best way to start driving career?

dpmellish · #1 (**permalink**) 12-30-2008, 03:58 PM

I'm trying to decide whether to go to a school on my own and pay for it ,or start with a company that pays for training and requires a commiment. Any advice will be greatly appreciated!!!

soonk · #2 (**permalink**) 12-30-2008, 09:13 PM

You will probably get answers that go both ways. If you have the extra money to pay for your own school, it might be better to do that. If you let a company train you, you're stuck with them unless you pay them back. I am with Schneider, and the contract is 18 months. 6 months into working with them and I'm ready to move on, but can't do it. If you have the money already though, you could still go with a training company and just pay the difference if you decide to leave. It really depends on who you want to work for I guess.

pro1driver · #3 (**permalink**) 12-30-2008, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dpmellish

I'm trying to decide whether to go to a school on my own and pay for it ,or start with a company that pays for training and requires a commiment. Any advice will be greatly appreciated!!!

if you are able to get a student loan then do so. try not to use your own money from say a savings account or a credit card. a student loan will have (i do believe) a lower interest rate on payback, plus, your money is still in the bank. try not to use a credit card to pay for schooling, as the interest rates on those can be astronomical as well, especially if you miss a payment or are late.

as far as going to a trucking company, and having them pay for it, sure, that sounds good, but you'll be under contract. break that contract, and they WILL RUIN YOU.

some "paid training" is also when the trucking company re-imburses you, but YOU MUST be employed by them for a lenght of time as well....

so your very best bet, go to a school and have them set you up with financial aid, and MEET ALL THEIR REQUIREMENTS, including attendance........!!!!

dpmellish · #4 (**permalink**) 12-30-2008, 10:02 PM

Thanks guys!!!!!

necie67 · #5 (**permalink**) 12-30-2008, 11:56 PM

I wish I had more advice to offer, but they pretty much covered it....
Check out your local comm. College. That's where I went, and it just cost 600 bucks, for a 2 month course (5 days a week, 9 hrs a day), and they are PTDI certified, which really helps you in getting a job right out of school.
If you can't afford the out of pocket expense, look into a co. paid program, but you have to stay with them for a year.. which I don't think is bad... because you have to start somewhere, and after that first year, you can always find a better paying company.

soonk · #6 (**permalink**) 12-31-2008, 08:25 AM

600 dollars? wow. The community college here wanted 4500.