What class should i take?

Simple question. Basically the school i will be attending offers 160 hour group class during the day, and a 120 hour 1 on 1 class in the evenings. I'm leaning toward the 120 hour class simply because i can't afford to stop working during my training, though from what i understand, alot of places want 160 hours of training. I did ask May Trucking about this, and they said that usually they want the 160 hours, but 120 hours is acceptable because it's 1 on 1. I *might*, and that's a big might, be able to swing a 160 hour class if i can get my finances in order.

 

Of course the 160 hr. would be better, but either way, you will be hired by a trucking company. The 120 hr. may narrow your options, but after 3 - 6 months experience dozens of companies will hire you. Even with the 120 hr. course, Maverick or Melton Truck Lines might hire you and they are 2 of the best around.

 

Honestly, the last thing I would advise anyone to do is to enter the world of driving a CMV with their financial situation out of order. Obviously being unemployed would be a different story, but if you have a job and you can get your finances on track I would strongly advise you to do so then take the 160 hour class.

 

Many trucking companies are requiring 160 hr courses to get hired. Not all...but many.

 

The issue im having is that i work at a crap job, spent some time in the hospital and now im falling behind alittle more each month. $9 an hour is not a living wage, and iv always wanted to drive, this was just the kick i needed i guess. i have about 3 weeks to decide, so ill hafta see what i can do.

 

Why pay when companies are willing to flip the bill
I don't understand

 

When you do a company's training, you are committed to them for a set amount of time (typically 1 year) to pay back the training. That time period is most commonly at a reduced pay rate. The company "owns you" for that time and will often treat you as an indentured servant. Also that training takes place at a specific facility that most commonly isn't near your home, without pay. 3-6 weeks paying for food etc (lodging provided) away from home with no imcome.....

I was lucky and had VA funding for my training (disabled vet) so I took an independent school. I worked my period at a bottom feeder for experience, and kept my options open for moving on.

 

^^ I know that but if u think about it they might as well stay with that company for the year if they starting out
To gain the experience
Man I was with Crst for 8 months of hell
Only made 14k for the whole time I was there


Ran to a better company
First year with new company made 51k

 

True you have to sign on for a year most likely but I don't think a year is to bad. I am going through Prime Inc. for my training. for your week or orientation they of course provide you with a room and a meal card for 3 meals a day. Once you get on a truck you can borrow up to $200 a week until you pass your CDL and are hired. then they take $25 a check until the money borrowed is paid back. When in the team training part of the program the pay is $600 a week or .12 cent a mile whichever is greater. The $600 a week is pretty much the best training pay out there right now.

 

personally 120 hours of 1 on 1 training sounds much better to me
if you get in a big class you might only see 5-10 hours behind the wheel until
you go take your test at DMV
Transam required 120 hours when i started
i did 160 because i got my bus endorsement also
not that i think i am going to drive a bus EVER
but 5 years ago i never thought i would drive a truck again either