Is this normal?

[grandpatim]

I recently talked to Gainey Transportation about their training program. Everything sounded good until he told me that I had to sign a contract for a year to pay back the training. Then he told me that they did a payroll deduction of 100 bucks a paycheck to pay for the schooling. Now this seems like they are double billing you. Kinda like slavery and you pay your slaveholder to be a slave. Is this normal in the trucking world?

[Useless]

That's why it's best to get training from a Community College (best option!!) or through a diploma mill on your own; the "free" training isn't always so free!!!

What you are describing takes place at other companies also.

Get your training on your own, if you possibly can. Many Community Colleges offer superior training at a much lower cost than the diploma mills.

Many companies offer tuition re-reimbursement to the tune of about $150. per month, so that's better than being indentured, AND having them dip their grubby hands into your paycheck!!

BOL2U!!

[doug33]

Check with the local Workforce Commission and see about the WIA program ,in most cases you go to school for free.

[flyinphoenix]

Gainey gets money back from Uncle Sam for every person they put through threir training program......just like all the other major carries...ie: Swift/Sny/Weiner(opps)....the best thing you can do for yourself is to not get locked into a one year (contract).... if you default, it can and will be reported to credit agencies...better to check out federal or state funded programs or bite the bullet and borrow $$$.....best of luck

[grandpatim]

I can't go to the local school because its 8 weeks long and Monday thru Friday. They don't have night or weekend classes. And I can't afford to go to school that long without a paycheck. And I make too much now to qualify for any financial aid. I don't mind signing a contract for a year. At my age (48) a year seems about 3 weeks long. Either make me sign a contract for a year or make me payback the school out of payroll deduction. But don't make me do both. That seems like paying double. I don't mind paying my dues to start out.

[flyinphoenix]

I can't go to the local school because its 8 weeks long and Monday thru Friday. They don't have night or weekend classes. And I can't afford to go to school that long without a paycheck. And I make too much now to qualify for any financial aid. I don't mind signing a contract for a year. At my age (48) a year seems about 3 weeks long. Either make me sign a contract for a year or make me payback the school out of payroll deduction. But don't make me do both. That seems like paying double. I don't mind paying my dues to start out.

Ok, then sign the contract, get your wish, and stay out of the center and hammer lane while doing 63 mph, best of luck

[solo379]

Is this normal in the trucking world?

I'm no way an expert on this, but i don't believe that's a norm!
BTW From my observation on the road Gainey drivers kinda scary, and they are not governed at 63mph that's for sure! :shock:

From what i see, and hear, I'd recommend "Pumpkin" as a training company!

[Mars]

This is normal. You sign a contract for a year that states that you will stay with the company for a year. This gives them the assurance to invest time and money to train you knowing they will get it back.

If you do not stay with them for a year the have you right by the b*lls, and they will sue you for the money owed.

[solo379]

This is normal. You sign a contract for a year that states that you will stay with the company for a year. This gives them the assurance to invest time and money to train you knowing they will get it back.

I suggest, you read his post again! :P
They want 1 year contract AND the money! :shock:

[century451]

Maybe that money is for room and board while they are going to school, not the tuition for the actual training.

[grandpatim]

Yeppers it is for the tuition. The recruiter said it totaled to around 3 grand I would be paying back.

[NevadaJim]

It doesn't sound like you have the whole story. If you're getting paid weekly and they take out $100, that's pretty steep, and expensive training for a company. Other than that, it's normal. Example: Swift charges $3900 to get your CDL. Student pays $150 a month and Swift pays/reimburses you $150 a month. After 13 months the total $3900 is paid off and you owe them nothing. Student paid half, Swift paid half. If you continue with them for another 13 months they continue to pay you $150 a month. What this boils down to is if you stay 26 months the total $3900 is paid for by Swift.

As far as the contract is concerned. Not even sure why they make anyone sign a contract because you can bail out any time you want. You're not an indentured servant, or locked into working for them, like some say. However, understand that if you bail, you owe the remaining balance. Either way, company or on your own, you still owe someone for getting your CDL. Some read the contract as saying you MUST stay with them for so many months. In reality, all the contract means is if you leave before a certain time that you owe the remaining balance. They aren't double billing you. No company can force you to stay.

Either way, if you default, whether on a company or a local school, your credit will take a hit.

[kc0iv]

It doesn't sound like you have the whole story. If you're getting paid weekly and they take out $100, that's pretty steep, and expensive training for a company. Other than that, it's normal. Example: Swift charges $3900 to get your CDL. Student pays $150 a month and Swift pays/reimburses you $150 a month. After 13 months the total $3900 is paid off and you owe them nothing. Student paid half, Swift paid half. If you continue with them for another 13 months they continue to pay you $150 a month. What this boils down to is if you stay 26 months the total $3900 is paid for by Swift.

As far as the contract is concerned. Not even sure why they make anyone sign a contract because you can bail out any time you want. You're not an indentured servant, or locked into working for them, like some say. However, understand that if you bail, you owe the remaining balance. Either way, company or on your own, you still owe someone for getting your CDL. Some read the contract as saying you MUST stay with them for so many months. In reality, all the contract means is if you leave before a certain time that you owe the remaining balance. They aren't double billing you. No company can force you to stay.

Either way, if you default, whether on a company or a local school, your credit will take a hit.

Well said NevadaJim.

kc0iv

[classicxl]

find a some way to pay for your own training so you are not subjugated to any company

[grandpatim]

Thanks guys for the input. I have been researching truck driving for about 2 years now. I've just been waiting for my last kid to graduate high school which will be this summer. I know how most of the training companies work but this was the first one to say that I have to work for a year and also pay back the tuition. They either say work for a year and you owe nothing but you leave in that year and you owe everything. Or you just pay us back out of your pay or leave and pay us what you owe. I have talked to a lot of companies. Me and my wife are planning on teaming so we both need to go to school. And it will be easier and cheaper for us to go the training company route.

And as far as what flyinphoenix had to say, well not everyone that starts out is an idiot. So don't assume that I will be one too. You know what happens when you assume. :twisted: You cannot intimidate me into doing something else. I am a paramedic now and we eat our young too. Only difference is we eat 'em again after we crap em out. So I can handle it.