Paying Off Contract Early

So I asked a question about contracts about a week ago. I was told to not leave the company until my contract is up and I've paid off my company sponsored schooling. What if I stay with the company that trains me just long enough to pay them off, but pay them at an accelerated rate? So instead of the 1 year long commitment to the company I would only be there a couple months using majority of my paychecks to pay them off early. Can they still stop me from working for another company for a set amount of time?

CRST has a non compete contract but once paid off, either by time or money. You can work anywhere.

There are multiple reasons we say to stick out the one year at your first company. One is that transitioning into trucking is hard. What some drivers blame on their first company is really just normal trucking life. So the grass may not be greener elsewhere. Another is that job hopping or a lack of commitment can look bad to the next employer. Most new drivers do not last a whole year in this business, so by bailing on the first company you could demonstrate to the next company that you won't last. Also, you form relationships and trust with your support staff. You have to start all over when you change companies. What I think is one of the most important in protecting your career is the interest the training company has in you. The first company puts effort and time into training you. Which means when you screw up....and you will... They are more likely to overlook a couple incidents than a company who expects you to be experienced. And believe me...you learn new things everyday out here, so in a sense. You feel new and inexperienced for a long time.

Nope, the contract pretty much covets the amount of student loan and repayment schedule.

Most companies are not setup or will bother setting up an accelerated repayment plan.

If that's what you want to do just bank the money until you have enough to cover the balance.

***Now the important part. There are 2 big reasons why everyone advises to stay for a year.

1. Insurance. Anything less than a year OTR and smaller outfits won't be able to on their plan. You'll just be jumping to another large carrier that self insures.

2. Work history. Again smaller outfits even some of the semi-large don't want to waste time on a hopper. Why invest time and money on someone who's going to bail for the next .02c a mile or some other benefit.

Overheard my FM talking to a couple of DM's. Every driver they lose costs $5 grand. And that's with a Mega carrier.

So, in short, nothing really holding you from paying off your debt early. Just be aware there could be unintended consequences.

I know my company avoids job hoppers, as do the majority of mid to large companies.

This is Ryan's situation:

My fiance is currently a driver for Werner. He has been a driver for 4 years been with a few different companies and we just really like Werner so far, we have had no complaints. His recruiter and the main people up in Omaha have approved everything for us to team already, and for us to train as husband and wife. He is also on one of their best dedicated accounts, that keeps us passing through our home town quite often. We would like to stay with this company. They have offered him incentives to stay with them as a team operator as well. Not many other companies will let him train me without him working for them for a set amount of time, and this dedicated account already fits our needs perfectly. All I need is a CDL and that is my major downfall.

You've already asked about this scenario a couple of times already. No matter how many times you ask us, nor how many different ways you put it, we just don't know some magical way for you to get your CDL for free and yet drive for Werner. We've all tried giving you suggestions and you continue to try to pound a square peg through a round hole. There isn't anything else we can tell you. If Werner is so great and your husband is doing so well there then take it up with Werner.

So I asked a question about contracts about a week ago. I was told to not leave the company until my contract is up and I've paid off my company sponsored schooling. What if I stay with the company that trains me just long enough to pay them off, but pay them at an accelerated rate? So instead of the 1 year long commitment to the company I would only be there a couple months using majority of my paychecks to pay them off early. Can they still stop me from working for another company for a set amount of time?

It appears you're not willing to put forth the commitment to a company so you either need to come up with the money to go through the school Werner works with, or go with a company that doesn't require a contract. I.e. Knight or Swift.

Just understand that without putting in the time with the company that you go to you may not be employable by Werner at that point.

This could be handled fairly quickly by calling Werner and asking them the question directly since their answer is all that really matters.

I work for Werner, and if you can get your CDL from a school, Werner will reimburse your tuition up to $7k, paid over a set period of time ($100/month) until its paid of.... Its paid to the loan company (or you if you paid for it out of pocket....) That is the info I got last time I checked, and the program I'm in.... I am currently on a dedicated account in VT, and really like my DM. He keeps me running, and average over .55/mile and am home weekends....

If you have any questions, feel free to let me know, and I will try and answer the best I can...