Portland Maine Area Folks, CDL Schools....

Heavy C's Journal

Brief summary: I am going to be ageing out of my current career in another 5 years or so. Plus the nature of my current career has changed in a way that I do not like, nor do I feel I can overcome. I have seriously looked into trucking in the past and am starting to again. The last time I looked into it seriously was 2007, so now its a matter of getting a feeling of the current career landscape. I am now in a financial position to change careers and take the pay hit for a little while as I build up my experience (not saying that in a condescending manner or anything).

I came to TT since I remember the other forums from the last decade being WAY too negative. At least here folks are reasonable.

Due to the fact that the companies I talked to already do not have schools (similar to @Grumpy Old Man), I am going the private school route. I also specifically have money set aside for school and soon will have the time to go during the week instead of part-time on the weekends.

The school I mentioned is really the only one around here, so I sort of have no choice. I read over @Heavy C's journal and he seemed to have liked it.

Back in the last decade my plan was a little different, but now I hope to get on regional for a while so I can both enjoy the OTR lifestyle AND be home at a reasonable clip. After that I plan/hope to go local. Some companies would consider new grads for local work, but not sure if local in the Northeast is a good way to go starting out.

Thanks for everyone input thus far.

Not going to get too deep into it, but I will not be going to a company sponsored training. Will be private school for me!

Why don't you go deep into it so we know what you're thinking and can help ensure you're making decisions based on sound principles and not misunderstandings.

Due to the fact that the companies I talked to already do not have schools (similar to @Grumpy Old Man), I am going the private school route.

OK. I do understand that, obviously.

Just understand that, like me, you could end up paying for school and then not be hired for the company or companies you prefer to work for, and still end up going to a company that would have paid for your school. Hopefully if that happens they will have a good tuition reimbursement program. And be sure those companies will hire from your school, though NTI seems to be a good school. It doesn’t hurt to double check though.

Understood. I have some time before I would attend school. Trying to make it out of the winter first. But, I will be calling a few more companies and will double check if NTI is on their list.

Thanks again!

Due to the fact that the companies I talked to already do not have schools (similar to @Grumpy Old Man), I am going the private school route.

OK. I do understand that, obviously.

Just understand that, like me, you could end up paying for school and then not be hired for the company or companies you prefer to work for, and still end up going to a company that would have paid for your school. Hopefully if that happens they will have a good tuition reimbursement program. And be sure those companies will hire from your school, though NTI seems to be a good school. It doesn’t hurt to double check though.

Understood. I have some time before I would attend school. Trying to make it out of the winter first. But, I will be calling a few more companies and will double check if NTI is on their list.

Thanks again!

Due to the fact that the companies I talked to already do not have schools (similar to @Grumpy Old Man), I am going the private school route.

OK. I do understand that, obviously.

Just understand that, like me, you could end up paying for school and then not be hired for the company or companies you prefer to work for, and still end up going to a company that would have paid for your school. Hopefully if that happens they will have a good tuition reimbursement program. And be sure those companies will hire from your school, though NTI seems to be a good school. It doesn’t hurt to double check though.

I decided to train during winter for the experience

Hey there N14! I did NTI a few years back and I see it was shared on here. Can’t speak for the NTI school near you but mine was a blast. Also you might be able to get it paid for through a career center as I found that out too late after I did mine out of pocket.