Thinking About Going To Private School Instead

The point I made in my post regarding the reason for considering school then choosing a company is because of the inconsistent and inconsiderate natural of the way the companies can string you along and in the end it was a waste of time . And it’s partially my fault putting all my eggs in 1 company but the reason I did was I was approved and then all of a sudden nothing . So I’m considering is it better to already have cdl in hand when applying to a company is better.

Also I’ve been reading all through the forum and I’m aware of the challenges of becoming a professional driver and it is the reason i am drawn to it. I enjoy challenges , problem solving , decision making etc.

In the end I’ll make the decision which route to take is best for me after weighing all options and opinions.

Also with the school I am considering the cost would be sponsored by a company, the only difference is I would do school in my hometown and avoid having to travel all the way to company for training and having that possibility that the company can decide to send me home at any time for any reason .

So, all in all, it still WOULD BE company paid (sponsored) training? That's what my guy did in 03. Roadmasters partnered with USX back then. Didn't know they still did that!

Care to share ?!?!? (Company & school?)

Either way.. kudos, m'lady. Might see you out there this time next year, when my youngest ages out of the house, haha!

~ Anne ~

The school is 160 Driving Academy. They have carrier sponsorship where either Swift, Werner, Covenant or Landair sponsor and you work for them. So it either be Werner I choose if Approved or I’ll hopefully go through Prime if they approve me once my ticket from 2018 14 over speed limit falls off . Then I’ll only have 1 Speeding ticket (7 over ) and 1 minor accident that I was not at fault for on my 3 year mvr record.

The point I made in my post regarding the reason for considering school then choosing a company is because of the inconsistent and inconsiderate natural of the way the companies can string you along and in the end it was a waste of time . And it’s partially my fault putting all my eggs in 1 company but the reason I did was I was approved and then all of a sudden nothing . So I’m considering is it better to already have cdl in hand when applying to a company is better.

Also I’ve been reading all through the forum and I’m aware of the challenges of becoming a professional driver and it is the reason i am drawn to it. I enjoy challenges , problem solving , decision making etc.

In the end I’ll make the decision which route to take is best for me after weighing all options and opinions.

Also with the school I am considering the cost would be sponsored by a company, the only difference is I would do school in my hometown and avoid having to travel all the way to company for training and having that possibility that the company can decide to send me home at any time for any reason .

So, all in all, it still WOULD BE company paid (sponsored) training? That's what my guy did in 03. Roadmasters partnered with USX back then. Didn't know they still did that!

Care to share ?!?!? (Company & school?)

Either way.. kudos, m'lady. Might see you out there this time next year, when my youngest ages out of the house, haha!

~ Anne ~

Tierra, there's no right or wrong answer on this. We just have seen countless times where people think having that CDL in had is going to make all their problems disappear, but it just doesn't work like that. If we can have a job lined up before we even get started then that is obviously the best. I know you kind of have shell shock after what happened with Wilson, and I don't blame you. Nothing changes though. I am going to guess there was something in your timeline of your work history that caused them to pause. I honestly don't know. The problem with these outfits is that they won't usually tell why they back off on someone. I can empathize with you completely. I don't know if you read the article I linked to but it covers my experience of going through a private school. I could not get hired for anything. I never could figure out why.

Anytime you can have someone else invest in your future, and then be willing to put skin in the game to help you get that future started, you are going to be way ahead of anyone who just walks in with a new CDL. Truck driving schools don't make truck drivers. They can't. They have about four weeks to work with, and that isn't even going to make you confident you can pass the driving test. Many do pass, but I can promise you that most of them are surprised when they do. The schools take your money, work with you for about four weeks, and then want you to get on out of there so they can get the next guys money. The Paid CDL Training Programs put up their own money, provide transportation, housing, and meals. They take all the risk. They have a right to be a little bit picky about who they choose. They are taking all the risk. They don't send people home for random reasons. They may ghost you for a random reason, but they found something they weren't comfortable with.

Have you thought about your work history? I honestly think that is what snagged you up. I can't imagine anything being related to you sending them your driver's license. You said they had already run your MVR. I feel for you Tierra. I had the same issues when I was trying to get hired. I still to this day don't know what it was. I had a list of rejections that I could fill a page with. Nobody wanted to hire me. Once I got hired I made sure I learned my craft well. Today I could get a job at any trucking company, but as a rookie I was beginning to feel like an outcast. If I could have lined up the job first I would have been way better off. That is why I encourage folks to follow through with applying to several company sponsored training programs. I am confident one of them would take you unless there is something mysterious going on that we don't know about. I know you are thinking about your dog and that is going to limit you somewhat. Keep us posted with your progress. We are here to help you any way we can.

Hey Old School , my work history is great. Never been fired , all great references. As stated that was all approved , background check and employment check , no gaps at , been with my current company 2 years. I’m thinking it was my minor accident that happened less that initially I was put at fault for . But I went to court for that and fought like hell because it really wasn’t my fault the other driver actually left the scene and came back with a false witness. The office did not put my statement on the report and the video footage literally disappeared let’s just say it was a disaster and my insurance company ended up going after the driver and holding them responsible for my damages and I had to file complaint against police department. But again they were aware of it even sent them all the info regarding it . Then after I sent my copy of CLP and Driver license that’s when i didn’t hear anything else .

I’m putting that behind me now and just moving forward . Hopefully i am driving with a company soon .

Thank you for your input.

Tierra, there's no right or wrong answer on this. We just have seen countless times where people think having that CDL in had is going to make all their problems disappear, but it just doesn't work like that. If we can have a job lined up before we even get started then that is obviously the best. I know you kind of have shell shock after what happened with Wilson, and I don't blame you. Nothing changes though. I am going to guess there was something in your timeline of your work history that caused them to pause. I honestly don't know. The problem with these outfits is that they won't usually tell why they back off on someone. I can empathize with you completely. I don't know if you read the article I linked to but it covers my experience of going through a private school. I could not get hired for anything. I never could figure out why.

Anytime you can have someone else invest in your future, and then be willing to put skin in the game to help you get that future started, you are going to be way ahead of anyone who just walks in with a new CDL. Truck driving schools don't make truck drivers. They can't. They have about four weeks to work with, and that isn't even going to make you confident you can pass the driving test. Many do pass, but I can promise you that most of them are surprised when they do. The schools take your money, work with you for about four weeks, and then want you to get on out of there so they can get the next guys money. The Paid CDL Training Programs put up their own money, provide transportation, housing, and meals. They take all the risk. They have a right to be a little bit picky about who they choose. They are taking all the risk. They don't send people home for random reasons. They may ghost you for a random reason, but they found something they weren't comfortable with.

Have you thought about your work history? I honestly think that is what snagged you up. I can't imagine anything being related to you sending them your driver's license. You said they had already run your MVR. I feel for you Tierra. I had the same issues when I was trying to get hired. I still to this day don't know what it was. I had a list of rejections that I could fill a page with. Nobody wanted to hire me. Once I got hired I made sure I learned my craft well. Today I could get a job at any trucking company, but as a rookie I was beginning to feel like an outcast. If I could have lined up the job first I would have been way better off. That is why I encourage folks to follow through with applying to several company sponsored training programs. I am confident one of them would take you unless there is something mysterious going on that we don't know about. I know you are thinking about your dog and that is going to limit you somewhat. Keep us posted with your progress. We are here to help you any way we can.

Also my only criminal history in my 30 years of life is a single misdemeanor for failure to confine dog lol i didn’t have a leash on my 6 month old put when he got out the house and was picked up by animal control less than 10 mins after he got out . I had to go pick him up and didn’t realize it was a criminal charge vs a civil fine . I am a licensed claims adjuster and the background check is as grueling as the trucking and I have never had an issue with obtaining and keeping my licenses which include employment check as well.

Hey Old School , my work history is great. Never been fired , all great references. As stated that was all approved , background check and employment check , no gaps at , been with my current company 2 years. I’m thinking it was my minor accident that happened less that initially I was put at fault for . But I went to court for that and fought like hell because it really wasn’t my fault the other driver actually left the scene and came back with a false witness. The office did not put my statement on the report and the video footage literally disappeared let’s just say it was a disaster and my insurance company ended up going after the driver and holding them responsible for my damages and I had to file complaint against police department. But again they were aware of it even sent them all the info regarding it . Then after I sent my copy of CLP and Driver license that’s when i didn’t hear anything else .

I’m putting that behind me now and just moving forward . Hopefully i am driving with a company soon .

Thank you for your input.

Tierra, there's no right or wrong answer on this. We just have seen countless times where people think having that CDL in had is going to make all their problems disappear, but it just doesn't work like that. If we can have a job lined up before we even get started then that is obviously the best. I know you kind of have shell shock after what happened with Wilson, and I don't blame you. Nothing changes though. I am going to guess there was something in your timeline of your work history that caused them to pause. I honestly don't know. The problem with these outfits is that they won't usually tell why they back off on someone. I can empathize with you completely. I don't know if you read the article I linked to but it covers my experience of going through a private school. I could not get hired for anything. I never could figure out why.

Anytime you can have someone else invest in your future, and then be willing to put skin in the game to help you get that future started, you are going to be way ahead of anyone who just walks in with a new CDL. Truck driving schools don't make truck drivers. They can't. They have about four weeks to work with, and that isn't even going to make you confident you can pass the driving test. Many do pass, but I can promise you that most of them are surprised when they do. The schools take your money, work with you for about four weeks, and then want you to get on out of there so they can get the next guys money. The Paid CDL Training Programs put up their own money, provide transportation, housing, and meals. They take all the risk. They have a right to be a little bit picky about who they choose. They are taking all the risk. They don't send people home for random reasons. They may ghost you for a random reason, but they found something they weren't comfortable with.

Have you thought about your work history? I honestly think that is what snagged you up. I can't imagine anything being related to you sending them your driver's license. You said they had already run your MVR. I feel for you Tierra. I had the same issues when I was trying to get hired. I still to this day don't know what it was. I had a list of rejections that I could fill a page with. Nobody wanted to hire me. Once I got hired I made sure I learned my craft well. Today I could get a job at any trucking company, but as a rookie I was beginning to feel like an outcast. If I could have lined up the job first I would have been way better off. That is why I encourage folks to follow through with applying to several company sponsored training programs. I am confident one of them would take you unless there is something mysterious going on that we don't know about. I know you are thinking about your dog and that is going to limit you somewhat. Keep us posted with your progress. We are here to help you any way we can.

Hopefully you make the choice thats right for you. I have 3 speeding tickets in 2 years. Wilson said yes at first, then said no. It happens. I was going to go the private school route at first as well. A lot of the folks on the site here gave me very compelling reasons not to. If you stop for a minute and think about it, If you were pretty positive that you had a job lined up, and they elected not to hire. That same thing happening After you went to school and paid for the schooling would be even worse.

Anyway, its just business, I dont fault any company for not hiring me. Im green, Its an investment on their part, and we have tickets. If you have ever had to purchase commercial auto insurance with freight coverage, you know how restrictive and expensive it is, just for a small van or truck. I paid well over 5,000 per premium (every 6 months) for 1 mil coverage and less than 100k freight, and on top of it, I couldnt let most of my employees drive the vehicle as they had various tickets and such. I had a hell of a time even finding a carrier that would write me a policy. Workers comp is even worse. Way worse. Trust me on it.

So I went with Prime. They seem to be able to get it done. Well see though, Ill know im hired by them when I actually am driving a truck for them and getting paid for it. Just my 02 cents worth as someone just about where you are at in the process.

Old School, I’m a little disappointed.

I don’t mind “tough love”, I’m a father to three young adults and dole it out often enough. But I do make it a point to understand what I’m talking about.

I’m not unhappy with my choice to work for PAM. I would do it again with a privately acquired cdl. It was in my power to do it privately but I chose the paid option, and that’s the only part I would change. Again, I watched several people wash out at school, and that doesn’t mean they don’t have to pay. They are now on the hook for twice as much as the private school, with no cdl. How is that better off than Zach?

It’s about making the right choice for your circumstances. Things like how much training do you need? Or do you need to stay working while going to school? This forum influenced my choice to go the paid cdl path, but I got information from many sources and take full responsibility for the it.

Being a “free agent” may not increase the pool of available employers, but it doesn’t shrink it either. There are also better schools than the one I went to which offered me an average less than 1:10 ratio of seat time to hours in the yard. There’s a state tech college near me that offers a 320 hour course for half the price of the sponsored school, and it’s a superior learning experience (since it couldn’t be otherwise) and my first choice company would have hired me from there. Community colleges even have student aid.

I didn’t have that kind of time, personal choices based on personal circumstances.

It’s a common mistake when we’ve lived long enough, and encountered enough people, to pigeonhole them into categories. You took one line from a comment and extrapolated my career potential. In case it isn’t clear at this point, this isn’t the first thing I’ve been new at. If you want to know why I’m changing career at 53, just ask, but don’t assume I can’t know anything about starting a challenging career. The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that I’m responsible for my career, not some recruiter or dispatcher. I have to make it work by working with people, not looking for excuses. But that doesn’t mean forum members should be afraid to vent a little, or share difficult times. If every challenge is met with another dose of “tough love”, the love part gets lost.

“posting like newbies”.. I’m not afraid of posting problems or complaints, but if you’ve read my posts you’ll also see I post confidence in solutions with patience and endurance. I came into this eyes open, though you can’t seem to believe anyone can know anything at the start.

Do I feel the pinch? I have a mortgage, two car payments, three grown kids who still depend on me, and an amazing wife whose shoulders have born too much already. So YES, I feel the pinch every day. How about you? Will the stress of trucking break me, or will the action of creating solutions to my other stresses actually relieve some? I’ve run businesses, I’ve been successful and struggled. I’m as prepared for the unknown as one can be.

As for “skin in the game”, well there’s also something called “sunk cost”. Any manager will tell you that it’s better to abandon an investment than continue in a bad one. Not saying Zach or anyone else is a bad investment, I’m challenging the notion that a company paying for school does anything for job security. Your story is anecdotal, and it’s from an earlier time. The big companies of today are even bigger, and the corporate mentality, I’ll wager, has only increased over that time. The contract for that “paid cdl school” says that if you don’t pass your test, never mind meet your contracted employment duration, you are liable for the entire cost. Kids with zero experience with a clutch or trailer were expected to learn enough to pass their test in just 3 weeks or get stuck with a $7k bill. Seems to me they got that skin covered either way. Not everyone is cut out for that kind of stress, and its foolish to think otherwise.

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This isn’t me hating on paid school. I think it’s great and creates opportunity for a lot of people who otherwise could never become a driver. It’s about understanding what’s best for the individual and their individual circumstances. And its about pushing back on some really bad stereotyping of me. If you want to know where I’m coming from, just ask. If you want to use me as a straw man to increase your own authority, then I’m going to push back.

I’m all grown up and don’t require a cheering section, but be careful with that tough love, it easily becomes a discouraging word. Tough love doesn’t drive people into a corner, it gives them a clean path to choose right. And that path is never groveling to your side in shame, or it’s just tough without love.

If I sound insulted, I reckon I am a bit, but more disappointed. I joined this community for honest insight into the trucking world, I expect opinions and even disagreements. I don’t think disagreements should be cause for ad hominem attacks. Old School, you’re a respected member here and I expect for very good reason. I think you may have fallen victim to your own press though. If maligning dissenters is the rule of the day, this forum will never be more than a choir all singing the same tune, incapable of introspection.

So to the Girl & her Dog, just remember it’s you who must live with your choice. You know your circumstances, how much time you have, and what your options are. It’s not about which is the “right” choice, rather which is right for you.

when my youngest ages out of the house, haha!

That actually happens?? When??

Actually, my youngest will be the first out, heading for the Air Force. I'll have to build an apartment for the youtube star downstairs though.

If you want to use me as a straw man to increase your own authority, then I’m going to push back.

Mark, I apologize if I came across to forcefully. I could care less about any kind of perceived authority you think I enjoy. I am here to teach people about the realities of trucking. I can do that because I know them well. They have kicked me around at times. The only thing I wanted to push back against was this idea that you can be a free agent in trucking. Look, I know people wash out all the time in paid CDL training. It is unfortunate. It's something you and I can agree on. I also know that these programs are fast paced for a reason. They are looking for people who can take charge and make decisions. That's what they need. Everything about these programs is calculated to produce effective drivers for their team. It works.

Honestly it doesn't matter what kind of schooling you get. Nobody comes out of school being a trucker. To be a free agent you nave to provide much needed talents and skills. Nobody coming out of trucking school can do that. Let's just assume it was a poor choice of words on your part. If that's the case, then great. But it is very misleading. We have a lot of people who will read this conversation in the future. I'm not even sure if you have any idea how many will see it. When there is bad information posted like that we have got to put some correction on it. That's what I felt we needed. Forgive me - it certainly wasn't meant as personal attack on you.