Questions from Nevada

To start off, I am looking to sign up at a school in Las Vegas and there are not many options. I am pretty settled on going with Southwest Truck Driver Training but there is not too much feedback on them. Some other threads I saw about them never got any replies that actually provided info on the school or were only about their school in Arizona.

Also AIT is not an option, they are way over priced and their presentation was a joke. The lady just flipped through a 20 year old binder with a script for her to read and she went straight in to trying to get me to fill out paper work.

I am also seeing mixed opinions on PTDI certification. I'll be paying cash for my schooling so I am really trying to avoid having to go to an out of state school just because it's PTDI certified. Does anyone here have direct experience with Southwest in Las Vegas?

It's also been suggested to me to study for a Hazmat certification on my own so I can get it along with my CDL to start. Is the pay for Hazmat really worth it? I've seen some posts that just talk about what a hassle it is and the fact that you don't get paid anything extra for it a lot of times.

A lot of people say don't ever pay for your school, but that's what I want to do. I want to pay my money upfront and not be stuck in some low ball contract because my employer paid for my schooling. I have the money saved up for it, Southwest is about $3,500 if you're paying cash. It seems really low but that's only because you save almost 50% if you pay cash.

Ok, enough of my rambling for now. I know I am limiting my options by only looking local but there are some circumstances in my life that require it. I know that sounds odd since I'll be away for such long periods of time while I am working but until I actually do start working I have to stay local. Any tips/advice would be appreciated.

 

Funny, most people say to pay for your own schooling (or get the state to do it, if that's an option in NV) so you're not beholding to a company. Hazmat is iffy, opens more options to you but some companies don't require it.

 

I went to Southwest. It's a CDL mill, and the instructors will tell you that it's their job to get you out there earning a paycheck quickly, rather then spend six months attending a community college somewhere.

All in all though, the training wasn't too bad and the price is good compared to what a lot of guys spend. I paid cash up front as well, and I felt I got my money's worth.

 

jmaster, by all means pay for school, it leaves you so many more options. Haz-Mat is a matter of opinion, I myself do not have it,and have never ran into a situation that I needed it. I only drove OTR for 6 months or so and then took a local gig and neither one has required them. So if you want it go get it. I always say the more options the better but IMHO I felt I could make it with out. I also have doubles/triple and tanker and have never used either but I dont think they cost me any to get.

 

Every driving job I had except for aggregate, require the hazmat to even be considered for employment. Now I realize that this was a long time ago, but it sure can't hurt to have it. (Other than the initial cost and bother of getting it.) I have no info on the school you are talking about.

 

Good to know about the Hazmat. I can always get it and use it if need be. The issue with paying or not paying for school is one of those things I've seen debated both ways. I've been looking here and on other trucking sites/forums. A lot that I found kept saying to never pay for it yourself but the counter argument to that was you always got stuck in some low-ball contract at that specific company.

The impression I got from Southwest is I'll get the basics and my license. Then it will be up to the recruiting program of the company that hires me to really learn the ropes. Even then I know I'll start off not making much money but I won't owe anyone anything.

The other option it leaves open for me is if I don't get offered any OTR job that I like I still have a CDL that I can take any where. What I'd like to do, and this is purely motivated by money, is eventually haul tankers or something along those lines. I mention that because I would assume it pays more but I just don't know. I know tankers are a separate endorsement too. Anyone here know anything about making more money hauling tankers or things like that?

I'll be turning 30 next year and I just want a job where I'm not living pay check to pay check any more. Making $700-$800 a week may not seem like a lot to some people but for me that's almost twice what I make now. Allowing me to almost double my quality of life. That's why I've decided to get into trucking.

 

Most guys I know (at least company drivers) still basically live paycheck to paycheck or as they say, just a few paychecks from being homeless....That's sad.

Once you have your CDL - your 1/2 way there but it's hard to 'take it anywhere' as most local places require 6-12 months out with a carrier...but maybe the school has some local contacts that would consider a guy out of school.

If your past has ANYTHING weird (Poor MVR or police issues or even a past DUI from 10+yrs ago) - be leery of any promises a school might offer on placement....
Even if you tell the school ahead of time of this and they still tell you its "no problem" to get a job, be leery....
...many guys on here have found that out - after dropping serious $ on a school, just to find out they have no job.

Best of luck to you. Paying for your own school (I did back in 89) is one of the SMARTEST things you can do. Paying cash is even better.
Starting out with NO DEBT is the way to go....

 

I wouldn't exhaust to much though into picking a mill. Most of your training is going to come after you graduate school and are with your trainer out on the road. You will learn more in one day with your trainer then 3 weeks of the mill.

The school is just there to get you ready for your trainer.

 

I would suggest keeping the current lifestyle and banking that additional money for a long while.

It is hard to do, but will pay off in the end.

Mikeeee

 

I hate to tell you but Las Vegas is very hard to start out driving. It seems that there's either a great job or a bad job with no in-between. Some companies look at the PTDI and if it's fits your needs I'd say go for it. The object is to look better on paper than the next guy. There are thousands of new drivers each year and the companies are very picky on who they hire. CDL mills are there to get your CDL and that's it. You'll go to a job with hardly any knowledge of driving or the truck so you can understand why a company would pick the better application. The longer the school the better, that is most of the time. So you've got your work cut out for you in what you decide. Good luck