Hypothetical Question

... since he did not leave on his own.

He broke the rules. That means "his fault", so he's out because of his actions. That's not hypothetical. That's actual.

Suggestion to avoid hypotheticals; know the rules and follow them.

... since he did not leave on his own.

He broke the rules. That means "his fault", so he's out because of his actions. That's not hypothetical. That's actual.

What I think he's looking for methinks, is a hypothetical as to - at what point in your journey, are you "on the hook" for the cost of your training.

Fails to pass CDL exam

Terminated due to having prohibited items in truck.

Terminated due to drinking off duty during training process.

Would person still be held to pay training?

If after getting CDL and actually employed by company, and termed for any number or reasons, still held to pay up?

And this is going to vary from company to company - both in how much you owe, and how hard they come after you for it. And you begin that obligation - the day you SIGN YOUR CONTRACT.

For example - we've all heard the first person accounts here, that leave CRST before your obligation is up, and they will prevent you from working ANYWHERE ELSE until you've paid them back. Other companies just send it into COLLECTIONS and screw up your credit (though I believe they are supposed to send you at least one letter demanding payment - before they just send it to a collection agency).

Fails to pass the CDL Exam - Which One? Written - I'd think you'd be so close to the beginning that if you just couldn't pass your writtens, they'd just show you the door and rip up your contract (I mean, they really aren't all that hard). Failed to pass your skills - you get to take them a bunch of times, they "may" give you the option to go back out PSD on your permit and get some more time to work on your weaknesses - but at that point of the game - you probably are obligated to pay them your training costs. Remember - private CDL schools charge as much (or more) than company sponsored training (with the exception of State/County Schools which are usually right around $2K) - once you are to the point where you HAVE a CDL, you have gotten your "CDL Training" - the TNT training (30K miles) is "finishing training" that you would get if you showed up as a "recent grad" from a private school. Not sure if you even have a contractual obligation at that point - but I suspect it would put you on the hook for as much as if you did company sponsored training.

Prohibited items on truck - FIRED YOUR FAULT - YOU OWE THEM

Drinking while off duty during training - FIRE YOUR FAULT - YOU OWE THEM. I mean really? I'm pretty sure this is prohibited ANYWAY - we've certainly heard you don't drink at night while you're staying at the training center, you wouldn't drink off duty while you're out with your trainer (EVEN IF THEY DO - though I'm not sure if this is a COMPANY POLICY or not). And really - you don't want to be drinking while you're on your "mandatory 10 hour break" anyways - though I know people that do. You're not supposed to have an open container in the truck, you shouldn't be sitting in the parking lot at the truck stop slugging a 6 pack. Wanna drink - get a ROOM and do it on your 34, or better yet - wait until HOME TIME. Yeah - while it would be sweet to have a nice tall cold one after a hard day behind the wheel, or even having a beer or glass of wine with your dinner - chances are you'll have more than one, and you run the risk of being LEGALLY IMPAIRED when you get back behind the wheel. Remember - the PRESENCE OF ANY ALCOHOL DRIVING A CMV IS AN OOS OFFENSE, even if it falls below the .04% for a CDL DUI - which is why many drivers won't even use an alcohol based mouthwash when driving.

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The alcohol use question comes up, albeit a little less frequently than drug or firearms questions. You're not supposed to drink during orientation. You're not supposed to drink during training phase. And you really shouldn't be drinking on your 10 hour break - even though I know a lot of guys that DO, and drink to EXCESS, and probably wake up and hit the road while still impaired - and risk a ONE YEAR DISQUALIFICATION. In some states - just getting a DUI conviction and HAVING A CDL puts your CDL at risk for disqualification (at least according to the MO dmv site).

And of course, as with drug use - one has to wonder, if having a drink is SO IMPORTANT that you can't wait until you have hometime to tie one on - then perhaps one needs to consider whether their drinking lifestyle is going to conflict with their trucking one.

Rick

Larry, without answering your question directly, let me just point out a few things concerning these training contracts. Just like any other business contract, both parties are expected to do what is reasonably expected of them to fulfill their part of the agreement. In most cases the trucking company fulfills their part of the bargain once they have assisted you to the point of you being able to obtain your CDL - that is what they are agreeing to do. Some of these companies have their contract written so that you cannot even find other employment until you fulfill your part of the agreement. They expect you to fulfill your part of the agreement, and it is only fair since they have gone to considerable expense to bring you on board, train you, and often times feed you and house you.

It is a serious agreement and should be taken so. To break a company policy while in training is a serious breach of the contract, and if one can't abide by the agreement then they certainly should be required to pay for it, that is the whole purpose of a contract - to hold people responsible for their actions.

I am curious about your driver status. You say you are a driver in training. Are you having problems? Are you already considering jumping ship? One of the best things you can do for yourself in this career is develop the tenacity to hang in there until you've met your obligations. That first year is one huge learning curve, and many of the rookies who try to start this career think all their problems are related to their company, when the truth is that they are just rookies who don't have a clue about how to get things accomplished out here yet. That contractual agreement is really beneficial in the "big picture" of how you develop yourself as a new driver out here. It just takes some time to get the hang of this career, and one year barely scratches the surface of what it takes to be successful at this.

... since he did not leave on his own.

Larry has serious false rationalization issues if he can't link a person's rule-breaking activity (keeping a weapon on a truck) with the company's response (kicking the guy off said truck and company).

Most rules do not allow for ignorance or disagreement. And such a hot button issue as carrying a weapon in a workplace is really common sense, no explanation needed.

(Please note, we are not discussing Second Amendment rights and privileges here. We could use a six pack of beer and have the same result.)

... since he did not leave on his own.

Larry has serious false rationalization issues if he can't link a person's rule-breaking activity (keeping a weapon on a truck) with the company's response (kicking the guy off said truck and company).

Most rules do not allow for ignorance or disagreement. And such a hot button issue as carrying a weapon in a workplace is really common sense, no explanation needed.

(Please note, we are not discussing Second Amendment rights and privileges here. We could use a six pack of beer and have the same result.)

Jeez dude, relax, reread the OP.

Was simply curious if the guy that f***ed up with the weapon) was still on the hook for his training, NOTHING MORE, NOTHING LESS.

The other queries, issues noted in other forums.

There are other trucking forums out there.

A few here took it as the lighthearted inquery it was intended as.

The guy with the gun is a dead horse, quite beating it, we all know, as does, it was a major FUp.

I only asked what happens to the tuition in light of hiis being terminated.

I read the contract i signed, and have no issues with it.

Oh and before you imagine im looking to jump ship, hows about i get ON the ship before we start thinking im looking to move elseware.

Question was also partially based on other post of now departed students, that simply failed to attain CDL , or did something equally stuped during TNT phase, or even might be shall we say, accident prone.

The question then also branches to what if a medical condition appears, and company decides they do not wish to continue the work relationship?

Try not to read anymore consperacy ideas into it beyond that.

Oh, and currently the only piece of the CDL skills test im concerned with failing, is the ally dock back up test.

Oh, and currently the only piece of the CDL skills test im concerned with failing, is the ally dock back up test.

Dude - everybody learns how to do this eventually. And even for veterans - it may not be pretty - but as long as you get it in and don't hit anything, you're good.

I'd think you'd be more concerned with the parallel park. Most folks I know can barely parallel park a CAR - much less a 60 foot plus tractor and trailer rig.

The alley dock is something you will have to do almost every day of your career (or at least the days you are at shippers/receivers). Most trainers will bring their guys back to practice on the pad a day or two before their skills test.

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Again - I'd opine (and it would probably be IN YOUR CONTRACT) that if you can't get the skills down enough to pass a CDL test, you might find at least some forgiveness from the company as far as your debt goes.

Rick

Oh, and currently the only piece of the CDL skills test im concerned with failing, is the ally dock back up test.

Dude - everybody learns how to do this eventually. And even for veterans - it may not be pretty - but as long as you get it in and don't hit anything, you're good.

I'd think you'd be more concerned with the parallel park. Most folks I know can barely parallel park a CAR - much less a 60 foot plus tractor and trailer rig.

The alley dock is something you will have to do almost every day of your career (or at least the days you are at shippers/receivers). Most trainers will bring their guys back to practice on the pad a day or two before their skills test.

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Again - I'd opine (and it would probably be IN YOUR CONTRACT) that if you can't get the skills down enough to pass a CDL test, you might find at least some forgiveness from the company as far as your debt goes.

Rick

Wow, guess im backwards, parrellel was easy, hell he had me doing them in an unlit lot tonight 😨

I get that the 90 deg. Is pretty much a staple, just dont make it any easier for passing the skills test ☺

For what ever reason, the cones yada, yada, yada, By today i was able to get it with only 2 to 4 points inside the time limit, course in real life the s/r is not gonna tell ya you only have 7 minutes to dock, and score ya. May not be a super backer, but i can hit all but the tight spots at TS,s at night ( a common refrain i hear on here).

And yes, the day or two practice stop is exactly what am doing now, we have a very large group feeding through prime, so pad time is difficult to acquire right now.

They are building more pad space, but thats not helpful right now.

☺

You are the first student driver I have ever heard say; "parallel is easy." If so then the trouble you are having just might be all in your head cause if your skills are at a point where parallel is no problem, then you clearly have what it takes to handle everything else.

Good luck...!