Been in corporate America for way too long. Was laid off and now unemployed. Im considering trucking. I have looked at Stevens and they seem to be a good company. My question is the same as every other 'looker' out there....is it better to do a company sponsored program, go to a community college or private school, and if company sponsored...which one. I live in Texas and see lots of schools to pick from. Just looking for some honest advice here before I take the plunge.
You've got to plan on not having a decent income for some time. So if you have bills that come every month you'll have problems starting out. I think everyone will recommend a community college or a school that you pay for yourself so you're not tied to a company. When you attend a company school and sign a contract for a year or whatever the company knows they have you and they treat you as if they own you. If they run you off they make money and if you stay they get a low paid driver that must do what they say. So you can count on getting all the loads that other drivers do not want and that means low pay with alot of time away from home. The best scenario would to have at least 6 months pay stashed away and pay for your own school. But you're without a job right now so the best advice I believe I can give you is to find another job that you're already trained in so you can save the money you'll need when you start a career in truck driving. If you go into trucking right now and need cash to live on it will be extremely hard to do and you may end up alot worse than you are now.
