Comments By Alfred G.

Werner does not have a sponsored training program. You would go to a school and Werner would reimburse you. In my case, I got a loan for school and Werner pays a certain amount per month and then two large amounts at your 6 month and year marks.

There is no amount of time that you have to work for them, but if you leave, they stop reimbursement at that point.

Thank you for informing me! I was not given enough information on our call. I'd been studying (and still am) for my CDL permit since Sage advised getting it, along with pre-hire letters, to approach possible co-signers, as I'll need one.

Essentially, TDI would be sharing all their info with a requirement to get a cosigner for a student loan. I'm going to stick with Sage: it's less expensive, and it's 1 on 1 instruction. He didn't hide info either.

Again, thank you! I was spared a lot of time, and disappointment :-)

I suspected TDI was their training school, so I looked up "Sanford CDL". The phone number and address the Werner rep gave me match TDI's number and address.

I went to Sage for a seminar last week, and Sage focuses on 1 on 1 training, citing other schools as counting your time watching (on the sidelines) as instruction time. One attendee at the Sage seminar said he went to TDI, and he confirmed it was true. I didn't hear why he was at Sage that night.

I know school's main job is to have you pass the CDL. I'm just wishing to be aware of pros (financial) and cons (not being trained adequately). I will look up TDI here on TT

While sitting here studying for my Florida CDL permit in TruckingTruth, I got a call from Werner. I'd contacted them recently for driver training offerings (first), then about positions open once I have my CDL (since I've looked at schooling privately too).

He called regarding the Student Driver Program, and wondered if I was still looking. I said yes, and in 5 minutes asked me basic background questions and gave me a meeting location for a personal interview, 2 days from now.

I'm writing here since I am seeking specifics on my personal requirements. The recruiter neatly said all my questions will be answered at my interview, but since my actions affect my family (time commitments) I'm seeking answers here. I did not find Werner on the Company Sponsored CDL training page--and if I missed it please point me to it.

How long must I drive with them if I commit to their program? How much does their training cost? I'll likely be training in Sanford, FL. I spoke to a Werner rep last week, and he said regional routes were open to me in my state. Might they still be offered if I go through their training (vs. private training)? Any monies needed for lodging or food while schooling?

I know most other basics. And I am grateful this support lies here.

Ok, I signed up today for Prime's CDL training program today. I got a call from 2 people in their office, and I'm set to start 2 weeks from now. I've thought of my vehicle, my house goods, my relationships, my present job....and those are all things HERE. I'm seeking imput on being ready for the trucking lifestyle OUT THERE.

1. I've learned bringing one's own food is smart, as one can't survive well off truckstop food. Do any truckers travel and use crockpots? I've survived off one for 5 years now, so I'm wondering. Food ideas are important to me, for if I eat well, I feel good about myself.

2. I've been a Florida boy my whole life, but I'm hearing it's snowing still in NY--and it's April. I am wearing longjohns at this moment (I rode motorcycles 10 years, and it hit 65 this morning--cool for humid FL), but what clothing might I need now in Northern states in spring? I'll pick up more clothing in time, but baggage space is limited presently :-)

3. Are phone headsets legal while driving? I'd heard no last year, so I'm wondering.

4. Last one for now: I drink a lot of coffee now, yet I know it can dim awareness in any arena. How do truckers stimulate their physical bodies to remain alert for driving? I've planned on walking some each rest stop (even 5 minutes), and I am open to ideas not commonly spoken of, the "good" ideas some dismiss. I'm into supplements and naturopathic remedies myself.

Thank you for replying!

Alfred

Question about Prime I'm considering:

Will I be strongly advised/pushed into a lease once finished with my trainer?

I ask since I read this from Ranting Warrior:

"It turns out there was a catch. This trucking company offered me schooling if I stayed with them for a year, a free bus ride to the state of the school, advance money for food and housing, and they would pay for the CDL fee. Well hot damn - I was there!! I wouldnt even need to bring my bank card. But wait....you get all that alright, but after training, you are only a company driver for 6 months, at which time they offer you a leasing deal. If you refuse the lease to become your own boss, than they can not guarantee you a company driver position, which means you will be 6 months short of paying off the schooling. Which means you had better find another job ASAP. I dont know too much about the whole leasing thing, but I do know its not for me. I think the lease they were offering was anywhere from $690-$900 a week depending on the truck. In a business I know next to nothing about, I do not want to risk it. Brett has a great article on leasing called So You're Thinking About Becoming An Owner Operator?, and I agree 100% with him. You should check it out."

I am looking into Prime currently, so I'm wondering if I should be aware of this myself.

In 2010, I was unemployed. Looking for work, I somehow learned that since I was unemployed, I was eligible to be trained for another vocation, for free by the US government. I looked into trucking then. I was as good as in, but I had one medical block, and I couldn't go through with my CDL. I've since cleared my medical block and have recently done my DOT physical just to be sure.

But I've read some posts on here about people getting funded by these sources. Is this correct? I'm in FL, and am seeking CDL training possibilities.

Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Hey I just finished going through Prime's training program and am waiting in the hotel for my company trainer right now. I have heard bad things about CRST but I don't know, maybe I just got bad information. CRST, Swift, Prime, and CR England were the companies I was choosing between when I was in your spot a few weeks ago; I ended up choosing Prime in the end. I came in never driving a manual in my life and knowing nothing of trucks/trucking. I had a good recruiter who would text me and stuff, the hotel, food, and bus fare was all paid for. After 1 year you are free of any payment for the training program, there is a 7 day grace period if you decide trucking isn't for you. I think I made the right choice

Thanks. I'm looking at Prime now. I'd originally dismissed it for one reason: being away from home (and my daughter) for a full year. But even on their site it says one can pull out in 6 months if needed (and they'll have some tuition reimbursement though). I originally told her 6-8 months I'd be gone, so I'm looking at them now. CRST says 10 months minimum, no alternatives.

Also, I looked up the team driving reading: it did ask some good questions. Team driving may make some choices less possible with a stranger. I'm grateful I was given that reading.

This is my first post here. My name's Alfred, and I'm looking into trucking. I am working for peanuts currently (though my bills are paid), yet I'm moving towards getting my CDL-A. I'm working for Waste Management as a temp (not driving), and I'm looking at returning within a year as an experienced driver. I know I'll have to do some time OTR.

I looked into 3 local schools. My biggest block is my credit. Trucking schools don't use federal financial aid, so I'd be dependent on my personal credit. It's not too good, not too bad.

And I looked into company sponsored CDL schooling. I called Swift first, but they're not recruiting in FL, my home state. I looked into Prime and CRST too....and CRST seems more attractive to me, mostly since a recruiter called and texted me (just being honest :-) ) However, I'm curious if team driving, CRST's norm, is best for me or not. I think it'd be nice, but TT's founder did not advise team driving for new drivers. Can someone explain the "not so obvious" reasons?

And more simply: it doesn't truly matter which company I'm working to train with. I've looked over the company sponsored CDL training page (though I've not looked over every company). I'll relook once I've posted this.

I am open to feedback. I've eyed CRST simply since.....it's an open door. I'll take any cues here.

Thank you all for your help, as this forum offers a LOT of help.