Looking For A Place To Start.

Yes, PackRat, I am reconsidering the whole idea. Here's a Roehl training diary with a lot of detail: https://www.truckingtruth.com/truckers-forum/Topic-27143/Page-9/my-roehl-training-adventure

In that diary, Wild-Bill explains that half of his class did not finish to pass the CDL test, and Wild-Bill was only allowed to take the test after a manager decided to let Wild-Bill proceed, despite not making a passing score to proceed with CDL testing. In that same thread, Kenneth R. explained that in his class of 8, only 4 finished with a CDL license and 5th student already had his license. So about a 50% failure rate in the first few weeks would not be an unreasonable expectation. Those are not good odds, and we do not know how many of the remaining half go on to be let go, like Andrey, later in the 3-part training program. It's a very risky venture for someone who has no experience in trucking.

Again, you are right. I really need to rethink taking a risk like that.

David, There is a very high turn over in trucking for several reasons, people change companies, people can't handle it, and for some, it's just not for them. I'm sure there are many other reasons. It costs companies thousands of dollars to recruit a driver and more to train one. When they train you they have a vested interest in you.

Not all companies do a physical. You need to be able to climb in and out of the truck and trailer, and crank the landing gear. You need to be able to bend or crouch under the trailer to do a proper pretrip and inspect that the locking jaws are around the king pin. This is something I do at least once per day.

With CFI you must be able to pass your DOT physical, and get your permit. They cover everything else. One of the many reasons I love CFI, is the free training.

We have drivers on here who went through training with many different companies and are very successful now.

Good luck.