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Posted: 5 years, 5 months ago
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Just introducing myself, (pre cdl newbie) and asking for very specific advice...
Hello everyone,
I'm Aces, 40, currently living in Missouri, just started studying for my CDP, and have listened to about 50 hours of youtube videos on beginning a trucking career. I am 100% set on becoming a trucker, so there's no hesitation about that decision. I currently live in Missouri. This forum has been an amazing resource, which is why I joined it. Thanks to everyone who contributes and shares.
I'm hoping to get some feedback on my next decisions... I spent 2011 - 2017 in Hawaii, which can drain ones savings. (Totally worth it) I'm back to the paycheck to paycheck life. I can qualify through job center to attend a CDL school free of charge, but cant go 6 weeks without a paycheck. This leaves me with TMC or Roehl, as far as I know, because they pay $500 per week while in training. TMC only does flatbed, and I dont want to start there, so I'm looking at Roehl. Their contract for the $7k training sucks. It's all due, even if you're fired for nonsense, even if youve completed 99% of the commitment. They require 120,000 miles as solo before the commitment is up. If you get shafted into 1500 or 2000 miles per week, that will take 15 months to fulfill at best. This is option 1.
Option 2 is to get the CDL without a school... pay about $500 for the physical and some rig time. This will get me done asap, but will not going to a formal trucking school hurt me with employers? Will they consider that legit? I REALLY like the option of NOT having to sign a contract to work for X company for a year or more. Will the training loss be soaked up by the orientation team time with the first employer?
Lastly, If anyone knows a job I can apply to in the trucking industry around St Louis, I'm all ears. Everything about my driving and criminal record is 100% clean.
Thanks again everyone. Great forum.
Aces