Quote:
Originally Posted by SoulRacer
What could I expect to make as a beginning driver if I get my CDL myself and get on with a company that hires new grads.? Is the pay much different?
Well SR, if there is any way to finance your driver training without being on a company sponsored program..............by all means do it.
Check out the vo-tech schools for grants and assistance. Veteran assistance. Pell grants. Workforce Investment Grants. They are all out there. You just have to get out and overturn some stones.
If you can get your CDL on your own, you can forgo these coolie style (.25) wages that these companies are going to pay you as you pay them back.
Try to separate your method of financing and schooling from OH SO GREAT company that will be holding a hell of a lot of money over your head if you are to fail. Remember, your failure could be as simple as backing over a pole, etc etc.
This entire C-1 Driver Solutions is in bed with these carriers USA,PAM, and Star I believe. Driver solutions has no problem training you for $6000.00 and then sending you on over to USA Truck................where SURPRISE!!!!! We don't have much or any freight for you! HUH! You say, The trucking economy really really really sucks right now, Schneider is only taking experienced drivers. I can't remember the last time that I saw Schneider do that.
Yet, since C-1 is comfortably in bed with USA Truck, PAM and Star. C-! can crank the students out because they are being paid well to do so. (either by those companies themselves.........or most likely (in my opinion) by chasing down those that do not make the grade and suddenly find themselves the proud owner of a 6-8000 loan at astronomical interest. I've seen how C-1 works in this situation of a breeched/default contract. They are pros at collecting their money, some of the best that I have ever seen. I sat in one of their orientation classes a few years back. Along with the various and sundry paperwork that was required to be signed.......
They (C-1) upfront have you sign a letter of garnishment to be presented to wherever/whoever/however your next employer may be.
C-1 has it down to an art. I walked away after the first day, as it was more apparent to me that they were dotting all of the i's and crossing the t's to be sure that you were absolutely traceble upon default of your loan. Maybe somebody on here will come on and back up my story. That whole first day is an intense roll through of what you are signing, what exactly will happen if you default etc. And then you sign, and then you sign, and then you sign, sign, and well.....sign some more, after you sign a few more forms.
It doesn't take the brightest spark to realize that basically we are in the midst of signing off on how C-1 will effectively recoup their money with the truck driver training somehow becoming an after thought during this stint.
It's the
BIG TIME HARD SELL, SR. Proceed with caution, as once you sign, these people have ironclad contracts. They have been doing this way too many years to be outwitted very often.
Most will say that this is not the way to enter the industry. I agree. Although it bears pointing out that I did the same thing with CRST back in '05 and walked away just fine.(6 month contract running team).
In closing.............just think about what you are wanting from the whole experience. $25,000 annual and leaving home, family, friends, hobbies behind is something that deserves deep and honest thought on your part.
Going out of two weeks at a time, and then getting 2 days off..............................................u mmmmmmmmmmmm Pardon me folks!!! But that is basically giving your life up to the road. All of your life basically gone for $25.000 annually. Ask some of these seasoned road fellows how much 25K leaves after living the road expenses?
BOL, SR!!! Sounds like you needed some experienced words there. You will make the right choice for sure. It's always easier to do so when you've done the proper research. BOL