Of all the company paid CDL programs...

they all have their good and bad points, but from all the information you get, i would like to think that more would say to go to a private school and pay this yourself, rather than being locked into a contract with a company you want to leave, but cannot because that contract binds you.....

let US KNOW......what YOU decide....

thanks......

 

Sorry, but this thread makes little sense. I doubt anyone has gone thru company paid training at more than one company. So how exactly would one be qualified to grade and compare the schools? All you really have to go by is the testimony of the individuals on the school that they attended.

 

If you'll read a lot of the threads here, you'll understand that while you're in training, there'll be times when you'll have little, if any, income. There are plenty of stories here that make it clear that the first year is about survival, nothing more. A guy called celticwolf has threads and postings here, and his latest today says that he's on track for about an $80 week, due to weather delays. That's just one example of many.

There are plenty of stories about people who went the company training route, flamed out, and wound up losing a bunch of money in the process, because they left the company, and wound up owing them thousands for their training. So whatever your financial situation is, keep that in mind. If you can't afford the $3K to pay your own, can you afford $6K to pay back a company if they train you and then it doesn't work out?

 

As someone who is just finishing school, I agree with the above posters who said look into a private school. Beg, borrow, steal (not really) or do what you have to to get the money to pay for a private school. The terms, no matter how bad they are, will be MUCH better than the company paid school program. You will have many more options after school. I applied for five different companies and got a pre-hire from all of them. I am in the drivers seat (pun intended) instead of the company. Most companies seem to offer a tutition reimbursement program.

So, in short, a private school can offer you more choices, tutition reimbursement, and better pay without the long-term obligation required by the mega-companies offering pre-paid CDL training. If this isn't an option, go the company paid route with your eyes open. Best of luck.

 

Dude... I JUST canceled MY tech college CDL school which was starting today.... why?

I realized that...after being on this forum for a month... I didn't know enough about things... hell...didn't know enough to even ask the right QUESTIONS!!!!

I have no problem with the school or what they offer...and it's fairly close by and I have a friend who left there and went to Werener... ( I KNOWWWWWW....) and I can tell ya stories I've heard from THAT friend about the awful Trainer, and all... but that person stuck it out through a year of solo OTR and is now very happy with a dedicated run...every day... home every day....

It was a VERY hard road for this person.....

So I decided to get my half of the 3400 bucks I'd spent back... (pick it up in the morning) and then find some G-dunk job for as long as it takes to save the entire amount for the school, plus bills and expenses for several months, and keep learning... keep talking to folks... in town, at differrent companies, and on here especially, and get better prepared... I do NOT want to end up being put out on the road in BFE by some as*&LE Trainer and being totally destitute and no way home....

Gotta prepare for a jump...or ya get the hard landing when ya hit bottom...!

Best to ya!
Skeet

 

Have you decide which route to go? I myself am still undecided which route to take: Company (SWIFT) cdl training, or a private school. From my research on TTF, the cost is about the same, give or take a few dollars. Depending on who you talk to, there are mixed opinions regarding Swift's cdl training. Swift is PTDI accredited. People say go to a PTDI program but then say, Swifts training is poor. Others say Swift is very thorough in their training. Either way, I am going to be paying for it out of pocket. If I go through Swift, I estimated the cost as:

Tuition: 3900
Room: 500
Food: 200
Fun money 100
Misc. 100
4800

Pros: PTDI school.
Usually will have a driver trainee position upon completion of school.
I am not obligated to remain with Swift after getting a cdl. Only liable for cost.
Large company that is everywhere.

Cons: Lower pay
Large company.

Trainco in Toledo, OH or Sage (in Indiana) PTDI accredited

Tuition 4000-4300
Room: 350?
Food 200
Fun money 100
misc Misc. 100
Gas 200
4950-5250

Pros: Supposed better training, especially Sage (PTDI)
Not committed to a company, (but remember, neither are you at Swift).
Probable higher start pay if at a (smaller) company?

Cons: No guarantee of employment upon completion

To me, it is just a matter of "you can pay me now, or you can pay me later."

Hope you make the best decision for you.