Profile For Stephen M.

Stephen wrote:

I just rather pay 4k for a school and get more options and get the tuition reimbursements than 6-7k contract.

6-7k contract? Where did you hear that? Paid CDL Training Programs typically require a 12 month driving commitment. The $$$ value of these courses are less than 4K if you paid out of pocket.

With Swift if you drive for them a minimum of 12 months, the 4K is discounted by about half and paid off with a weekly $38.00 deduction. After month 12, Swift reimburses the same $38.00 per week until the balance is at zero. After 24 months your schooling is free.

Considering your desire for a more local gig, Swift arguably has the most regional and dedicated options available. Many of those options are available immediately after mentoring (200 hrs of road training). I have been running Walmart Dedicated for over 5 years and have no desire to look elsewhere.

Brett recently wrote this article (link) that offers a perspective you may not have considerd: Why Paid CDL School is Preferred

Not trying to change your mind, however I think it's important to understand the big picture as you make your decision. Good luck.

I think thats what Stevens will charge you all together with if you just quit during the contract

Stephen wrote:

I just rather pay 4k for a school and get more options and get the tuition reimbursements than 6-7k contract.

6-7k contract? Where did you hear that? Paid CDL Training Programs typically require a 12 month driving commitment. The $$$ value of these courses are less than 4K if you paid out of pocket.

With Swift if you drive for them a minimum of 12 months, the 4K is discounted by about half and paid off with a weekly $38.00 deduction. After month 12, Swift reimburses the same $38.00 per week until the balance is at zero. After 24 months your schooling is free.

Considering your desire for a more local gig, Swift arguably has the most regional and dedicated options available. Many of those options are available immediately after mentoring (200 hrs of road training). I have been running Walmart Dedicated for over 5 years and have no desire to look elsewhere.

Brett recently wrote this article (link) that offers a perspective you may not have considerd: Why Paid CDL School is Preferred

Not trying to change your mind, however I think it's important to understand the big picture as you make your decision. Good luck.

I heard/read you pay more than 4k if you break the contract and quit. Oh okay I'll def look into the regional dedicated options swift has. Is the 200 hrs of road training OTR? Is your Walmart Dedicated run home daily?

The hurry I guess would be I just don't dig the whole OTR or regional idea

Stephen, we highly recommend you do one year over the road. It gives you a chance to really learn what you're doing. There are no shortcuts to success in this business. Anytime a person is looking for the type of opportunities you keep mentioning, they almost always serve their purposes better by doing one year over the road first. You'd save yourself a ton of money, and help smooth out your path to success by re-evaluating the Paid CDL Training Programs.

Let's say you get three months in somewhere, then you take one of these local/semi-local jobs you are seeing advertised. What do you think will happen if you get in a little fender bender and they decide you're not worth any further risk? You won't even have one year of experience, plus an accident, and a dismissal. You'll be out all that cash you spent for training, out of a job, and quite possibly out of opportunities at that point.

Stephen we've seen all these scenarios multiple times in here, from people who always seemed to know better than us. I know you're going to go with what you think is best for you, but I just hope you'll seriously consider the advice here that you seem to keep brushing aside.

Oh okay that makes sense. How often could I get home if I hopped on Swift Transport and did the whole cdl sponsored training program with them? What would happen if I just can't handle the OTR and quit and come home? That's really the only thing im so uncomfortable with company sponsored programs.

It says:

"While some drivers do run a regional or dedicated account directly after training, most drivers remain in the OTR division for 6 months to 1yr. However, drivers may choose a “comfort zone” in which Swift will make every attempt to keep drivers within a 1 to 2 day trip back home and remain in an area drivers are more comfortable with."

"If a driver leaves before the first 52 weeks, the driver will owe $75 for every week remaining. For example, if a driver leaves after 6 months of employment, the following will be owed:

52 week repayment plan minus 26 weeks of employment = 26 weeks remaining. 26 weeks @75 = $1,950 payment due"

Idk if the payment plan they set you up with is interest free... I would have to read their contract. I will contact the recruiter about my questions too next week. But I hear to never trust them.

I can't help with best school in Dallas, but I am curious why you are against company sponsored training. Many members here have taken advantage of that and are very successful. As far as paying some person to teach you I would strongly advise against it. Most companies require 160 hours of schooling because that's what their insurance company requires. I understand its cheaper to do it that way but in reality its likely going to be a waste of money. There are no shortcuts when it comes to learning to SAFELY operate a truck.

I just rather pay 4k for a school and get more options and get the tuition reimbursements than 6-7k contract. If a regional or local job doesn't come along I'll do the OTR for about 3 months and get on a local company. I called international trucking school and they said its 200 hour class. Yeah I agree with doing the weekend CDL for 1k doesn't sound safe. I'll stick with a school, just trying to figure out witch one...

Your statement about having more options if you pay your own way....while its true some companies hire recent grads but don't offer company sponsored training, don't fall into the trap we see here far too frequently of thinking your a "free agent". Too many people hear that there's a driver shortage and think that these companies are just gonna drool over ANYBODY that holds a CDL. What many people fail to see is its a shortage of experienced drivers who are DEPENDABLE, SAFE, RELIABLE. I didn't see you mention anything of that matter in your post, just want to make sure you understand that. Whether you go with paid training, or community college/private school you will still learn the bare minimum to pass the test. Your real learning will begin during training at whom ever you decide to work for.

Yes I wont think that. Yeah 99 percent of ads with huge sign on bonuses require a year or more experience. Schneider and UsExpress are kinda what im leaning on to apply for after I get graduate from accredited school. And if they don't work out of whatever I can try to apply at other companies that will make me stay out longer...

You won't be able to get any local gigs with 3 months experience man. As it was mentioned before, there are no shortcuts. With 3 months, you're still considered a student. Most companies would make you go through orientation and training all over again. Company sponsored, private school or a community college/tech school is the way to go. What's the hurry if I may ask?

I've been seeing several different ads on craigslist over the years requiring at least 3 months experience. UsExpress has an ad about being home daily without any experience. Schneider recently has an job posting on their website about a home daily position opened for "all CDL holders", it's hard to catch that one... I talked to both of them on the phone and they said they require certification from school to be considered. But Schneider consistently has a home several times a week position available and a few home weekly ones too, if it comes down to it I can look into doing that. So I think getting CDL through either TDI or International would be the best bet, just trying to find out the best one in Dallas...

The hurry I guess would be I just don't dig the whole OTR or regional idea, I like being coming home and doing my thing. But if it comes down to it I'll do OTR in stride for a better future...

Hello Stephen, welcome to Trucking Truth's forum!

Rob is exactly right - as a greenhorn rookie driver you will have a very difficult time getting hired without being able to produce a certificate of training that indicates 160 hours of a combination of classroom and driving training. Paying "Bubba" to teach you "everything" over the weekend will be a really good waste of money. Believe it or not, at the beginning of your career, that certificate is of more value than your shiny new CDL license.

Now, I'm assuming you've already done a little research and determined that you don't want to be a "slave" to some company's contractual obligation. If my assumption is correct then I hope you'll take a little time to read this great article that will help you understand Why We Like Company Sponsored Training.

All of us here are successful truck drivers, and we will always shoot straight with you. Unfortunately most trucking forums and chat rooms are made up of wannabes and failures which gives newcomers a really skewed look into this industry. You'll need some professional training, and we are pretty fond of the Paid CDL Training Programs.

By the way, take a look at tge following links. There's a tremendous amount of great help in them and I'm sure you will benefit from the time you spend with them.

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road CDL Training Program

Thanks so much for all the info! Looks like I'll be going with a private school like TDI or International trucking school. Defiantly be attending a accredited 160+ school. I'll be reading ever link you sent. I'm just trying to decide between TDI or International.

I can't help with best school in Dallas, but I am curious why you are against company sponsored training. Many members here have taken advantage of that and are very successful. As far as paying some person to teach you I would strongly advise against it. Most companies require 160 hours of schooling because that's what their insurance company requires. I understand its cheaper to do it that way but in reality its likely going to be a waste of money. There are no shortcuts when it comes to learning to SAFELY operate a truck.

I just rather pay 4k for a school and get more options and get the tuition reimbursements than 6-7k contract. If a regional or local job doesn't come along I'll do the OTR for about 3 months and get on a local company. I called international trucking school and they said its 200 hour class. Yeah I agree with doing the weekend CDL for 1k doesn't sound safe. I'll stick with a school, just trying to figure out witch one...

Hi!

I'm wonder which school in Dallas is the best to go with, and wondering whats the best way to get CDL A. I don't want to do the company sponsored CDL program thing. I would like to go to an independent school here in Dallas and go from there. Is an accredited school worth it? Also wondering if its even worth going to school for CDL, I could pay some guy to teach me with his truck over the weekend and get me prepared for everything that's on the exam for about a thousands dollars. Lemme know what you guys think. Thanks!