School question

I looked at both websites and both schools are 160 hour formal schools. I'm not sure what the 120 hrs. behind the wheel extra at Premier is unless it makes the school 280 hrs. Doesn't matter, both schools are good for jobs.
Community college cdl schools have a reputation nationwide for excellent training and smaller classes. Drivers on this forum that attended community college programs have nothing but praise for the programs.
You want a regional job; you know that's usually just running a few surrounding states in a defined area. Is that what you really want?
Anyway, there's a couple dozen companies that will hire you as a 21 yr. old cdl school graduate.
Lincoln Land Community College has a pretty good list of companies that hire from their program; local/regional and OTR. The website shows the companies listed have contacted them looking for drivers.
We can also give you names of companies that aren't on that list.
Don't worry, you'll be flooded with job offers.

 

Go for the community college then, if they have funding available through the non-profit.
Beelman Truck Company is regional. Not all terminals hire new cdl grads though. Some do. Beelman is listed on the schools list of companies that hire new grads.
Carter Express - has good reputation for hometime and decent paychecks.
Schneider Bulk - tanker division hires 21 yr. old drivers & new cdl school grads. Shouldn't have any problem making $1000 to $1500 weekly.

 

I am a big fan of the Community College training. My class started with 3 students and ended up with just 2. I got all of the driving preparation needed for passing my test with flying colors. Look into the community college financial aid. This will give you many more options than being stuck with a carrier for a year. I’m sure that you can find endless horror stories within “Truckers Report” forums. And of course the opposite is true. I was able to use my military benefits to cover my tuition.

In the St Louis market, I was hired with zero experience into foodservice. Home daily, finger print unloading, great pay (I made in the 70s my first full calendar year) for a new driver and I was home daily. The younger, the stronger, the better. I did it in my forties and was in the best shape of my life.

Other options are companies like Coke, Pepsi, beer distributors etc.

I think that when you’re trying to get that first year under your belt that you can expect to be either over the road or working product off your trailer locally. I chose the local with the labor but I enjoy the exercise and I believe that it pays better for the extra work. I still do food service but everything is palletized and I use a lift gate instead of a 2 wheeler and a ramp. I still enjoy what I do.

Good luck to you. You have endless informational resources between YouTube and Internet forums.

And, go for the Community College training!

 

Btw, trucking is such an in demand field that you’ll have no problem getting hired once you obtain your cdl

 

Go through the Workforce office and take the independent school.

Any old school always think THEY are the "YALE" of some subject. There are thousands of them.

Training is a misnomer. You learn just enough to drive a semi tractor trailer around the block with the nice state tester without hurting anyone or breaking anything. And boom you have your CDL. That is your graduation diploma.

Once you have your CDL, your REAL training, education and schooling will now begin. Bought and paid for you you'rn in blood, sweat and tears. Do not follow the music of the Pied Pipers (Recruiters), go to the truckstop and talk directly to the drivers at the counter.

 

Schneider has regional accounts by the dozens. They have a cdl school in Gary, IN and I've heard several more scattered around. They might pay for school at 160 Driving Academy. They also will reimburse cdl school tuition directly back to you, up to $7000.00
www.schneiderjobs.com may show what's available. Lots of new cdl grads go right to regional accounts with Schneider.