Hi all. my second question here since I am a newbie here. I am considering getting my CDL's. Have wanted to do this as long as I can remember. Always had things slow me down and change my mind, however; being married, having children mainly. My children are all grown, and i am single now. i have looked at the majority of the company schools and called several but it appears that the only ones really available to me are Swift and Central because i live in Oregon. Most are in the mid west or east coast area.

I have had my chauffers license till they changed the law, my father was a trucker and he always thought you needed a license, never knew when you might need it. I got my permit several years back, when the economcy fell apart and I just picked up the drivers guide from DMV. I had also gotten my Hazmat , triples and doubles , and the air brake endorsements before. I hear horror stories about backing and clutching. (my experience driving is very limited, driving an over sized fully loaded u-haul,(one of the big ones) from Portland, Or to Ohamah NB by route of Los Angles,Ca.) I hear the chuckles now. I literally grew up in a truck.

Which of the two schools would you all recommend between Swift and Central. The people at Central were a lot nicer to me on the phone the ones at Swift. Swift just seemed to be bothered and annoyed that I had even called. Also what would be best the alternate choice, private or company school? Here in Albany where I live is a IITR school which is quite expenxive but I would not have the travel expenses,extra and i would have choice of day, night, or weekend classes? However what are the chances of getting pre-hired before school for assistance to repay the loans. I am 57 and a female, no tickets, no moving violations, duii or anything in the last 5+ years. No duii, no mr.der menders, felonies ever. Steady employment at least part time for a solid 15 years. My big down fall, I am a diabetic med.diet managed I do try and exercise daily. Thanks for any and all help. Diana

P.S. This forumn has been awesome and I thank you all over again.

Hi all. my second question here since I am a newbie here. I am considering getting my CDL's. Have wanted to do this as long as I can remember. Always had things slow me down and change my mind, however; being married, having children mainly. My children are all grown, and i am single now. i have looked at the majority of the company schools and called several but it appears that the only ones really available to me are Swift and Central because i live in Oregon. Most are in the mid west or east coast area.

Which of the two schools would you all recommend between Swift and Central. The people at Central were a lot nicer to me on the phone the ones at Swift. Swift just seemed to be bothered and annoyed that I had even called. Also what would be best the alternate choice, private or company school? Here in Albany where I live is a IITR school which is quite expenxive but I would not have the travel expenses,extra and i would have choice of day, night, or weekend classes? However what are the chances of getting pre-hired before school for assistance to repay the loans. I am 57 and a female, no tickets, no moving violations, duii or anything in the last 5+ years. No duii, no mr.der menders, felonies ever. Steady employment at least part time for a solid 15 years. My big down fall, I am a diabetic med.diet managed I do try and exercise daily. Thanks for any and all help. Diana

P.S. This forumn has been awesome and I thank you all over again.

Are you on diabetic medicine? A friend just lost his CDL due to having to go on insulin. He drove while taking Metformin and something else.

I've been out of the driving world myself for 23 yrs, but have kept in touch with friends that still drive. Swift isn't talked about in kind words by many people I know. They tend to not pay well. I don't hear much about Central, but do see them a lot in this area (south-central Idaho....just off I84). Because of that, when I get my life situated, I will probably look at them, May Trucking (Payette, ID....have a yard near Wilsonville, I think that's the town...trying to think back 25 yrs ago) or a couple others that run the Pacific NW a fair amount. As for schools vs company training, I plan on going to Sage Trucking at the local college on the advise of my brother who drives and a friend that owns his own small company. My brother just got his CDL thru a school and England picked up the tab. He is committed to them for 9 mths but will look for a better paying company as, at 62, he wants to make up and save enough money to retire on at age 70.

The really sad part about Swift versus Central ???? Swift just bought Central.....damn the luck, girl...you have other options...Are you unemployed ??? if so, ask your employment office about the WIA program..they will pay for your cdl schooling. Alot of community colleges have cdl classes, check there, and see if a Pell grant can help you out. Are you ex military ?? they have a program to get you into a truck...So keep looking !!! Theres a TON of companies that have cdl schools...so do some research, and lets get this thing started !!! It would help us to know what state you live in, so we would be able to see whats out there for you.

The really sad part about Swift versus Central ???? Swift just bought Central.....damn the luck, girl. It would help us to know what state you live in, so we would be able to see whats out there for you.

When did they buy out Central? :-P She said in her first post: i have looked at the majority of the company schools and called several but it appears that the only ones really available to me are Swift and Central because i live in Oregon. There's gotta be more than just Swift and Central in Oregon. IDLaura

There are alot of trucking companies in Oregon...like May, Interstate , etc. But none that have their own schools here. BUT....just cuz they don't have a school doesn't mean that they don't hire and train their own drivers and train them. And many of the major companies run thru Oregon, so they could be a possibility too.