Sage school in NC....

I did Sage in Henderson CO. Different school, but I assume that the curriculum is similar. They did an adequate job, I got things I know aren't provided by the training program that my company offers. They do give you 1-on-1 instruction - which beats the heck out of the schools that load up the sleeper with students, and then the student that has a problem gets all the time. One comment I hear from my companies trainers is that they feel that third-party school graduates (like Sage) aren't as well prepared as the new CDL drivers graduated from our company's in-house program. Take that for what it's worth. I think I got my money's worth from Sage.

They have you fill out applications to OTR companies that they have contacts with. The companies review your application and documentation, and then issue "pre-hire" letters if they are interested. That's all you're going to get anywhere - you'll have to go through the orientation process and the company microscope before you get hired on. Think of those pre-hire letters as an invitation to a very exclusive job fair. If you survive, you'll have a job as a trainee.

That being said, make sure you have as many of these prehire offers as possible - gives you a range of places to go to - and check the comments on the companies out here. If you talk to a company recruiter who has no interest in answering question, I'd say that's an immediate tell on a crappy company to drive for. If they're like that now, how are they going to treat you after they've got you? Remember that you're going to have to drive for at least a year before you can move somewhere else... two is better - so you're going to be at your first company for awhile. I'd suggest you ask about how long training is at the companies you decide are worth your interest - the longer the better. Counter-intuitative from an earnings standpoint, but this is a dangerous business and there is a lot more to learn that one might suspect. Longer training = a better driver, and you're looking at this as a long-term career... not just a filler job until things get better, yes?

Had a couple of "recruiters" show up to talk to my class. The Werner guy was a slick salesman, and my classmates after dealing with paper logs for a bit were convinced by this guy that their electronic log program was the best thing since sliced bread. As a company, IMO, they're bottom feeders. As for electronic logging, it's a corporate punishment imposed by the federal government for forcing drivers to log illegally and drive beyond the limits of the HOS regulations. After being out here for a couple of years, I think I'd rather clean urinals with my tongue than work for those dirtbags. Be careful what you wish for... that "recruiter" was lying every time his mouth moved in my opinion.

 

Repayment... depends on the company.

Limits... yes. I took what I could get.

Check with your state job services... its possible they might pickup some of the tab.