newbie looking for some advice

First of all thanks for your service. I was in your situation 12 yrs ago. I went with Schneider to get my CDL. They re a good company to start out with. There are a few others that offer CDL training. I would avoid companies such as Swift, Werner, Covenant. By you also being a veteran, there may be some local schools that will help you get your CDL and sponsored by the state you live in

 

you should have your G.I. bill available still, right? Plenty of CDL schools out there that are G.I. bill approved. Just find your local one stop veterans center in your state and they will get you set up with what you need. go here, this will get you pointed in the right direction. http://www.gibill.va.gov

That GI bill is pretty good, pay for your school and put some money in your pocket while you are going. Use it, you earned it.

 

Thank you for your service. Before you use your GI bill, look into grants, their are a bunch out their if you are willing to look.

I don't usually advocate company schools, cause they bind you to the company, for a period of time. But I think someone that just got out of the military can put up with their BS rules and reg's and just look at the end goal.

If you go that route, check ALL the companies, see which one gives you the best deal. I've heard contract times from 6 months to 2 yrs. As was posted in another thread, even if you go to a school you, proabaly, will end up at a "training" company, you just won't be obligated. You pay for the schooling one way or the other and your CDL is worth the same amount.

Personally IF I could swing the finances, I'd go the private school route, community college.

 

Absolutely right. NEVER EVER get into some "indentured servitude" agreement with a company. At the end of the day, the only hing I'm signing with a company is a paycheck.

Check on the community colleges in your area. Physically go to one and find the financial aid person. They will hold your hand through the process. Being a vet, (welcome home, former Navy here) there is no reason why you can't get free training. It's out there, and there are good people who will help you along the way. Community colleges will teach you how to drive a truck while companies will teach you how to work for the company.

Good luck with it

 

I was in the Navy my self ( 89 to 93 sima Norfolk)

When I got out I had hmmm issues finding a job ( long but kinda funny story) so I went back to school and got an AS in science, paramedics. I didn't shell out a penny. Found a private grant/funding. My funding covered just about everything, school/houseing related. I guess you could say my GI bill covered pre-k and day care for my son while I was in school.

What I'm saying is the funding is out Their all you have to do is look.

 

Try Prime. No cost for CDL training, if you stay for a year. You can start solo at 41-cpm after training.

 

Ya know what? I had the money, went to a third-party driving school (already used my VA on a 4-year degree so who needs CC?) and if I had to do it again? I'd choose company-sponsored training. I'd still have the money, and frankly all a third-party school or CC can do is get you to the point that you can pass a state road test for your CDL. Barely. They do not have the resources to give you adequate seat time, and if they did, you couldn't afford it.

 

That is probably all true, I don't like being obligated to anyone, been their done that still have the DD14. That was enough. I don't regret my time in the Navy, but I would not do it again.

Company paid schools are an option and not the very worst one. I think borrowing money to go to a cc and then getting a "newbie" cpm would be a worse choice. JMO