So I'm Going To Become A Truck Driver...(looking For Critique)

I just read Sysco has a CDL program now. Let me research a lil more and get back to you. I will have Anne post the links since I lack that skill.

Here's the backstory: Sysco and Training Startup~

As far as applying for their schooling, it's kinda 'location' sensitive, so .. enter yours, easily: Sysco CDL.

Thanks again, George B.!

Hope this helps the O/P ~

~ Anne ~

Kerry was one of the last to be trained at DML..... That's probably why they stopped.

Kerry was one of the last to be trained at DML..... That's probably why they stopped.

FYI and FWIW, he's still there, and doing well!

NOW, folks: As far as the O/P ..... think we might've gotten 'ONE HIT WONDERED' yet again ?!?!?! AUUGH~!

~ Anne~

ps: ...But I Get Up Again... (One Hit Wonder Fave!)

FWIW, I went the private school route using my VA benefits. However, knowing what I’ve learned in the hiring process if I had it to do over I’d go the MC sponsored program. You may find this hard to believe, private schools are not created equal. Two companies that I really wanted to work for did not recognize the school. Some are just CDL mills teaching nothing but what is required to obtain your license. Basically, the 3 maneuvers required to pass the state exam.

I realize you are only parroting the online garbage regarding Swift. Let me say you would be fortunate to be hired by them. I had the opportunity to attend their Top Gun class in Memphis, during that time I was able to see the training program. It is detailed training utilizing class room, range, actual cut away training aids, low student to instructor ratios coupled with quality equipment.

Not to harp on you as others have said your “want’s” are lofty for a newbie. I’ve gone this road myself over the last couple months. For a better understanding read the links you were provided here. Remember most of the negative online stuff is written by disgruntled folks. Question you have to ask yourself is “do I want to accept advice from winners or ………….” In the mean time work on making yourself marketable clean up what you can and most of all be honest on your applications.

Good luck with your endeavors.

Once again a drug addict who just quit, jumped on here, got tons of advice and vanished.

Thanks for the responses everyone. I had a hectic weekend and wasn't able to check back in. In regards to the first few posts, I wasn't necessarily trying to badmouth Swift or megacarriers, I know they will give me the experience I need. And the research I did about megacarriers wasn't from disgruntled employees, I had read/watched videos of people who said they enjoyed their time with them, but eventually moved onto different companies with higher wages.

I went and signed up for trucking school today. It was a lot more expensive than the 3.5k I had originally read from a yelp review (few years old so it makes sense) it was closer to 7k, gotta love inflation.....either way I went through with it. It seems like a good school; small classroom sizes, a trucking simulator video game thing to help learn double clutching , adequate amount of drive time practice with a trainer, a big yard with makeshift docks too. Plus the school has a job placement program. The classes start at the end of April.

I'm done doing drugs, I hardly even drink. I'm just desperately trying to fix my life and start my career. No need to call me a drug addict.

I wasn't necessarily trying to badmouth Swift or megacarriers, I know they will give me the experience I need. And the research I did about megacarriers wasn't from disgruntled employees, I had read/watched videos of people who said they enjoyed their time with them, but eventually moved onto different companies with higher wages.

Be honest with us. You thought you would find validation from us concerning the mega carriers. One of the best things you can do for yourself when starting this career is be honest with yourself.

Here's some real honesty for you..

You just spent 7,000 dollars to start a career that you may very well despise after a few months in. Why would I say such a thing? Because many drivers who try this feel just that way. They come into this with unrealistic expectations and romanticized delusions about the traveling lifestyle that quickly fade with the realities that trucking brings into their life. I honestly hope you get a decent return on your investment. You could have been real smart and played it safe by following our time tested advice. I don't know how YouTube has become such an authoritative source of information when most of the people there are just looking for hits and traffic so they can generate a few bucks into their bank accounts. They will say or do anything on there to get you to listen to them. They are there primarily for themselves. Very few of them are really interested in your success. Yet people trip all over themselves to get in there and learn the wrong way to go about a trucking career.

We tried real hard to help you see the advantages of Paid CDL Training Programs. We failed again. Oh well, we will stick with good solid advice because we know it is the right thing to do. Here's a free bit of advice from me. Stop focusing on higher wages. You are going to be a trucker now. Truckers get paid for their performance. You can study CPM rates until you are blue in the face, but they really don't mean anything. Everything about your net income in this business is completely related to your performance. Without the ability to outperform your peers, it won't really matter much what your CPM rate is. Everything about success at trucking is related to your ability to make things happen in your favor out here on the road. That is a tall order and it has nothing to do with your wages.

I want you to succeed. That is why I keep singing this same old song. I guess some people get tired of my story, but it is relevant to becoming a successful truck driver. Focus on being the best you can be at this. Don't waste your money on training you can get for free. Be careful about where you get your trucking advice. Always focus on how you can manage your career in a way that puts you at the top of the food chain.

Show Me The Money!

It is really hard for me to understand how people are shelling out $7k for a small piece of plastic which is available for free at so many places!

I’d like to add to what Old School said, “Don’t waste your money on training you can get for free”. Not only is company training free if you fulfill your commitment, but you also get PAID to go through the training! Plus you get free lodging and one or two free meals per day. Plus, the company has a vested interest in your success. It’s hard for me to understand why newbies go to private schools after checking in here at TT. I guess it’s the old “can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink” syndrome. SMH.

As I have told OP, I did both types of training, so here is my story of a private CDL training. It was soon after the virus hit. I had to close my bakery and was looking for an income. Driving a truck was number one on my list. I saw an ad in a local paper about free training for unemployed, and decided to visit their office. I did not apply for any benefits, because I did not want to be unemployed, just the opposite, but I was told that they can pay for almost any kind of training at hundreds of places - community colleges, universities, trading schools, etc. I asked about CDL and they send me to NETTTS, paying about $7,000 for a 200 hours class. It was scheduled for weekends, took about 2 months, the school was 20 minutes from my home. I started a small welding business at that time and had enough of free time on werkends, so the whole set up worked well for me. The only problem was that because of virus state troopers were not coming to test us. I was ready to test, but had to wait. And as nobody knew how long it would take (it was summer of 2020), I decided to sign up with a company and do it all over again... Any way, I got some knowledge and experience at NETTTS, plus you cannot beat the price :-)

I went through the sponsored training at Schneider and even though it was not perfect I believe it was a really good deal. Training was only 5 weeks (took 6 because they were behind on TEs), they covered 2 meals per day in addition to breakfast at the hotel, the hotel, transportation to and from training (flew my from NY to Indy), paid us 80 bucks a day and the contract is only 9 months. That was the CAT program for students who only has their permits and absolutely no experience.