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Which way should I go?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Woodys, Sep 28, 2011.

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  1. Sep 28, 2011 #1
    Woodys

    Woodys Heavy Load Member

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    So here's the situation. At the moment I'm employed with a beer distributor who offers to pay for CDL training after you've worked with them for at least a year. You also sign a contract to truck with them for a year (sideloaders). My only thing with them, having worked in the warehouse for 6 months, is it seems they'd probably drag out putting you in training as long as possible to keep you in the warehouse since they need all the hands they can get.

    Now, I could also go to my community college and take their 10 week CDL course for around $2500. I figured this would let me get the training I want. And I could start driving with my company as soon as I get the CDL, as well as maybe getting offers from a decent OTR company.

    If you have any experience on the matter please share your thoughts, I'm kinda stuck on what to do.
     
    Woodys, Sep 28, 2011
    Woodys, Sep 28, 2011
    #1
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  3. Sep 28, 2011 #2
    Diesel Dave

    Diesel Dave Last Few of the OUTLAWS

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    Stick with the beer company and let them pay for your training. Not only that, you will be on the clock getting paid to be trained. If you do it on your own, it's just costing you money out of your pocket. Be PATIENT, it will pay off in the long run. Piece of advice, keep bugging your boss there, and tell them you want to go sooner than later to be trained.
     
    Diesel Dave, Sep 28, 2011
    Diesel Dave, Sep 28, 2011
    #2
  4. Sep 28, 2011 #3
    Superquack

    Superquack Medium Load Member

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    Stay where your at. I startted training for mine where I was already employed. Being paid to get your cdl is far better then going in debt to do so. Plus you will already get a good job, instead of having almost no other options besides the bottom feeders.
     
    Superquack, Sep 28, 2011
    Superquack, Sep 28, 2011
    #3
  5. Sep 28, 2011 #4
    48Packard

    48Packard Ol' Two-stop Shag!

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    Only potential drawback is that if you stay where you are, get your CDL, and complete the year, you will likely have to at least go out with a trainer for a bit with whatever company you hook up with. This is because many companies do not consider the sideloaders as experience.

    The flip side to that is that if you shell out the bucks for a CDL, you still have to go through the training.

    Sounds like you've got a good thing right where you are. Be patient and stay put, IMHO.

    Good luck!
     
    48Packard, Sep 28, 2011
    48Packard, Sep 28, 2011
    #4
  7. Sep 28, 2011 #5
    Superquack

    Superquack Medium Load Member

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    All the beer places I've seen have other tractor/trailer combos aside from side loaders, could move up to that.
     
    Superquack, Sep 28, 2011
    Superquack, Sep 28, 2011
    #5
  8. Sep 28, 2011 #6
    Saddletramp1200

    Saddletramp1200 Road Train Member

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    I did it this way. Ask the Shop Foreman if you can sit in a tractor. He will say yes. Look around. LOOK around. Thank him, DO it the next day. He is glancing at you. Wondering if you will be a Trucker, or a Washout. Ask if any trailers need moving.
    He can keep his mechanics working if they don't have to move trucks! Tell him I want to learn. Someway he will give you a chance. Took me two weeks. You can learn more about trucks & trailers working in the yard for a few weeks than any B/S trucking school can teach you. The rest is up to you :)
     
    Saddletramp1200, Sep 28, 2011
    Saddletramp1200, Sep 28, 2011
    #6
    Diesel Dave Thanks this.
  9. Sep 28, 2011 #7
    snowman01

    snowman01 Road Train Member

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    Why on earth would you indenture yourself to a company for a year? What if something happened and you had to leave? I would never do such a thing.
     
    snowman01, Sep 28, 2011
    snowman01, Sep 28, 2011
    #7
  10. Sep 29, 2011 #8
    Woodys

    Woodys Heavy Load Member

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    Tampa, FL
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    That's actually how a lot of companys are doing it from what I've heard. You actually get paid to get trained for your CDL, but in return you agree to work for that company for X months unless your fired obviously. You just have to get the right employer that won't take advantage of that agreement.

    Yea I was thinking having a job lined, even if I don't like the employer, is still probably better than having to go with Swift or something.

    That's another thing, in the warehouse area that I'm stationed at we don't deal with anything but sideloaders, however whenever I'm leaving work I usually see t&t combos pulling up and some double trailers. I just have to see if those are slim pickings or not.

    I hear ya haha, but as a new driver I'll have to go through that stuff one way or another.


    Anyways, thanks for the input ... helps a lot.
     
    Woodys, Sep 29, 2011
    Woodys, Sep 29, 2011
    #8
  11. Sep 29, 2011 #9
    semiret

    semiret Light Load Member

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    What happens if you quit before the year is up??
     
    semiret, Sep 29, 2011
    semiret, Sep 29, 2011
    #9
  12. Sep 29, 2011 #10
    Superquack

    Superquack Medium Load Member

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    Kid they only use sideloaders, you could do do the year and go to Pepsi or cok3 and move to bulk. Where I work ill be doing van, but can do flats or tankers, otr as well
     
    Superquack, Sep 29, 2011
    Superquack, Sep 29, 2011
    #10
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