Profile For Shane G.

Thanks PJ!

I take online reviews with a grain of salt. I will usually ask friends, neighbors or colleagues if I have a question about something, place or person. I've been doing so much research since September of last year I'm seeing YouTube videos in my sleep.

I still have about 60 days till I end my current employment so I have a little time to choose what is right for me.

Thanks again for the input, it is greatly appreciated!

Welcome Shane. Online reviews are always a mixed bag. I went through Roehl’s school many years ago. Why pay out of pocket for a private school when you can get it in exchange for a commitment to the company that trained you. For me it was a simple choice. They trained me and gave me a job on graduation.

Private schools may help you get a job, but that is far different than having the job waiting on you to graduate. Company sponsored are generally fast paced, and private ones may be a slower pace.

Not a thing wrong going with Swift. They are large with alot of reach in the industry. We have several drivers here that work there and are very happy. This business will be what you make it for yourself. This is a very diverse industry, something for everyone so to speak.

Read around on the forums and ask questions. The only dumb question is the one not asked. Wishing you well in your journey.

Nathan, thanks for your reply. Paying for the school isn't really a concern, nor is driving a truck really. I have to go through the same company classes and DOT certifications as our CDL drivers, I just don't have a CDL. I have a company car and every now and then I drive a 24' box truck to help out my customers. We also full time in a 36' fifth wheel and I tow that around a few times a year.

The school I chose is 4 weeks and would cost $4800. I am trying to come up with the "pros and cons" of paying for the schooling and then finding a job.

To me there really doesn't seem to be any cons other than the commitment to drive for a company that pays for the school.

Thanks again and best of luck!

I think the biggest advantage of paying for a private trucking school is the time of the training. Most of the schools I've read about are 4 weeks to 4 months long. That is WAAAAY longer than company-sponsored training programs. I'm currently in a company-sponsored training program and my class is 12 days total of training. Then 21 days with a driving mentor through the company I'm committing to.

Some people say that isn't long enough to be safe. Some feel that is more than enough time to learn to drive a truck as most of what you're going to learn is hands-on, on the road anyway?

I'm not sure which school of thought is most correct. I guess it depends on your personal financial situation and comfortability with driving an 80,000 lb semi. Also, how quickly you want to obtain that CDL? The right answer I believe will lie with your answers to those questions. Either way is a good way to get a CDL IMO.

Hello all and thanks for letting me join!

A brief introduction before my question: I am quitting my sales job of 15 years to become a truck driver. I feel stuck and don't really have any place to go. Mind you, I love what I do and contrary to popular belief, I am getting older so I think this is the perfect time to change. I work for a global distribution company so I am familiar with the trucking industry. It's just me, the wife, one stubborn German Shepherd and a sassy Shih Tzu. I think she prefers the dogs over me anyways!

So now to my question: We have several trucking schools within a 60 mile radius of our home. I have picked one that has really good reviews, has job placement assistance, approved by the state of WA and is competitively priced. I look to start the second week of July. Once I graduate school we are relocating to northern Oklahoma so I will need to find an employer that will work with my new home location. I have researched, called and emailed several trucking companies that hire fresh CDL graduates. I understand the pay won't be as good as a seasoned driver but I wasn't expecting some of the wages I was given. That brings me to Swift. Yes, I know, the "S" word. Their pay structure for graduates is actually pretty decent. $800 / week while OTR training with a mentor and then $.43-$.48 / mile once your solo but they guarantee at least $1K / week during your first 6 months. With that being said, why wouldn't I keep my cash and enroll in their CDL school that is just a few hours from my house? As a new driver with a fresh CDL whoever I sign on with I would stick with them at least a year anyways, so why not do that with Swift and have them pay for the school too?

I've read a lot of articles and forums for the last several months including here on TT but I wanted real world answers from those that have done it. What added benefit am I not seeing if I pay for my own school and then find someone that hires recent graduates. I know most of the canned answers such as "if they pay for the school they'll want a commitment" etc. I get all of that but for some reason I feel like I am missing something. If Swift is offering that kind of package for new graduates then why are some of the other companies new driver pay scales so bad? I have seen anything from $250 a week, $.24-$.28 / mile up to maybe $400 / week on average. I have seen a few that pay around $600 / week but the reviews are horrible and one has numerous bait / switch comments.

Any help or insight is greatly appreciated.

Thanks and have a wonderful weekend!