Newbie looking at Iowa options

Van Wyk, Sheldon, IA.... Reefer operations, even tho you live about 3 to 4 hours away, we run that 380 corridor alot... loads out of sioux falls and minnesota you be able to run 18/218/380 to stop thru the house.... hire rookies but idk about paying for training, also check out TMC if you dont mind getting dirty doing flatbed, located down the road in Des Monies..

 

I see you're new to the board and welcome. I believe that just about all of us drivers will tell you to do your homework and do not just look at the easy way. Because the way you've picked so far is tough and you'll end up signing a contract to that company so they can get their money back for school. What that means a lot of times is you'll get the loads no one else wants and you'll be foced to take them. I don't want to scare you off but I do want to give the advice of doing research. Because not all the companies are that way.

We have a driver on this site that teaches at a CDL school by the name of Rerun and he can give you a lot of good information about schooling. Just about every driver here has gone to school except us old timers so the information is here. Just keep in mind that you should always remember that every school and every job is different for different people. One job may be the best in the world for one driver but not good for you.

I suggest that you sit down and make a list of what you want. Set yourself some goals and a time frame. If you come into this industry you'll want to get the most out of it. You'll want to plan so when it comes times to get out of the truck you still have a future.

Right now you can look at what type of training you want. You'll need to look at what's available to you in your area and if the school is worth going to. You can also look at your local community college to see if they have a CDL program. There's also some loans and aid you might be able to get but you'll never know unless you check. Now is the time to set yourself a plan and gain all that's available to you. Good luck and this site is here to help.

 

Like in the real estate business where the three most important things are location, location and location. For you, just starting out, it's research, research, research. Do your due diligence and don't hesitate to talk to as many truckers as you can. The Iowa 80 Truck Stop would be perfect for you to just hang out at to do some of the most valuable research you could possibly find.

Good luck!

 

This is some very true and wise advice.

Spend lots of time researching and planning, it will serve you well.

 

Word to the wise just stay WAY the HELL away from Florilli. Put it to you this way I would not let my EX wife that I would love to send to HELL drive there.

 

I highly recommend that you look into the Kirkwood Community College truckdriving program in Cedar Rapids. At 2,600$ it's a real bargain compared to the private, for profit programs. If you get your CDL through a company like CRST, you have to sign a contract with them, and you MUST stay with them for a period of time (a year??). If you quit before the contract time is up, you have to pay for your CDL training, which is often 7-8,000$ plus interest!! Many people have gone bankrupt with these schemes.

By the way, drive by the CRST "dorms" on 6th street in CR that you would be staying at during your training. If they still have the same dorms that they had a few years ago, you will RUN! Also, look at their trucks. They all look pretty nasty, and do you really want to be cooped up in a small truck with another guy for that long on the road?