Need Trucking Advice

I'm not sure what standard protocol for student funded CDL school but I suspect they all would want full payment up front but a 50/50 at midway seems reasonable for both parties. Once you get your CDL, get eomployed and OTJ trained, and prove yourself with your first company 9-12 months and don't screw up, you should have no problems moving on to greener grass just on your own reputation.

First, you need to have a clean or almost clean MVR and no past felonies or drug convictions, if you do, we'll need to discuss these before you shell out any money, also you need to be able to easily and confidently pass any random drug screens, today, tomorrow, and any day in your future. Also, a fairly stable work history and reasonably good health helps greatly.

There is a wealth of information here to go through to help determine if you should proceed and by all means don't rush into this before you're fully aware of what you're getting into. A few pros' and lots of cons and you need to know them all.

 

Well, Tim, I'd say you're going about this the wrong way, but you should be thankful that your opportunities are as limited as your cash.
Don't become a driver (particularly OTR) simply because you can't make it doing what you're doing right now. It's a hard job even for those of us that love it......it would be nearly impossible if you were not totally comitted.
Were you to become a driver, you could expect that your first year's earnings would be in the 30k range, on average. Is this so much more than you're making now?? Understand that you'll be spending money on the road while your girlfriend is spending money at home, so unless it a lot more than your're making now, you won't be any further ahead.

Rethink your options......particularly the one about your girlfriend not being able to find a job. And if what I said doesn't change your mind, start saving now, and you will have the money you need to start school next year. However, it is unlikely that you'll have:

a. living expenses at school
b. living expenses while on the road with your trainer for 4-8 weeks
c. money to pay the bills that come due no matter where you are or what you're doing

So you see, it's not just the $2700 you have to save for......the true ammount is probably something twice that much

Good luck, brother

 

As a recent veteran (I assume), I find it hard to believe the government doesn't make low cost loans or grants available for vocational training. But that service should be a plus from prospective employers view. Thanks for your service.

 

Many trucking companies pay for training if you sign a year or two commitment. Sound familiar? Out of all the training companies, I'd say Schneider would be up there, plus they like Vets from what I hear. Whatever you do, research any prospective training company here, and if they have a tendency to force lease/purchases, find a different company. FL is tough state for trucking. Good luck.

 

Dude. Go to a tech school with a CDL program and use your GI Bill. I'm a vet, too. I know for a fact you can do it.

 

When all the good options are gone,

and push comes to shove,

try calling Swift.