Advice For A New Girl, Please

Hi. I'm considering attending The Truck Driving Institute in Sanford, Fl. Anyone have any advice or comments, good or bad, regarding this private cdl school. I have spoken to a rep, nice guy but I also realize it's his job to recruit. Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks

From Ft. Lauderdale and attending TDI in Sanford?

What is your "long term goal"?

If you're headed for one of the many companies that already have training programs - you are still probably better off signing on for whatever their retention requirements are (usually 1 year) to pay off your training debt.

Even out of a TDI school - you are STILL going to have to go out with a trainer when signing up with a company for "finishing training". The purpose of schools like TDI is to obtain your CDL ONLY.

So still - the decision you make has more to do with what your plans AFTER SCHOOL are.

Rick

Annie, you can do just fine at TDI. They are a well established school with a lot of past students out here on the highways making a good living.

Just curious if you've ever considered the Company-Sponsored Training Programs? They are a great way to get yourself into this career without the upfront expenses of going to school full time for a month while not having an income for that month. These company sponsored programs require you to sign a contract to work for the company for a year, and a lot folks get all tripped up over that part of the idea, but it really should not be such a big deal. We always advise everyone to stick with their first trucking job for that first year anyway - it just takes that long to get the hang of all this, and get to the point where you can start realizing some success as a professional driver.

I ask you these questions because I was able to finance my own schooling but then when I started trying to land a job I hit a brick wall. I finally got started and have had a very successful career ever since, but that experience definitely caught me off guard. These Company-Sponsored Training Programs basically assure you employment upon successful completion of the program.

One other thing I want to point out to you is that most newbies coming into this career have illusions of going through school and expecting themselves to be fully equipped to be professional drivers making all kinds of great money. The reality of going to any truck driving school is that what you get is all the necessary training to be able to pass the written and driving tests so that you can obtain a CDL. You will still have an awful lot to learn when you land your first job. That is why any newbie getting started in this career will be sent out to live and drive with a trainer on their truck for usually a minimum of four weeks, and even then when they hand you your first set of keys to a truck you will be wondering, "Am I really ready for this?" The hard truth is, no you're not, but you better get there in a hurry. They will give you a few months to try to get yourself accustomed to the job and then it is full forward.

Many of the new folks we have come through here looking for our help and advice tell us that this is the greatest challenge they have ever faced in their lives. I simply tell you that so you will be prepared for a big challenge, it is not to frighten you or mislead you. I love this career, and I'm sure you can too, but I don't want you to think that just because you have obtained a CDL that you are in great demand, and companies are going to be rolling out the red carpets for you. Professional drivers are in high demand, and the very best of them can do really well at this, but it is a journey - it takes some time to get yourself established. You will be struggling for that first year, just because there is so much to get a grasp of. That is why I recommend the company sponsored programs - you've got a contract to uphold with them and it is in their best interest to work with you and help you get your career established.