Questions about getting into trucking

[Roush97]

Hi everyone I'm new to the site and have done some searching around about basic trucking information. I've been looking into trucking since the pay seems to rival most of the better jobs in my area which requires a college degree in Buffalo.

I was looking into trucking since the pay seems to be pretty good, I still live at home, and I don't have any kids. Also the only driving violation I have had is a speeding ticket back in April of 2005.

I just recently visited the National Tractor Trailer School in Buffalo,NY to get some more information. The school seemed very nice there but with a sticker price of around $7,000 for a 7 week school I thought that it was a little steep and wouldn't be able to afford that by my own. I saw that some companies would pay for your training with a commitment to the company after you finish. Is it worth to just somehow pay for the training in your own or go threw a company?

I'm kind of erie about trying to go threw a company since I'm not sure which ones are the "better" ones and wouldn't want to get stuck in a long commitment that is going to make my life horrible but I do realize that I will have to pay my dues. Anyone have any advice really? I'm sorry if this has been covered before. I've tried to search on the forum but there is a lot of information on this board already and it is kind of hard to go threw all of it.

[Evinrude]

Pay is a matter of opinion. My opinion Trucking doesn't pay well when you calculate your time spent at your job, thus the reason for the high turn overrate.

watch this guys video

[ICS]

Roush I am currently in that school that you went and looked at if you want I will give you my number and we can talk about the school. I like the school alot and all that talk about going to an accredited school that they tell isn;t just a bunch of BS. I all ready have a few offers for jobs and I wont be graduating till April. I do however recommend talking the 10 week over the 7 is you can. I am in the 18 week, but that is to long they teach you stuff realistically you will never need, or could get on the road. The only reason that I took the long one was for financial aid. I also found out about some other ways to get it paid for other than through the school. I am excited that I can actually help someone so if you want I would like to give you a students prospective.

[Evinrude]

nope

[ICS]

another thing about paying for the school, is alot of the companies that come to the school to recruit pay back money that you spent on the class. there is a little catch to this that I can explain later.

[GMAN]

You may check around to see if there is a community college or state vocational school that offers a CDL program. If they do, it should be much less expensive than a private school. They will often have access to financial aid. I think you are better off paying for your own schooling, if possible. If that isn't an option, then there are a number of larger carriers who will train you with a work commitment. Most require you to stay for 1 year. Swift, Millis, Schneider, Covenant, U.S. Xpress and Roehl but a few who have training programs. There are some flat bed carriers, such as TMC and Maverick, who also have training programs. Be prepared to stick out your commitment or you will likely be on the hook for several thousand dollars in training costs. Since you are in Buffalo, you may check over at Jim's Truck Stop. Find some drivers to talk with about companies who regularly run in that area. There is a drivers area inside the restaurant. There may be some ads posted somewhere in the room. Good luck.

[LA to Cleveland]

Don't overlook the driver information forum called " Trucking Schools" 10th one down on the list, you might learn about some more of the pros & cons about the trucking shcools that everyone else on the board has gone through.

[Drew10]

Definitly check into the Community Colleges, and Vocational Schools. I went to a Vocational School...was about half the price that National Tractor Trailer quoted you. Was 4 weeks, 5-6 days each week, 8-9 hour days. Also would recommend a PTDI certified school. Will give you better oppurtunities as a student hire.

Check the link for a PTDI school near you:
http://www.ptdi.org/

Most starter companies will pay back you tuition through payroll reimbursment over a period of months.

[ICS]

Definitly check into the Community Colleges, and Vocational Schools. I went to a Vocational School...was about half the price that National Tractor Trailer quoted you. Was 4 weeks, 5-6 days each week, 8-9 hour days. Also would recommend a PTDI certified school. Will give you better oppurtunities as a student hire.

Check the link for a PTDI school near you:
http://www.ptdi.org/

Most starter companies will pay back you tuition through payroll reimbursment over a period of months.

NTTS is PTDI certified
That is one thing I wanted to say about tuition pay back is that it is only good when you first come out. like Swift pays 150 a month but if you quite and go some where else they wont pay it because now you are "experienced" even if you only have been working a few months. so I would find a carrier that pays the most that way if you don't like the job you can stick it out for less time.

[Roush97]

Roush I am currently in that school that you went and looked at if you want I will give you my number and we can talk about the school. I like the school alot and all that talk about going to an accredited school that they tell isn;t just a bunch of BS. I all ready have a few offers for jobs and I wont be graduating till April. I do however recommend talking the 10 week over the 7 is you can. I am in the 18 week, but that is to long they teach you stuff realistically you will never need, or could get on the road. The only reason that I took the long one was for financial aid. I also found out about some other ways to get it paid for other than through the school. I am excited that I can actually help someone so if you want I would like to give you a students prospective.

That would be great if you could. I was looking at the 320 hour course even though they where pushing for longer one. If you could like you could call or send me a txt at 716-799-9586 (It's my cell phone but just ask for Tom). I would really like some input on the program since I'm trying to get my parents to pay for it if I can't get the finical aid.

[Cluggy619]

Another good idea is to check out your nearest employment office- sometimes, if you qualify, they can send you thru training at no cost to you.

Now, I have never seen this, so I don't know what is involved. But I have heard of some drivers who have done it. It's worth checking it out.

[homealone3]

When my husband decided he wanted to try driving we called all the voc. schools in the area. We were quoted quite a range of prices. My husband mentioned to one school he called that he didn't know if he wanted to drive 45 minutes to their school. They said they would offer a discount and they did. They were one of the less expensive schools and then they knocked off $1,000 off the tuition. We were sold. My husband has now been driving for a year and a half.

[repete]

try checking into the driveing school in Batavia NY , I think it's PDI and if so Used to be thur Monroe community collage. In Roch. it's $4000. for 4 weeks but I heard the Batavia location was cheaper.
STAY AWAY from the companys that "pay " for your school, you end up being a slave to them for a year or more

[ICS]

Roush I am currently in that school that you went and looked at if you want I will give you my number and we can talk about the school. I like the school alot and all that talk about going to an accredited school that they tell isn;t just a bunch of BS. I all ready have a few offers for jobs and I wont be graduating till April. I do however recommend talking the 10 week over the 7 is you can. I am in the 18 week, but that is to long they teach you stuff realistically you will never need, or could get on the road. The only reason that I took the long one was for financial aid. I also found out about some other ways to get it paid for other than through the school. I am excited that I can actually help someone so if you want I would like to give you a students prospective.

That would be great if you could. I was looking at the 320 hour course even though they where pushing for longer one. If you could like you could call or send me a txt at 716-799-9586 (It's my cell phone but just ask for Tom). I would really like some input on the program since I'm trying to get my parents to pay for it if I can't get the finical aid.

If you still live at home then you are not going to get the financial aid probably. As far as the guy saying to stay away from the companies the pay for your schooling I disagree I would stay away from the ones that pay for it in exchange for a year or so of service but the ones that pay back your out of pocket isn't bad at all. Most anyhow I will give you a call on Monday. I don't know anything about the school in Batavia. Just make sure that it is PTDI certified if it isn't you are just going to have a harder time finding a good job.

[Roush97]

Roush I am currently in that school that you went and looked at if you want I will give you my number and we can talk about the school. I like the school alot and all that talk about going to an accredited school that they tell isn;t just a bunch of BS. I all ready have a few offers for jobs and I wont be graduating till April. I do however recommend talking the 10 week over the 7 is you can. I am in the 18 week, but that is to long they teach you stuff realistically you will never need, or could get on the road. The only reason that I took the long one was for financial aid. I also found out about some other ways to get it paid for other than through the school. I am excited that I can actually help someone so if you want I would like to give you a students prospective.

That would be great if you could. I was looking at the 320 hour course even though they where pushing for longer one. If you could like you could call or send me a txt at 716-799-9586 (It's my cell phone but just ask for Tom). I would really like some input on the program since I'm trying to get my parents to pay for it if I can't get the finical aid.

If you still live at home then you are not going to get the financial aid probably. As far as the guy saying to stay away from the companies the pay for your schooling I disagree I would stay away from the ones that pay for it in exchange for a year or so of service but the ones that pay back your out of pocket isn't bad at all. Most anyhow I will give you a call on Monday. I don't know anything about the school in Batavia. Just make sure that it is PTDI certified if it isn't you are just going to have a harder time finding a good job.

I probably won't but my dad didn't work last year and my mom is on social security disability so I might have a chance.

[fuelman]

Yes, check with the employment office for a possible state funded school.
A guy I drive fuel tankers with is married and has 6 kids and was on welfare and the state of california put him through school and now he's making 70k a year.(took him bout 8 years)

Thought it was a great story of someone with really no future turning it around with a little help and is now a productive tax paying american.

Peace Out,
Fuelman 8) 8)

[fuelman]

Also, you CAN get your CDL for much less, I only paid 1500 dollars here in California. Yes it was pretty much a bare bones school and was hired with a OTR company right away(CRST), so it is possible.

Peace Out,
Fuelman 8) 8)