Profile For Ray B.

Until you have tried I wouldn't say you cant get a student loan or pell grant. They pretty much accept everyone for the loan and you might get lucky and get a grant. Talk to the financial aid department before simply giving up.

Tried. No luck there. I have some loans in default, so that was a nonstarter.

I just threw another application at Prime. When I first began this more than a month ago, I applied to them and it got kicked back. Now that I've got a CDL permit and a health card, maybe it'll be different this time. I've also got applications pending with Swift, the school AIT, and there's another school I might hit locally. But to go to an actual *school,* I'll need financial aid just to eat, have a place to live and even physically get there and/or commute, but even so, I'm sort of wondering if this might be the better idea anyway.

Does anyone have any experience with Prime's trucking school? If so, how does it compare to CRST and Kirkwood/NADTA? Kirkwood said I basically need more time behind a wheel than they can give me (even with a restart--I feel pretty boneheaded because of that)...

Prime has pretty purple trucks.

:D Well, I'm sold.

Try SRT in Texarkana. They had somewhat of a bad reputation for awhile but have made many changes to make their drivers happy and get their retention rate up. I am a new driver, just finished training and I will be dispatched Saturday. I was very hesitant to try them because of some things I read while doing research, but since I live in Texarkana I thought I would give them a try, thinking that every time I got stuck in the yard at least I would be able to go home. I am glad I started with them. The changes they have made have really benefited the driver. Give them a try.

I just did. They require a verifiable three-year work history, no self-employment or unemployment allowed.

So far, I've went ahead and threw an application at Swift. I'll see what comes of that--right now I've got very little money to buy food even if they wanted to take me, but maybe something will come of it. They normally require a fee up front, but since I've got a valid IA learner's permit and a health card, maybe they can waive it or something.

...in Cedar Rapids, IA. And I bombed out of it. Kirkwood cut me from the program. They suggested that what I might benefit from would be a longer training school with more time behind a wheel, but my butt is pretty much broke at this point and I'm not sure I qualify for any kind of student loan. Apparently CSRT has some...issues, according to some of the other trainees and some of the trainers, even. Can anyone suggest to me a good Plan B--either a good company with a decent training program I can contact who might be willing to take me, or a school or something? I don't want to give up on this yet, and I've got a learner's permit and a health card at this point...I applied to Prime early on but CSRT got to me first, and Prime would not have taken me anyway due to some irregularities in my employment background...

6 weeks ago I started exploring the idea of trucking, and found TT. On April 28th I called Prime and started the process. On May 12 I arrived in Springfield for orientation. On May 19 I started my CDL training phase. Today I took the CDL exam and passed all 3 parts for a TRIFECTA!!! Oh what a relief it is!!! I am thrilled to have this part done.

Thanks to Brett and TT friends for all of the help and advice in getting to this point on my journey. Next up, meet my trainer for the next phase and head out for my 30000 miles and learning the OTR aspect of this.....and earning a paycheck!!!

Be blessed and be safe!

Huge congrats!!! Just passed my CDL today as well!!!!!!!!!!!

https://www.truckingtruth.com/truckers-forum/Topic-3713/Page-1/private-nj-cdl-school

Wish you nothing but the best and appreciate you updating us on your journey with Prime!

Many congratulations to you too!

So I've spent the last ten years as a combination freelance PC technician/part-time data keyer for a small consulting company ran by a family member, and I'd like to get into trucking as a career now.

Given my employment history, how difficult is it going to be to get into a company-sponsored school? That is, which CPS's are the most lenient or understanding when it comes to this sort of thing? I have no money, so a private school is out. Or is this an idea I'm going to have to forget? And does anyone else have a story about a similar situation?

I have no driving violations or crimes on my record, felonies or otherwise.