Profile For Kevin

Never said I would be jumping ship in 6 months..... I have been a lurker on here and read a lot of info if not all of it. I even used some of the pre tests to pass all my endorsements. As far as moving goes not necessarily but it was on the table for my family a few months ago to possibly move to another state. I just wanted all my options available to me so again I did what was necessary for “myself” is all. It all worked out for me in the end so I was just trying to share my experience with the OP. I’m not trying to debate which is better or saying which is better or even argue. In the end you get what you need a CDL license. One of the main reasons I did it through the technical school is I was having a hard time finding a “good company” that trained on a manual transmission as I did not want any restrictions In the end I wish the OP the best of luck and just do your research and what’s best for you. Roehl is a great company to start with, I’ve been told they have some great training.

Here's a great podcast to listen to on this subject also: Episode 18: Stop The Fear And Doubt, Focus On Your Own Success.

If I start with a company and after 6 months I want to move on to further advance myself I now have that option

So the thinking is you'll pay the money up front to go to school so you can choose a company to work for. But apparently you're not too confident about how to choose a company because you also want the option of leaving only half way through your rookie year so you can get ahead by starting over at the bottom somewhere else.

You don't get ahead by jumping ship 6 months into your rookie year. You get ahead by staying with your first company a minimum of one year, developing strong relationships within the company, learning how the company operates on the inside, and proving yourself to be a very hard working and reliable driver. That's when you'll start turning big miles consistently, getting raises, access to the company's best customers, better equipment, and opportunities in special divisions reserved for the best drivers.

Episode 4: Why Stick With Your First Company One Full Year?

If I moved and the company does not have hiring lanes there, I can move without having to pay X amount of dollars back

You apparently didn't know what state you might be living in 6 months from now?

I can appreciate this response. I didn’t know we could not post opinions here, noted. I understand your points and Bruce’s as well. I agree that it may not be financially smarter to go to a non company paid training program but it did offer me more choices. If I start with a company and after 6 months I want to move on to further advance myself I now have that option, If I moved and the company does not have hiring lanes there, I can move without having to pay X amount of dollars back. These were the variables I was considering when choosing this career. Don’t get me wrong I don’t plan on jumping from company to company, I worked over 20 years for the same company in my last career.

Jeez why all the bashing, I was simply stating it could be better for The OP due to his concerns. Never said rookie drivers get the best offers as well. Simply stated I can choose where I want to and I have no worries. Didn’t know that would be an issue my bad

We're not bashing you. We're maybe going to a little extreme to point out your error. This isn't a place where we all just offer random opinions. There's a solid reason we included the word "truth" in the website's name. We try really hard to help folks make a great start at this career.

Here's the truth... There's no free lunch. You paid for your training. That's great, but it didn't give you any more options than a newbie going to a Paid CDL Training Program. I realize you think you had choices, but so does the person who chooses which paid program to start with. The only difference is you are out the money with no real advantage to show for it.

I get it. I went to a private school myself, but to think it's advantageous is simply to misunderstood the whole process.

Why I Prefer Paid CDL Training

Jeez why all the bashing, I was simply stating it could be better for The OP due to his concerns. Never said rookie drivers get the best offers as well. Simply stated I can choose where I want to and I have no worries. Didn’t know that would be an issue my bad 🤷‍♂️

Also my friend simply found something local he could take and be home everyday after his 6 months of time to have more time with his kids. Like I also said, he likes working for Roehl and does not have any issues with the company.....

I have a friend working for Roehl and he wishes he would went to a school like I did. He likes working for Roehl don’t get me wrong but he has come across better offers at other companies and he is stuck cause he hasn’t finished his contract and doesn’t want to pay the 7k.

Kevin, just so you know... we all recognize this as bogus. Rookie drivers with zero experience don't get great offers from other companies. Your "friend" doesn't know a good thing when it's staring him in the face.

If you are able to I would get your training from the community college( I did).

So I guess you're a "free agent" now. I'm guessing all the highest paying trucking jobs are courting and wooing you in now that you have a CDL and no experience. It must be great! They're probably lighting your cigars, offering you fancy cars and beautiful women.

Man, it must be great being in your shoes! You are in demand and calling the shots aren't ya?

Busting The Free Agent Myth

I just researched my options, I was able to financially go to a technical school over company paid. The school I went to had 320hrs and a 1000 miles of driving training. Not saying that makes me a professional driver or anything. I’m a rookie making comments on a forum on how I chose to get my cdl is all.

Heck of a first post, Kevin G., and goes contrary to what is recommended here.

How did you arrive at your conclusion to offer this advice? Any experience you can share here with the rest of us?

If you are able to I would get your training from the community college( I did). One reason is your not in a contract to stay with a company you may not like working for after a few months. I have a friend working for Roehl and he wishes he would went to a school like I did. He likes working for Roehl don’t get me wrong but he has come across better offers at other companies and he is stuck cause he hasn’t finished his contract and doesn’t want to pay the 7k. Even if you go to community college for your CDL there are a ton of companies whom will train you and you are not stuck under contract.

So I was reading a post from Avvatar that he went to roehl and didn't pass the driving portion and never received his CDL. From what I've been reading he will still have to pay the 7k, If that is true that is ridiculous! And have me second guessing going with roehl. I will have to call them and ask, and if that's the case I mind as well either go with another company or pay for my own schooling instead.