Brand new- and I have questions....

[mcsmith0210]

I just figured out I wanted to become a driver- I have been working for an auto transport company as a dispatcher for about a year. I had an uncle who drover for Mobil fro 40 years- and he claims he had a great time and he made good money. I would much rather drive, but I have questions before I figure this out completely and get my wheels moving.

1. Who has the best training program around?

2. The "paid" training programs- are they worth it?

3. I have heard the "horror" stories about how you get it during that first year after your school was paid for... are any of them true?

4. Anyone have any significant wisdom before I make the jump?

Reply here or PM me. Thansk alot, I have tons of respect for you truckers out there.

[NORTHERNHAULER]

Originally Posted by mcsmith0210

I just figured out I wanted to become a driver- I have been working for an auto transport company as a dispatcher for about a year. I had an uncle who drover for Mobil fro 40 years- and he claims he had a great time and he made good money. I would much rather drive, but I have questions before I figure this out completely and get my wheels moving.

1. Who has the best training program around?

2. The "paid" training programs- are they worth it?

3. I have heard the "horror" stories about how you get it during that first year after your school was paid for... are any of them true?

4. Anyone have any significant wisdom before I make the jump?

Reply here or PM me. Thansk alot, I have tons of respect for you truckers out there.

#1 who has the best training program around?
answer. the school of hard knocks.you can train with any one you want but untill you learnd for your self you its all just school.
#2 the paid training program's are they worth it?
answer.some are some aint.if you would like to pay me i will train you.
#3i have heard the horror stories?
answer. dont beleave evey thing you hear.your first you is your hardest yes but for the most part just do your job and pay attention and youl do fine.
#4 any one have wisdom.
answer.yup go to collage become a banker forget about trucking.but if your mind is set on trucking the read this forum .with all the drivers on here there is thousands of years of expierence and most will point you in the right direction.
good luck.

[soonk]

If you know anybody that drives you could try to ride with them for a week or two. It's not quite the same as driving but you'll get to see the ins and outs of it and be able to make a more informed decision. I got my training at Schneider, and as northern said, school is school. These schools teach you in 2-3 weeks what takes a couple months to learn, so your first few months out will probably be the most difficult. You learn as time goes on and it gets better. I think the horror stories come from drivers not knowing what they're getting into then realizing later how they're being screwed. It can turn into "you're not going to quit because you'll have to pay us back" and I'm sure some places use that to their advantage. I can sit here and talk crap about Schneider all day but when it comes down to it, I'm at least grateful for the chance they gave me. Their schools are closed now, though, so they aren't really an option. Other drivers will probably tell you this: if you can afford your own schooling, then do that. This way you won't be bound to a company if they aren't working out. I've heard some community colleges can be as low as $600, so you might want to start looking there. Maybe you can get financial aid for that; I don't know. If you can't afford it, then obviously the second choice is to go with a company that will train you. I don't really know who is hiring right now. Schneider is not, and I hear Swift is on a hiring freeze as well.
What you may want to do is find out which companies are hiring, then try to get to a truckstop in your area and see if you can talk to any of their drivers. Recruiters will sell you a pair of steel-toed flipflops if they think you'll buy them. Drivers are more likely to tell you the truth. Talk to more than just one or two drivers, though. Every company has it's lifers and it's disgruntled employees. Better to make an informed decision than one you may not like for the next year. Hope this helps.

[Da'Pickle]

Originally Posted by mcsmith0210

I just figured out I wanted to become a driver- I have been working for an auto transport company as a dispatcher for about a year. I had an uncle who drover for Mobil fro 40 years- and he claims he had a great time and he made good money. I would much rather drive, but I have questions before I figure this out completely and get my wheels moving.

1. Who has the best training program around?

2. The "paid" training programs- are they worth it?

3. I have heard the "horror" stories about how you get it during that first year after your school was paid for... are any of them true?

4. Anyone have any significant wisdom before I make the jump?

Reply here or PM me. Thansk alot, I have tons of respect for you truckers out there.

Guess I can put my 2 cents in here. Here are some answers to your questions.
1. Check with your local trade schools, or communty college. They seem to be better schools. If you don't have the money then you will hve to get trained at a carriers school. ROEHL has a good one.

2. The paid training programs are worth it, if you do not have the money to get your CDL on your own. I think company schools, are more prone to just get you passed and in the truck making them money. Where a 3rd party school, like a community college or trade school, they got your money and there is no pressure to just pass you if you need more help. Hope that makes sense the way I explained it.

3. Sometimes I am sure there are people who do get screwed a bit on the repayment of the school, but just remember, there will ALWAYS be some people who will not be happy no matter what the company did.

4. The only wisdom I can give you, is SLOW down in a truck. Don't become a statistic. About 90% of the accidents I see out here could have been avoided if the driver just was more patient and slowed the truck down a bit. An extra 20 minutes to your destination is nothing, but to not make it there at all because the load is sprawled out across the highway is very, very BAD!


Hope this has helped!

[truckinusa]

I would try to get into one of these colleges. If you have to live in a motel or whatever. They are a lot cheaper than any school typically. You will also receive good training. The Federal Government gave these all money.

Arizona – Maricopa Community College, Glendale ($52,663);
Arkansas – Arkansas State University, Newport ($87,500);
California – West Hills Community College, Coalinga ($80,640);
Illinois – Waubonsee Community College, Sugar Grove ($49,855);
Missouri – Ozarks Technical Community College, Springfield ($198,087);
New York – National Tractor Trailer School Inc., Liverpool ($120,000);
Ohio – Cuyahoga Community College, Cleveland ($83,300);
Pennsylvania – Lehigh Carbon Community College, Schnecksville ($127,955); and
South Carolina – Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College, Orangeburg ($200,000).