Looking into the Trucking scene, few questions?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by StewBear, Dec 27, 2017.

  1. Kyle G.

    Kyle G. Road Train Member

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    Roehl is another great training company located in your backyard.
     
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  2. StewBear

    StewBear Bobtail Member

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    I was wondering when you’d show up Chinatown :)
    All I’m doing is researching researching researching and looking for the truth.
     
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  3. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

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    The value of community college and for-profit CDL schools is mostly in keeping your current job while you train (community college) or speed of getting to your first paycheck (for-profit). Community colleges often also have extensive waiting lists before you can start. I assume their training is more thorough than for-profit 3 week school, but in my opinion nobody gives you credit for any of your school. They will train you in their methods the first month or tw at your first company.

    I was nearly homeless and actually without transportation. I had maybe $300 and bills beyond that. I needed as job NOW. So I left being an aircraft mechanic and slept on my brother's couch and had a generous person give me a ride to/from CDL school. Four Mondays after I started CDL school I was on the job as a truck driver.

    IMO people think too much about which school or what path to get the CDL. NOBODY cares where or how you got the CDL if you meet their hiring requirements. Pick a company you want to work for and follow the path they are familiar with newbies. Some companies are very familiar with certain CDL schools. If you want to work for them go to the school they recognize. Do the math and see if getting a company sponsored CDL is better or worse for you at that company. In general, if the normal pay at your first company isn't AT LEAST the cost of CDL more than you make without the CDL don't do it.

    Companies often pay less to their drivers who got a "free" CDL form them. Compare the cost of CDL school and pay at a company that doesn't sponsor newbies.

    Your much better off spending time to decide if you REALLY want to work in this industry than worrying over which school and how to pay for that school (time/money). Only you can decide if you REALLY want to do this job. For some it's the worst possible job and some a real adventure. The perspective is yours.
     
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  4. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Here's a few more that hire from private cdl school. Some websites are a little difficult to navigate and may look like "experience" is required, but all these do hire new cdl grads.
    J&R Schugel
    Halvor Lines
    Dynamic Transit
    Magnum Ltd.
    Don Hummer Trucking
    Schuster
    West Side Transport
    FFE (Frozen Food Express)

    Submit job applications the first day of cdl school. You'll get job offers that are contingent on graduating from cdl school and having any required endorsements. It's a plus if you have hazmat endorsement because many items are considered hazmat such as fingernail polish, fingernail polish remover, cans of spray paint, etc.
     
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  5. akfisher

    akfisher Road Train Member

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    @StewBear I went to a local school in Atlanta and was only 2,800 for the full 160 hour course. Dont do the year commitment thing because Math doesnt lie and percentages are you wont make itva year. Just Sayin. The reasons are many so not doubting your driving skills. Get a cdl through a 160 hour course and hire on with a starter company
     
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  6. StewBear

    StewBear Bobtail Member

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    I have seen time and time again community colleges “wave” people by and allow them to slide by with passing grade.

    In programming course, people were caught cheating, leaving GitHub code stamps with in code, even copying another students Exact code. Started (15 month duration) with 26 students,6 graduated and 3 couldn’t write a single line of code. Yet held to my standard when I busted my ### to get there.

    Welding people would show up 2 out of 5 days in class, smoking weed and showing up drunk. Owns the same diploma I have.

    Paramedic, people admin over dose levels of meds and still passed on certification day. That’s someone’s life man!

    Keeping up head count enrollment and profits, I can’t think of any other reason. Let’s be done preaching quality.

    The “train to hire” school I choose is in fact known for ridding scabs, hey that’s ok with me, because I won’t be one of them. I’m a straight shooter not looking to waste their time, especially mine.

    Everybody has to pay the piper one way or another.
     
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  7. StewBear

    StewBear Bobtail Member

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    Thanks man! Looking into it big time right now,
     
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  8. Justrucking2

    Justrucking2 Road Train Member

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    Oh man, thank you for confirming what I have been saying for years! I have a degree in Nursing, Navy Veteran, Corpsman... I worked in surgery as a scrub/circulating nurse... The kids we got from the college and the medical students from the university... I will end it there, you are spot on. Sad state of affairs. And I see it daily around Michigan, thousands of good paying jobs available, and few willing to work. I have a few customers that will no longer hire recent college grads for the reasons you mentioned above. Spot on, and again, a very sad state of affairs for out country.
     
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  9. StewBear

    StewBear Bobtail Member

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    I’m glad ya picked up on what I was putting down!
    StewBear other side of pond, trying to keep it real.
    Appreciate your service, I have a lot to learn from you, I can tell already.
    Thanks!
     
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  10. Jazz1

    Jazz1 Road Train Member

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    Trucking will definitely offer the lowest wages of the potential careers you considered at college.
     
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