New Job And Looking For Advice

I am working on getting a new job that is heavy with cdl driver needs. I don’t know if they do anything with a CDL school but the pay for a laborer is still more than I make right now. I am trying to decide if I should continue with the company I am currently working on getting or if I should work with one of the companies that pay for the CDL.

Jessica, you could probably get some good advice here, but your post is not detailed enough. Not really clear about what you are asking. More info please.

What more information do you want? I’m trying to figure out if I should keep with this company and get my cdl with them and possibly have to pay for it out of pocket or go through one of the companies that pay for it and you usually have to drive for them for a while.

You shouldn't compare your pay while training to a day laborer. When you are in training the company isn't earning any money off of you and your pay is typically meant as a way to get you by until you are trained and go solo. Your earnings then should be more than a day laborer but is dependent on your performance.

Our son Michael has been driving for 3 years and grosses from $1425/week up to (rarely) $2000/week. The $1425 is his guaranteed minimum (assuming he follows all of the rules) and usually kicks in when he takes home time.

Take a look at the long term big picture.

Are you overall happy with your current employer? What type of driving job would it be? Is there a path to obtaining your CDL through your current employer? If you need to pay out of pocket will they guarantee you a driving job? What are your long time goals? That's just a few things to consider. A few years back when I worked the warehouse at Sysco they were bringing back a dock to driver program. For nearly a year it was dragged out and I kept being told "soon" or "in the coming weeks" they'd be sending me to school. I finally had enough and ultimately went somewhere that hired me to get my license and be a driver for them in exchange for a 1 year contract.

If you go to a company that offers Paid CDL Training Programs you will most likely be going Over The Road for 10 to 14 days and home for a couple days. Industry standard is 1 day home for every 5 to 7 days out with some companies expecting you to stay out 3 to 4 weeks at a time. For me, OTR was going to be a last resort due to my family life at home.

Another thing to consider is freight is currently down due to the economy. Many companies have slowed their hiring as they're having trouble keeping their current drivers busy.

As is the most recommended way mentioned here on T.T. is go with a company that trains you for your CDL , and a guaranteed job after training. I can tell you from my 1st experience going to a local to me "School" was a waste of my time......The best option I found, was with CRST, not that I wanted to team drive, but it worked to get started, FINALLY. My first full year, learning the ropes, and with lots of time off between finding co drivers (a PITA) I made $36k gross (started 31 cents pm, 1 year of monthly penny raises hit 42 cpm) next 10 months earned up to $40k. Then I quit (@ 60 cents pm)to take some time off for 5 months. It was a great starting and learning experience.

The thing is to go in without expectations,an ego, a bad attitude, and be like a sponge and soak up as much knowledge possible!.......I started again, at a new company to earn n save up for my impending retirement in March 2022. There I was solo, with a brand new truck, @ $0.59 cpm , and kinda had a sort of dedicated lane from Cali to Oklahoma. I'd still be driving for them if I had continued working to max retirement age, but hell no I could't wait for age 62 hahaha