Probably oldest question on site

Life changes at 51? Growing hair in weird places again?

Anyway, it really all depends on what kind of driving you want to do. I'd personally recommend getting your own license first so as not to be beholden to some giant corporation. Lots of small local companies all over might give you a chance.

 

It's really up to you man I'd say Schneider is great place from what I hear. Stay away from swift!!!?? And cr England!!??? Pllleeease lol. But most companies offer tuition reimbursement you'd be better off saving a few grand and going to a truck school and then you will have options..most private schools have financing options.

And edit oh yeah also if you do into private school you won't be under a contract. Given your age you don't wanna waste time

 

I know Stevens Transport has a great training program, they just took weekly payments out of my husbands pay after training for 6 months. Stevens pays crap though, so if you trained with them, MOVE ON after your 6 months.

Edit
Also need to mention he went through a private school to get the license first, and trained more at Stevens. The training school will usually get you pre-hired at a company because the company will have tuition reimbursement. His was for 6 months

 

@truckerbunny is right; Stevens Transport is one option.
Being in California, I'd put Stevens as 3rd choice and try Jim Palmer Trucking and Prime Inc. before Stevens. 12 mos.commitment/obligation for each of these companies. Nothing wrong with that; they just want a return on their investment in you.
Jim Palmer trains in Missoula,Montana and Prime Inc. trains in Salt Lake City, Utah. They'll pay to get you to the school, then provide hotel room and meals while there.

 

J.T.P.A
Contact your local office to determine the qualification requirements. They paid for my CDL training and even provided daily lunch money and gas money in the form of a weekly check. You owe nothing and some Trucking companies even reimburse the cost of the schooling to YOU!
Good luck!

 

@overload1200poundsinfront I highly recommend you take a look at these words. Not giving any actual carrier recommendations. Try to find a tech school or if you qualify for help with job training see if you can find a grant of some kind. Company financed school is OK I am not putting it down. All I am trying to say is explore other options first. If you can get your CDL through non company financed schools you are not a slave for a year. Most of these tech schools have fantastic job placement people that WILL help you land that job.

 

Stay at the winery for another 15

 

Buy the winery. Don't drink the profits though.

I am not sure why Swift has such a bad image. Yes, they have their screw ups. But a company as large as Swift is going to have some issues. Maybe I'm in a Swift safe area, but I rarely feel unsafe driving beside a Swift. I think their training is better than most. Their equipment seems to have gotten better. I have to give them credit. They at least know they're one of the slowest trucks out there, and they actually stay out of the way for the most part. As far as pay, I know they're cheap, but I don't think they're the cheapest. I believe you could survive on Swift wages is your expenses are low

I can't say the same for some other companies out there.

 

Swift's ok for training, but they don't have APU's. That's not good when you're on a 10 hr. or 34 hr. break and not allowed to idle the truck engine.