Comments By JT

Well said Jeremy. Let us know how the test turns out.

I went the private school route also, because I got a scholarship that paid for all of the $4,000 tuition, but $160. Had it have come out of my pocket I would have RAN to the most appropriate company sponsored school for me.

I still had 2 teens at home, so I worked full time and attended CDL school part time on weekends. I DO NOT RECOMMEND anyone doing this the way I did. It was too much and I was so exhausted and stressed. It was a nightmare. Lol. But I was determined and wasn't going to give up. My backing was HORRENDOUS lol.

Today, I've been driving for almost 2-1/2 years, training new drivers for about 1-1/2 years, and love every minute. Today I actually managed to snag some extra time on a load and took my trainee to the beach. She'd never seen an ocean before so she was very excited.. Her first time seeing the South Atlantic. Cool stuff.

Anyway, enjoy your school, be able to laugh at yourself, and remember not to oversteer during backing (turn the wheel too hard, too much).

Thanks Susan. I initially wanted to go the company sponsored school route but circumstances changed that. Since the school is only a mile and an half from my house I decided it was the best option for me then the icing on the cake was when they told me to check in to the grant thing even though I was prepared to pay for it anyway that just topped it all off. I passed my DOT physical yesterday and took my drug screen. I'm excited. I'm with you on the backing. That's the biggest thing I'm nervous about but I know most struggle with that so I know I won't be alone. You are to be commended for your dedication with children at home, having to work and go to school. I salute you.

Congrats on the job.

JT, I'm glad to see you've got the ball rolling! Bear with my little word of caution. You say you've done "exhaustive research," yet you've chosen a path that has you putting little to no "skin in the game." This career choice demands a high level of Commitment.

So far you're out 250 dollars and probably more research time than necessary. My warning is that at some point you've got to set a steel hard resolve inside yourself to make this happen. Since you don't have a lot to lose here, you're less likely to get to that point.

I'm in no way trying to criticize your approach. It's just an observation that I think you should think about. I want to meet you out here one day, but I can't get that opportunity if you don't break through the barriers that hinder so many new entry level drivers.

Old School, I don't consider your advice critical at all. I see your point. The only reason I haven't done anything sooner is I had a family commitment last week that couldn't be put off so as a result I knew it would be the end of May before I could go full on with this. As for having "no skin in the game" I had already applied to the school and was fully prepared to pay full tuition by financing it through the school when the lady at the school recommended I try to go through the unemployment office about a grant that is offered to certain unemployed individuals. I went and talked to them and was approved for the grant. As for not having much to lose I've been out of work for nearly three months so this has to work out because I need to go to work soon. So I think I have quite a bit to lose if I don't commit myself to this. I am in my mid 50's and I'm old school when it comes to work and holding down a job. I've been working since I was 15 years old and this unemployment business is for the birds. I hope to meet you one day as well. Thanks for your input.

Well after several months of exhaustive research and deciding that paid CDL training was the option for me I am now enrolled in a private CDL school. Class starts next Tuesday. I'm excited and nervous. I feel I will have a leg up just from studying the resources on this site. The reason I changed my mind about a school is I'm currently unemployed and collecting unemployment (first time in my 40+ years of working I've had to do that). I don't like it one bit. Anyway the school is a mile and a half from my house and I qualified for a grant through the state that pays all but $250 of the tuition. Got enrolled yesterday and paid the 250. Today I go for my drug screen and DOT physical. Once those are done then it will be official. Next will be deciding what direction to go in. This site has been so helpful. I only hope I come across people even half as knowledgeable and helpful as those on here when I get started with this. I will keep updates coming as I can when class starts.

I know this is an old thread and some of the laws and rules changed as this thread moved along. In saying that it looks as though the law has been put out there to help protect the driver in these situations and with the advent of e-logs that seems to have curbed some of the issues brought up in this thread. Correct me if I'm wrong because I am not yet in this profession but hope to be in the next few months. For you experienced folks out there do you run across the issues this thread has pointed out very often? I would also like to chime in with my own thoughts and observations on this. I have spent the better part of almost 20 years in the pest control industry mostly running routes and the last few years managing routes. I can say it is similar to what causes some of the issues brought out here and that is if you are not organized and you can't manage your time well you will fail miserably running a pest control route. That's not to say that a couple of bad customers don't make it hard to achieve your objective. I always told new pc route techs to give it a good 6 months to get used to running a route and learning the business to make a decision on if this is for you. I have seen multiple times that the trucking industry needs a good solid year to decide if it's right for you. I realize running a pc route is not comparable to driving an 80,000 pound vehicle from pillar to post but the concept is the same. Be organized, plan (manage) your time accordingly, and give the job time to work for you. On the subject of running out of time I am currently going through the High Road training and I am on the HOS stuff and let me tell you after reading all of that it's as clear as mud. I am more confused than a chameleon in a bag of skittles. I only hope that the company I end up going to stresses this during training and the trainer I ride with explains it so I can understand it. I am going to really focus on this part of the High Road course as well as the air brakes section.

Thanks everyone for the info. That helps me in the decision making process.

I am very interested in going to Roehl. I have spoken with a recruiter just to get some questions answered. I was told that transportation to the training facility is my responsibility. I live in Louisiana and was told I would have to train in Wisconsin. I am willing to foot the bill to fly or drive up there but I know that the vast majority of companies pay for the transportation to the facility. It just struck me as odd that Roehl doesn't. I could have swore I heard or saw that they do. Also, I thought they had a school in Texas. The recruiter said they didn't. Just looking for clarification. Thanks in advance.

Hi Nate and welcome aboard. I am new here myself and considering Roehl as well. Let me tell you, you will get what you are looking for here. Stay away from those review sites, employee review sites and so on because your brain will get so wrapped around the axle you won't know what direction to turn. Like Old School said this profession, as is the case with most any job, you get out of it what you put in to it. Unfortunately we have a society now that expects a paycheck just because they showed up for work. Check out the materials on here. You will get a wealth of really good information.

Welcome aboard JT!

We're glad you're here, and really glad you've already got started on the High Road CDL Training Program. Feel free to join in our discussions or ask questions as they arise. We really enjoy helping newcomers to the industry get their heads wrapped around how to properly get this career started.

Again, welcome to the forum!

Thanks Old School. I appreciate the help and information.