New Guy

Good luck, Joker. I'm nearly in the same boat but am going with a large carrier with training -- aka, a "bottom feeder CDL Mill" -- but that's the educated choice I've made. If I had the time, money and a local community college, I'd likely go that route. But I don't. My concern is passing the physical -- I'm a big guy -- and I know my BP hovers "high normal" so it all depends on how that goes.

 

There are a lot of CDL schools out there. I too am in the process of going to school to get my CDL. If you do attend a school make sure it is a certified and accredited school. Otherwise it may not be recognized by some of the major carriers out there.

There are of course a lot of carriers (mill) that offer their own CDL training. This they deduct out of your check for a year and then some will repay you back if you stay with them longer than a year.

I checked into about 4 schools that were in my area and state and I have opted for AIT out of Phoenix. I am self paying so that will give me a little more leeway when I choose a company to work for.

Do your research ask lots of questions and talk to numerous schools.
Find out what their student to instructor ratio is.
Find out what your behind the wheel time is, I mean actual time you get to drive, not the time you sit in the truck while other students drive.

I am new to the forum as well, but I have done a lot of research and I start school on July 11th.

Good luck and I hope this helped.