Best School In Dallas.

You won't be able to get any local gigs with 3 months experience man. As it was mentioned before, there are no shortcuts. With 3 months, you're still considered a student. Most companies would make you go through orientation and training all over again. Company sponsored, private school or a community college/tech school is the way to go. What's the hurry if I may ask?

I've been seeing several different ads on craigslist over the years requiring at least 3 months experience. UsExpress has an ad about being home daily without any experience. Schneider recently has an job posting on their website about a home daily position opened for "all CDL holders", it's hard to catch that one... I talked to both of them on the phone and they said they require certification from school to be considered. But Schneider consistently has a home several times a week position available and a few home weekly ones too, if it comes down to it I can look into doing that. So I think getting CDL through either TDI or International would be the best bet, just trying to find out the best one in Dallas...

The hurry I guess would be I just don't dig the whole OTR or regional idea, I like being coming home and doing my thing. But if it comes down to it I'll do OTR in stride for a better future...

I can't help with best school in Dallas, but I am curious why you are against company sponsored training. Many members here have taken advantage of that and are very successful. As far as paying some person to teach you I would strongly advise against it. Most companies require 160 hours of schooling because that's what their insurance company requires. I understand its cheaper to do it that way but in reality its likely going to be a waste of money. There are no shortcuts when it comes to learning to SAFELY operate a truck.

I just rather pay 4k for a school and get more options and get the tuition reimbursements than 6-7k contract. If a regional or local job doesn't come along I'll do the OTR for about 3 months and get on a local company. I called international trucking school and they said its 200 hour class. Yeah I agree with doing the weekend CDL for 1k doesn't sound safe. I'll stick with a school, just trying to figure out witch one...

Your statement about having more options if you pay your own way....while its true some companies hire recent grads but don't offer company sponsored training , don't fall into the trap we see here far too frequently of thinking your a "free agent". Too many people hear that there's a driver shortage and think that these companies are just gonna drool over ANYBODY that holds a CDL. What many people fail to see is its a shortage of experienced drivers who are DEPENDABLE, SAFE, RELIABLE. I didn't see you mention anything of that matter in your post, just want to make sure you understand that. Whether you go with paid training, or community college/private school you will still learn the bare minimum to pass the test. Your real learning will begin during training at whom ever you decide to work for.

Yes I wont think that. Yeah 99 percent of ads with huge sign on bonuses require a year or more experience. Schneider and UsExpress are kinda what im leaning on to apply for after I get graduate from accredited school. And if they don't work out of whatever I can try to apply at other companies that will make me stay out longer...

The hurry I guess would be I just don't dig the whole OTR or regional idea

Stephen, we highly recommend you do one year over the road. It gives you a chance to really learn what you're doing. There are no shortcuts to success in this business. Anytime a person is looking for the type of opportunities you keep mentioning, they almost always serve their purposes better by doing one year over the road first. You'd save yourself a ton of money, and help smooth out your path to success by re-evaluating the Paid CDL Training Programs.

Let's say you get three months in somewhere, then you take one of these local/semi-local jobs you are seeing advertised. What do you think will happen if you get in a little fender bender and they decide you're not worth any further risk? You won't even have one year of experience, plus an accident, and a dismissal. You'll be out all that cash you spent for training, out of a job, and quite possibly out of opportunities at that point.

Stephen we've seen all these scenarios multiple times in here, from people who always seemed to know better than us. I know you're going to go with what you think is best for you, but I just hope you'll seriously consider the advice here that you seem to keep brushing aside.

Stephen wrote:

I just rather pay 4k for a school and get more options and get the tuition reimbursements than 6-7k contract.

6-7k contract? Where did you hear that? Paid CDL Training Programs typically require a 12 month driving commitment. The $$$ value of these courses are less than 4K if you paid out of pocket.

With Swift if you drive for them a minimum of 12 months, the 4K is discounted by about half and paid off with a weekly $38.00 deduction. After month 12, Swift reimburses the same $38.00 per week until the balance is at zero. After 24 months your schooling is free.

Considering your desire for a more local gig, Swift arguably has the most regional and dedicated options available. Many of those options are available immediately after mentoring (200 hrs of road training). I have been running Walmart Dedicated for over 5 years and have no desire to look elsewhere.

Brett recently wrote this article (link) that offers a perspective you may not have considerd: Why Paid CDL School is Preferred

Not trying to change your mind, however I think it's important to understand the big picture as you make your decision. Good luck.

The hurry I guess would be I just don't dig the whole OTR or regional idea

Stephen, we highly recommend you do one year over the road. It gives you a chance to really learn what you're doing. There are no shortcuts to success in this business. Anytime a person is looking for the type of opportunities you keep mentioning, they almost always serve their purposes better by doing one year over the road first. You'd save yourself a ton of money, and help smooth out your path to success by re-evaluating the Paid CDL Training Programs.

Let's say you get three months in somewhere, then you take one of these local/semi-local jobs you are seeing advertised. What do you think will happen if you get in a little fender bender and they decide you're not worth any further risk? You won't even have one year of experience, plus an accident, and a dismissal. You'll be out all that cash you spent for training, out of a job, and quite possibly out of opportunities at that point.

Stephen we've seen all these scenarios multiple times in here, from people who always seemed to know better than us. I know you're going to go with what you think is best for you, but I just hope you'll seriously consider the advice here that you seem to keep brushing aside.

Oh okay that makes sense. How often could I get home if I hopped on Swift Transport and did the whole cdl sponsored training program with them? What would happen if I just can't handle the OTR and quit and come home? That's really the only thing im so uncomfortable with company sponsored programs.

It says:

"While some drivers do run a regional or dedicated account directly after training, most drivers remain in the OTR division for 6 months to 1yr. However, drivers may choose a “comfort zone” in which Swift will make every attempt to keep drivers within a 1 to 2 day trip back home and remain in an area drivers are more comfortable with."

"If a driver leaves before the first 52 weeks, the driver will owe $75 for every week remaining. For example, if a driver leaves after 6 months of employment, the following will be owed:

52 week repayment plan minus 26 weeks of employment = 26 weeks remaining. 26 weeks @75 = $1,950 payment due"

Idk if the payment plan they set you up with is interest free... I would have to read their contract. I will contact the recruiter about my questions too next week. But I hear to never trust them.

Stephen wrote:

I just rather pay 4k for a school and get more options and get the tuition reimbursements than 6-7k contract.

6-7k contract? Where did you hear that? Paid CDL Training Programs typically require a 12 month driving commitment. The $$$ value of these courses are less than 4K if you paid out of pocket.

With Swift if you drive for them a minimum of 12 months, the 4K is discounted by about half and paid off with a weekly $38.00 deduction. After month 12, Swift reimburses the same $38.00 per week until the balance is at zero. After 24 months your schooling is free.

Considering your desire for a more local gig, Swift arguably has the most regional and dedicated options available. Many of those options are available immediately after mentoring (200 hrs of road training). I have been running Walmart Dedicated for over 5 years and have no desire to look elsewhere.

Brett recently wrote this article (link) that offers a perspective you may not have considerd: Why Paid CDL School is Preferred

Not trying to change your mind, however I think it's important to understand the big picture as you make your decision. Good luck.

I think thats what Stevens will charge you all together with if you just quit during the contract

Stephen wrote:

I just rather pay 4k for a school and get more options and get the tuition reimbursements than 6-7k contract.

6-7k contract? Where did you hear that? Paid CDL Training Programs typically require a 12 month driving commitment. The $$$ value of these courses are less than 4K if you paid out of pocket.

With Swift if you drive for them a minimum of 12 months, the 4K is discounted by about half and paid off with a weekly $38.00 deduction. After month 12, Swift reimburses the same $38.00 per week until the balance is at zero. After 24 months your schooling is free.

Considering your desire for a more local gig, Swift arguably has the most regional and dedicated options available. Many of those options are available immediately after mentoring (200 hrs of road training). I have been running Walmart Dedicated for over 5 years and have no desire to look elsewhere.

Brett recently wrote this article (link) that offers a perspective you may not have considerd: Why Paid CDL School is Preferred

Not trying to change your mind, however I think it's important to understand the big picture as you make your decision. Good luck.

I heard/read you pay more than 4k if you break the contract and quit. Oh okay I'll def look into the regional dedicated options swift has. Is the 200 hrs of road training OTR? Is your Walmart Dedicated run home daily?

Stephen, don't be too paranoid about companies with paid cdl training. The contracts are no big deal. If you go to a private truck driving school you have to pay the tuition up front, regardless of whether you complete the schooling or land a job afterward.

If you go through company training they'll finance the schooling for you. In return you work for them for a given amount of time, and you may have to pay back some tuition, depending on the company you choose. Each one has a slightly different structure to their contract.

I highly advise you not to choose a company based upon the details of their contracts. Choose the company that suits you best and go for it. You want to end up with a job that suits you well. Trying to save a little money or find a shorter contract and compromising on the type of job you wind up with is not going to be worth it in the end. You're going to kick yourself for that.

So choose a trucking company based on:

• The type of freight you want to haul
• What parts of the country you'd like to run
• How often you'd like to be home

Those are the basics. Don't obsess about the particulars of the contract. Make sure you understand the contracts you're being asked to sign, but don't choose a company based on differences in the contract. It's not worth it.

Stephen wrote:

I heard/read you pay more than 4k if you break the contract and quit. Oh okay I'll def look into the regional dedicated options swift has. Is the 200 hrs of road training OTR? Is your Walmart Dedicated run home daily?

4K is what you'll owe Swift if you complete the full course with Swift.

The 200 hours of road training is the total number of hours required for student driving. It's unlikely you'll get home during that process so plan accordingly and expect about 1 month of time on the road.

For the Walmart account I am assigned to, it if a driver lives within an hour of the D.C., it's likely you'll be home everyday. We have about 20 drivers out of 100 who commute every day and slip-seat with available tractors. The other drivers who sleep in their trucks at the D.C., get home a minimum of 1 day per week. There is a lot of flexibility if a driver lives relatively close to the DC.

Keep a basic concept in mind; trucking is a lifestyle that requires many adjustments. It also requires every driver go through and conquer the initial learning curve that is most challenging during the first year. You'll need to decide just how much you want this and if you are willing to sacrifice your current level of free time in order to get a good start in this career.

Read Brett's book before proceeding too much further. Becoming A Truck Driver: The Raw Truth About Truck Driving

4K is what you'll owe Swift if you complete the full course with Swift.

...if you drive for them a minimum if 12 months post graduation, your out of pocket is basically half that amount.