Getting Ready To Start CDL School And Want Some Advice?

Hey G-Town

I'm sorry if I offended u or any other person on the forum. Not my intention at all. Was just stating facts. My choice of words could have been better I agree. But the truth is that anyone going to a company sponsored school will need to sign a year contract and that is a fact RIGHT? That's all I was trying to let the person inquiring about school understand. I have heard many stories of people go to the company sponsored schools and then hate working for the company but they are stuck there for a year.

Yosemite Sam wrote:

But let you know to not to a company CDL school because they will chain u down for a minimum of a year in order to pay for the school.

Chained down? Sam, this is the second time you have discouraged people from Paid CDL Training Programs.

You need to stop coming off as an authority on this subject. You're not. Many of us, including me chose company sponsored. It works and will continue to work. Although it wasn't right for you, that doesn't arbitrarily mean it's a bad choice for others.

Please focus on what you know and have experienced.

You told him not to go the route of company sponsored because of being "chained" to a contract. It's not excessive when considering the extent of the training that is delivered or the follow-on support. It's a commitment that is both viable and reasonable.

In contrast to your point, I would argue that there are numerous success stories resulting from attending a company sponsored school, many of them right here. Typically it's only the so called horror stories that are written about.

You have not experienced company sponsored training so how can you advise a person not to choose that path? Again, tell us about your experience and why it worked for you. Offer information the OP can use to make their decision. Like I said, the path you chose worked for you, but it's right for you and not necessarily for someone else.

If you live in the hiring area, I think TMC would be a good fit for ya, they are pro military, hire a lot of vets and from what I've heard their school/orientation is set up kinda like a boot camp in ways. They are flatbed but they only hire in the Midwestern states if I remember right, they are based out of Iowa.

Sam, Two questions. How many Company Sponsored Training Programs have you attended? How long have you been driving?

I am just jumping in with my 2 cents worth. I went to private school. Uncle Sam footed my bill because I am a veteran. I have a friend who can't afford schooling; so I have been researching company sponsored programs. I can easily the Pros and Cons of each.

Private Schooling - Pros: - Freedom to choose where you are going to work at.

- No contractual time agreements.

Cons: - The way you are trained to do maneuvers and paperwork most likely will not be how your company executes them.

- You get to foot the bill. (Yes, there are ways to get the school paid for. Yes, most companies over tuition reimbursement)

Company Sponsored Trainings - Pros: - little to no upfront cost - Some companies pay you during training or at least offer pay advances - guaranteed shot to be hired. - You will be trained how the company you will work for handles maneuvers and paperwork.

Cons: - contractually obligated. (You owe your company between 9 and 15 months of your time) - some companies may offer lower starting cpm or have you pay a portion of your training back in weekly deductions.

Take it what you will but I see both have valid Pros and Cons.

Drive safe and God Speed.

I am just jumping in with my 2 cents worth. I went to private school. Uncle Sam footed my bill because I am a veteran. I have a friend who can't afford schooling; so I have been researching company sponsored programs. I can easily the Pros and Cons of each.

Private Schooling - Pros: - Freedom to choose where you are going to work at.

- No contractual time agreements.

Cons: - The way you are trained to do maneuvers and paperwork most likely will not be how your company executes them.

- You get to foot the bill. (Yes, there are ways to get the school paid for. Yes, most companies over tuition reimbursement)

Company Sponsored Trainings - Pros: - little to no upfront cost - Some companies pay you during training or at least offer pay advances - guaranteed shot to be hired. - You will be trained how the company you will work for handles maneuvers and paperwork.

Cons: - contractually obligated. (You owe your company between 9 and 15 months of your time) - some companies may offer lower starting cpm or have you pay a portion of your training back in weekly deductions.

Take it what you will but I see both have valid Pros and Cons.

Drive safe and God Speed.

And some like Swift after a full year reimburse $37.50 per week until the driver's contribution is paid in full.

It all depends what you want and on some cases what you can afford.

Patrick, Thank you for your well thought out response. Exactly what people should know. Too many people want to spout "Internet Speak", such as "Chained Down" or "Slave Labor", just to name a few. I chose Company Sponsored Training and left my $4000.00 in the bank. Im glad I did, I've needed it to supplement some pretty slim checks in my first few rookie months.

Tbh, the contractual obligation may be looked at as a positive. Unless you mess up; you are pretty munched guaranteed a job for that period of time.

Barring you missing appointments or being unsafe; it is the company's best interest to keep you until the end of your contract. They need to make back the money they invested in you.

Tbh, the contractual obligation may be looked at as a positive. Unless you mess up; you are pretty munched guaranteed a job for that period of time.

Barring you missing appointments or being unsafe; it is the company's best interest to keep you until the end of your contract. They need to make back the money they invested in you.

Patrick it's in the company's best interest that a new driver continue well beyond a year. At that point you are maximizing their profit because it can take 12 months until you know what you are doing.

I understand the longer a driver works for a company the better the driver becomes and the more money he/she will make off that driver.

The point I was making is that company will be more likely to forgive some minor growing pains. They will give you more chances than someone they are not invested in. As long as you are not blowing appointments or are driving in an unsafe manner, the company will keep you around looking to recoup their investment.

I understand the longer a driver works for a company the better the driver becomes and the more money he/she will make off that driver.

The point I was making is that company will be more likely to forgive some minor growing pains. They will give you more chances than someone they are not invested in. As long as you are not blowing appointments or are driving in an unsafe manner, the company will keep you around looking to recoup their investment.

You are correct. I agree with you.

My point: too many new drivers do not give it a chance to work and never experience the benefits that go along with that commitment.