those days.