Newbie Vet Looking For Some Guidance.

I'd like to say thanks for providing a nice and what appears to be helpful forum here. I hope I can learn a lot from everyone here so lets get started.

Ok guys I have some issues that I'm trying to get some guidance and also some opinions on.

I reside in NC and have been told by several companies that they do not do the paid schooling for the company because of NC and licensing issues. I do not currently have a Class a CDL or a permit.

I have found 2 companies that said they are able and or can work with me however after talking to several friends of the family that are involved in this business I'm not sure how to proceed.

*Not sure if this info can be posted so mods edit if necessary*

I was contacted by CR England recruiting and told that It would be a 6 month contract with them to pay off for the schooling. Also told that it would be very basic pay however it is hourly pay for the first couple months with then per mile pay after that. I was told by the family friends to avoid them at ALL cost as they do hard sale and or punish drivers who don't do their lease program for trucks. I have no interest in leasing right now and honestly would like to go owner operator vs doing company driving, atleast right now looking from the outside in. I'm concerned that they six months will happen and I will provide notice of leaving and then end up with a huge bill or them freezing me out of loads or crap hauls just for the fact that I'm not wanting to do the lease program.

I was also contacted by Stevens Transport, was told that it would be a year with them and that they would take 25 bucks every month out of pay and matching it to pay of the schooling. They say they require a 1 year contract, however if you do the math 1 year doesn't pay off the school, more like 2.5 years so I would be stuck having to pay off afterwards.

So my basic questions are:

Do either of these actually sound on the up and up or what is realistic and or really happens for getting into trucking?

Are there other options or places I should look at instead?

What are the thoughts on England and Stevens?

Are there any Vet friendly companies or companies that really do see the added advantage of using us soldiers?

I have my GI bill available however I AM NOT wanting to or going to use it for my certs as I'm trying to complete other degrees and also due to the fact of giving some to my wife to finish her nursing degree.

I served 6 years and had a job lined up when I got out however it has completely fallen through so now I'm in a scramble to start bringing money in. I have a wife and 2 children to support so I cant afford to get in with companies that are just going to jack me around. I know it means a lot of time away from home, and thankfully the wife has had to deal with deployments so that wont be an issue but I cant put them in a spot to dump money and time where we don't have it.

First thank you for serving. I do think most trucking companies are really vet friendly. It would help to which companies you have been turned down by in order to know which ones to try.

Brent, One vet to another, thank you for your service.

Apply to more companies! Swift and Prime both operate schools and the only listed "hiring freeze" locations are occasionally Florida and Maine. It doesn't cost you a dime to apply and then follow-up with a phone call.

David, thanks for your service as well.

As far as places this is part of the confusing issue. I have been told by 2 different recruiters that CR England is not doing anything for NC however the vet recruiter says yes...so I don't know what the honest answer is.

I have also talked to PAM but haven't heard much that really helps me, a lot of me coming out of pocket and a lot of a run around in regards to getting answers back. I have sent several messages to the recruiter that contacted me and haven't heard anything back.

I believe it was Warner that contacted me telling me they wouldn't be able to assist and 1 more, will have to recheck emails again but there was one that I applied for and everthing looked good and didn't see any issues when I applied but when I called to talk to them as soon as I said NC they told me they couldn't help me at all.

I was trying to find the edit function as well but guess I can add it in here.

Any hidden costs or extras that I need to make sure the company does or doesn't take care of while I'm talking to recruiters?

I have no first hand knowledge of CR England but what I hear would not give me a warm and fuzzy feeling.

In nearly all programs there are additional costs depending on the school: personal meals, laundry, getting your physical and permit...you'd just have to ask.

Swift often notes in recruiting that they frequently "freeze" hiring in Florida, but I'm from FL and my eldest son moved down here and went to Roadmaster in Tampa. Swift has a small terminal in Ocala, FL, but didn't hesitate to hire Sean. He's running solo in west Texas this week after being home for Thanksgiving. I'm scheduled to start school at the Swift Academy in Millington, TN, in January. The recruiter contacted me within hours of submitting my application. Swift offers both a veteran's scholarship of $1000 and also a full-ride scholarship. So far they haven't lied to Sean or me.

Several folks here on TT went to Prime training so hopefully they will chime in shortly.

Also you can bulk apply on this site as well, I did this and was contacted by 2 companies already. I live in South Florida and have almost the same issues. SInce they don't have many loads year round down here they don't recruit from this area. The companies that offer training so far has been CRST, Swift ( If I move to Tampa Area ) My parents live there and I am planning on renting my home out anyway. Or Prime... Maybe try them

Brian and David thanks for the replies. I located the mass applier app here and have filled it out so hopefully that can produce some more leads.

I re emailed CR England with more questions but have not heard anything at all yesterday so we shall see. I would love to start before the end of the year but I also don't want to jump in and end up high and dry. I am really worried about some other news about the school as I have heard most of the driving time is spent 3 or 4 to a truck which decreased the amount of driving time everyone had before testing. I'm not super worried about driving as I have done hmvee with trailer all the way to Bradley vehicles but my experience with trailers is limited so want to make sure that I can get squared away with that as quickly as possible. I am really one of those guys that prefers to learn by repetition and just doing whatever is required so the more hands on I can get the quicker I pick it up.

Hi Brent.. I see that you live in the Fayetteville area. You might want to consider N.C. Truck Driver Training School. I attended the school in Smithfield but they recently opened up one near you. The total cost is around a grand but the training is very good. Talk to as guy name Ben down there. With the cost being cheaper, you may be able to handle it out of pocket or with GI credits. The reason I say this is because then you will not be limited to applying to companies that reimburse tuition. Good luck.

Hi Brent.. I see that you live in the Fayetteville area. You might want to consider N.C. Truck Driver Training School. I attended the school in Smithfield but they recently opened up one near you. The total cost is around a grand but the training is very good. Talk to as guy name Ben down there. With the cost being cheaper, you may be able to handle it out of pocket or with GI credits. The reason I say this is because then you will not be limited to applying to companies that reimburse tuition. Good luck.

Is it just called Carolina trucking school? Do you happen to have the contact number for the one here?