New guy, basic questions about getting into truck driving

So, I looked at the pro's and con's on this job, the OTR i think everyone's calling it? Some advice though that I need is, currently got no CDL. So the problem comes with which company and which school to go with? Who's a good company, was looking around and saw a lot of bad comments on C.R.England so wanted to get some input as to where to go.

So basically to sum it up

1: CDL school, Western states

2: What Company to look into hauling for

3: Things to look out for

Any and all help is much appreciated.

 

I would suggest researching this forum scroll down the main page and look into the "Trucking Jobs" click the state you are from and see which companies are hiring out of your area, then look up the "Motor Carrier Questions" and look up the companies you found and start there. This will at least give you an idea of what the drivers are saying about the companies. Good luck with your research.

 

I have no family commitments, and have debts that need to get cleared. This also is a way for me to keep moving around rather than sitting in an office going stir crazy. I am the type of person who has never lived in 1 spot for more than 6 months at a time so staying still for work is next to impossible for my constantly moving nature.

 

If you don't have problems relocating and have no family commitments, trucking might be just right for you. Try saving up money and go to community college to get your CDL, or you can also try to get it from a private CDL school as well. Many private schools offer job placement. Try to avoid some of the company sponsored training, cause they require you to commit to work for them for at least a year. Good luck with your search, just keep browsing these forums. I got my headstart in this industry by finding alot of the info on this forum.

 

I actually just got off the phone with roadmaster (number was from scheinder) and they said I can probably qualify for my tuition to be fully covered.

And I did look into company sponsored training with Swift and C.R.England and this just appears to be the best option that I have seen. Been honestly looking around since Oct last year, just didn't make a forum presence until last night.

 

Do your research before you sign on to any one company right away. If you rush into this without looking you will probably regret it or you just might get lucky but I doubt it. Good Luck!

 

Thanks, I'm still looking around at companies but if i can get tuition fully covered (not company sponsored coverage) then all i need to worry about after that is what company to go with. But so far I've read good things about Schneider for the most part so its most likely my first pick assuming they will take me and assuming that there isnt any loopholes (i read every word in anything i sign). This reading every word goes hand in hand with the school of course. I will be visiting the recruiter and getting the rest of the info about the school in the morning actually, so prolly will post here about how it goes and my point of view on it.

I do appreciate though, the extra reminder to research before signing because I along with many others can and do get caught up in the moment and pay for it in the end. Thank you.

 

Tsu,
Please post what you found out. I have been lurking for quite some time myself and just signed up. I would be interested in what you found out, but also keep in mind that a lot of the recruiters get commission for students showing up. With that said they will promise a lot and you might be in for a rude awakening. Just remember if it sounds to good to be true it might just be not true.

Good luck in the search and keep the rest of us posted

 

Roadmaster said i can start as a region runner dedicated runner or 48 state runner. The recruiter though is for the school, so its just perimeters for the job search after. But He sent me over to the Dept workforce services so i can start getting setup to get 2/3 of the tuition knocked off the bill, gotta love that. I did get that started so hope that works out, if not I'm going with plan B, which is self financing that starts payments after 60 days of graduation. We went over graduation rates (97%) , drop out rates (1%), and employment rates with the school (92% employed within 1 week of graduation), as well as a summary of where students went, as in the companies. Also went over HAZMAT training and double trailer/triple trailer certification, what those do for the check and how to get them. Training as well is up to 3 students and 1 mentor in a truck, basically taking turns who is observing and who's driving.

So basicly it looks like in summary, this school would be a great way to get started in to get a good start in the industry. The only real con that I can see is the cost is like $6,500 approx with self financing, but like i said before, doesn't start payment until after 60 days.

If anyone thinks this sounds fishy I'd like to know the reasoning, because with the numbers i gave, I've seen the lists. But remember, this is a recruiter for the school not a specific company, rather help with job placement with 1 of many companies.