Profile For Da Bird is Da Word

Thanks for the words of advice. Does DOT do hair tests at this time or is this just a requirement based on which company you work for? I will talk about this with recruiters from different companies and consider putting this off until I am completely sure I can pass both.

Anyone have answers to my other questions? Specifically about whether or not you receive pay during your company sponsored CDL training and whether you have to live at the training facility if the company sponsored school is local?

Hey guys. I'm strongly considering becoming a truck driver and I have tons of questions about the industry and what life on the road is like. I've been doing lot of reading on these forums and on the web site, lots of useful information!

Now I have a question about how this all starts. When you do paid CDL training for a big company like Swift, CRST, Pam Transport, or what have you...do you get paid while you are being trained to acquire your CDL?? How does that work? Right now I make only 10 dollars an hour and my girlfriend and I live paycheck to paycheck and struggle to get by. I know CDL training is expensive, so having that provided to me at no cost to me via one of these companies is a huge blessing in and of itself. But if I'm not earning money to pay the rent while I'm in school, then me and my girl won't have anywhere to stay by the time I finish class! So understanding how this whole process works is very important and will help me come up with a plan for what to do.

I have a couple other questions. Let's say I choose CRST...they have schools right here in Savannah, GA where I live. If I were go with them, would I have to live there during training? In all the FAQs I've read about company sponsored CDL training, room & board is always a topic and it seems to be a given that trainees will be staying at their training facilities away from home. But wait! If my training facility is local, is that necessary? I realize the answer to this question shouldn't dictate where I go. If I can land with a better company than CRST then I will probably go with the better company regardless. Still, getting to come home and be with my sweetheart every night at least during the initial training period and not having to worry about extra costs for room & board is a consideration.

Also, how long after contacting a recruiter will I be shipped off to school? There are a couple things I have to consider here. For one...I have to admit, I do like to smoke weed and I only started considering this new career recently. For a REAL job, I'm more than happy to put the pipe down. Still, I want at least a month to clear my system out to be on the safe side. Another thing is that I will need to put in a few weeks notice with my current place of employment. Doesn't matter how much I hate my work, I always do things the right way and wouldn't just abandon my job because some recruiter wants to ship me off to training right away.

Thank you guys so much for your time and efforts into answering my questions! God bless.

Usually - insurance won't pay for a DOT Physical & Screen.

My Primary Care Physician, does DOT Physicals - but won't do it and charge it to insurance - says BlueCross doesn't allow it. He gets $90 - but a chiro I've been using for years, does it for $30.

Not a tough decision at all.

Rick

Oh ok. I didn't know there was a difference between that and a regular physical. Thanks for clearing up!

I can get a physical for free with my health insurance. When applying for CDL school or a company-paid CDL program is it possible for me to just get my own physical and drug screen done or do they require you to pay the 100 dollars or so to have it done in-house?

Hey guys, I'm new to the site. I've been doing some light research on trucking and am considering getting into it. I'm 24 years old, live with my girlfriend, and have been stuck making 10 to 11 dollars an hour the last few years. I have driven on many long distance trips to see family and friends all over the country and have always thought it would be cool to learn how to drive a big truck. The time away from home may take some adjusting, but it's something I'm strongly considering and have some frank questions about the starting new in the industry.

I don't have $2000+ straight up for CDL classes, so I've taken an interest in the paid CDL training programs that some companies are doing. I live in Savannah, GA. So far the only paid CDL training program that I've found locally is CRST. I've heard a lot of bad things about these guys, but I've got a strong work ethic and feel like I can be successful anywhere so long as I'm given the opportunity. Now, for my questions...

How much money can a student be expected to make working for CRST or a comparable company? Right now I'm making $10 an hour working for a health insurance company. My monthly income is $1200 after taxes. It's not enough to pay the bills. Is it reasonable to expect at least $2000 monthly income (after taxes) as a new trucker? I know the pay starting out isn't great, but I need to immediately be doing better than what I'm making now to justify the leap into a year-long contract and a total change in lifestyle.

Also, do any of you guys happen to know other trucking companies that are hiring in the Savannah area and pay for your classes? What other strategies might I consider? Getting a loan to pay for CDL classes and then getting hired on by a company that will do tuition reimbursement? I had some other questions but I can't seem to remember right this second. I'll post them as they come to me. Thank you guys for the time and effort into responding to my questions!