Profile For Robert P.

Randy thank you for the heads up certainly will look further. Where did you school? The price they (S&S) quoted me was $3700 plus I have to pay the NJ permit $125.00. My concern is going away and having to cover cost of training along with hotel and food. I know company will front you the training but you end up having to pay them back with a 8-12 contract. who are you driving for and do you like the company and the OTR Life? Thank You Robert

Thanks, Rick & G Town, I know your right about just being trained with S&S to get the CDL. I was wondering if anyone has trained with Smith & Soloman. Are they a reputable company as far as their promise to help the grads find a" Job"? I do like the CSL trucking 20 /10 plan I've read about, but was going to try and stay close to home here in South Jersey to be able to get the training done and then find a job. I know I can do this my records clean ,and I am confident I will be able to pass the test. I realize that I have much to learn and know real world training is the true teacher. I would love to go 100%OTR but can't do it to start at this time. Until then looking to drive regional or local. Seem's like most of the company's that you speak of only do OTR. Do I have the option to ask for a 20/10 plan when training is done with Prime or Swift. Robert

Wow what great forum . Ask and you will get feedback. I am new and want to make informed decisions regarding training. Went over and spoke with Smith & Solomon recruiters yesterday. The pricing is ok, seems to be in line with most other company sponsored training. Except they are not a driving company simply a school. Even though they boast that they will provide job placement (they have various Trucking company recruiters come in ). Anybody have any feedback pro & or con about going with them for my CDL training. Thank you Robert

Old School don't laugh I have that same hat..

I hope that I meet all of you somewhere down the road so I can personally say thank you for your help. Have a few ?s as to choosing the best school for training. Swift and Smith & Solomon seem to be the predominant schools in my area. I live in NJ and they have classes within 20 miles of home. I remember Old School mentioned that company schools vs private schools would most likely offer the better training. I guess its probably the same feeling you get when you went into the Army back in the day. Signing up for a major change in life not knowing exactly what to expect ha. I went back to college when my Kids (6 ea) were young and I guess I wanted to see if I could. Did not have a College role model or was ever offered the option to go. Times were different back then. Anyway I made the Deans list and came to the conclusion that like anything else, you only got out of it what you put in. The college was going to take my money weather I got A's or f's. I paid my hard earned money and I wanted A's. I want a good school for my CDL training. I'll put in the effort to make it the best. Any tips or advice is appreciated. Going to make some calls Wed to start the process. Also what should I do I am a little confused as far as who does what and the order they are done. Example should I get my permit before class starts or wait. Should I get the dot physical before or after I sign up with a school. Little uncertain whats included in taking the classes I'm sure the recruiters will answer some ?s I have. Just want to avoid the sales pitch hustle. Again thank you. Robert

Guys can't tell you how much it means that you would take the time to answer my first ever post. I kinda feel excited and to be honest a little scared. I remember when I was younger I would daydream about a life on the road. Never been afraid of a hard days work but hey better late than never. Again thank you for your words of support. I appreciate your input. Robert

I am thinking about getting my CDL. I have been in the Landscape construction business for 35 yrs as an owner operator. I have owned and driven single axle dumps with various trailers. I want to get my class A CDL as I have been told that I would also be able to drive any vehicle in class B-C with the proper endorsements. I want to start driving as my second life career as I recently sold my Landscape business. I am physically fit don't smoke ,drink or do drugs. I have a clean driving record. Kinda nervous to lay out the cash to train (getting a job when done) but I need to do this to get the proper training. Just wondering will I be able to find work in the trucking industry as a new driver at 60.