Unemployed, looking for options and info...

Lot of people start at Swift...get their time in and move on.

 

Before you limit yourself with company paid training you need to look into WIA grants (see http://www.naolweb.com/youth411/wia.html)

Even if you can't get any grants/financial aid I would still look at Bevill State Community College (http://www.bscc.edu/programs/truck-driving-training.php). It appears that it would cost less than $2,000 to get your licence thru them. While $2,000 may seem like a lot you'll more than make it back by being able to start with a better company (Schneider, Rohel, Covent, Crete to name a few).

If you have to use company paid training then I would recommend Prime. Just keep in mind that most "company paid training" means that you will team drive for 6 months to a year. If you quit before the agreed upon time the company can hit your credit report and/or send debt collectors after you.

 

Not sure what you consider a "fair wage" but in my book you will be hard pressed to find it. If starter companies wanted to pay me 17 years ago what they pay today I never would have started. And your hard work is often times nor rewarded because the government limits your ability to work. With a family I would seriously reconsider. BTW, company sponsored training is the worst way to start in the industry IMO. If you really want to do this attend a community college on either a grant or a loan and pay it back as quickly as possible. I've said it a hundred times......." If you go into the trucking industry broke and desperate you will most likely leave it more broke and more desperate."

 

Yep, for company sponsored training, Prime is a good place to start. I think you only need $100.00 for the processing fee and that's it. They front the money for food and furnish lodging. $600.00 a week while riding with a trainer.

Another good choice for company sponsored training is Millis Transfer.

Make absolutely sure your application is perfect with nothing left out. Make absolutely sure your blood pressure and sugar levels are good, even if medication is required. Study the "CDL Practice Tests" on this website which can be accessed at the top of this page.

If you go to a private CDL school instead, apply with companies with good pay and healthcare for you and your family such as :

Melton Truck Lines
SVTN
Schneider tanker division
Superior-Carriers

 

Welcome and good luck

 

I would do whatever you have to do avoid company training and thus being beholding to any company.
I coughed up the money and it wasn't easy but I'm very glad I did.
I was in your shoes 3 years ago,I had been unemployed 16 months after losing a job I had for 24 years due to the housing collapse.
I hated OTR....just was not for me and the only way you'll know is when you get out there.
I toughed it out for a year then landed a local job that gets me home daily, did a year of nights before landing dayshift and now life is good.
I'm so glad I wasn't locked into a company by training with them and had options, quit the first one at just 4 months to take a regional gig closer to home.
Just my 2cts friend, avoid doing that company thing if at all possible.

 

My husband & I started with Swift & went through their driving school. That was over 5 years ago, stayed there 3 years. DO NOT go with CRST! Not unless you want to drive team with someone you don't know!