Why do so many drivers go through companies instead of schoo
#1
Rookie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 27
After reading lots of post of new or soon to be drivers like my self. Got to wondering why so many in the us go through companies for their cdls instead of school. Now like i said im not a driver let so please don't jump all over me. But here in canada i think most go through schools like i did my self if i was thinking about going through a company i better be trained on a manual and not a auto because in the end you still have to pay them one way or another and being trainer just on a auto is not realy going to help you much when you decided to move on. but not having been trained on a manual theres less options for you right.Now i understand that some can't afford school but i could not either i saved my money and went to a great school and was trained on a 13 speed so im wondering why is it because they don't want to wait.
#2
Senior Board Member
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Whitehorse, Yukon
Posts: 522
You said it yourself. Money. No money up front required.
Seems many people get into trucking after having had a hard time doing something else and are feeling a money crunch. Company training, problem solved. (Hopefully I guess, depending on the company.)
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#4
Board Regular
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 284
When I got out of the Marines, I called about an ad for a company in the paper providing cdl training. I could start with them for free, even got a sign on bonus, or wait 9 months for the next class at the local vo-tech school to start and have to pay for it. This was in 1995, so boards like this weren't available for advice. I would do it that way again if I had too. A buddy of mine went through school with Millis last year, got his license and is still with them. I put in my 1 year to the day with my company and moved on into LTL where the $$$ is alot better. Why pay $5,000 for school when you can get it for free? Without at least a year of experience, only the big training companies will hire you anyway, Werner, Swift, Schneider, Etc, from what i have seen.
#5
Rookie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 27
i may have another problem my self and thats if companies pay low during trainning because just about all the big companies are 40min to 1 hour one way and with car payments and gas i may have to wait my self.but im hoping i don't have to wait to long .
#6
Board Regular
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Lynnwood, WA.
Posts: 249
I can't speak for everyone. But I know I personally couldn't afford to plop out $3800.00 - $4500.00 for a 6-8 week course.
I have a friend who's hoping like heck that one of the local schools in this area will offer some type of financing.
#7
Senior Board Member
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: tennesse
Posts: 738
Originally Posted by Splitter
I can't speak for everyone. But I know I personally couldn't afford to plop out $3800.00 - $4500.00 for a 6-8 week course.
I have a friend who's hoping like heck that one of the local schools in this area will offer some type of financing.
#8
Board Regular
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Lynnwood, WA.
Posts: 249
I just went down to Check Ride services with a friend today. he asked them If they had financing for CDL training? The reply we got was a little shocking to say the least. The course is $3995.00 if you pay for it yourself.
If you finance in house, the price jumps up to $5200.00 and it's only 4 weeks. M-F 8-5
#9
Rookie
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 44
I am in school now at Crowder College transport training and a major trucking company paid a large portion of my tuition and I do not have to sign a contract to work for the company for 1 or 2 years.
#10
Board Regular
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 245
I think economics is a primary reason.
But also, and especially, if the company is also an authorized third party tester, then it's going to be easier and psychologically smoother to pass the test and really "impossible to fail" if you know what i'm trying to say. I still feel going to school on your own is the better idea. |

