I know most all trucking companies want you to go to work with in 30 days of completing school, or you have to go back to school. I was just wondering about that 30 days. If you hire on with a company can you select a start date? Like a typical job where you tell them, " I need to give my current employer 2-weeks notice" kind of thing. My dilemma is that my family has planned a trip to Disney World this year. The vacation date is flexible but was originally set for Sept., nothing has been finalized because of the "hoop jumping" trying to get the WIA Grant. I am also tentative on a April 4th CDL school start date. I have already spoken to the Operations Manager at the company I would most want to work for and asked about taking 10 days off (unpaid) for a preplanned trip within 6 months of starting with them. She said that would be fine just remind her with a month or better notice, it would be no problem. But that job is not guaranteed and I am sure not all companies would like that. So would it be possible/smarter to take the vacation in that 30 days after completing school? I plan on getting the pre-hires and such during school for several companies. WIA and start date for school are not finalized either. Then also in the back of my mind the WIA lady always reminding me that if funding runs out it would be after July before I could try again. Just trying to keep the wife and kids happy. Look forward to the responses as always I appreciate the valuable input all your experience holds. Be safe out there

Here is something to keep in mind. Lets say you get to orientation and something happens where you get sent home, ie you have protien in your urine sample, and it takes a week to see your doctor and another week to get orientation rescheduled.

Well if you miss that 30 day deadline you may very well be SOL with them. This happened to a friend of mine who cut it a little to close and then had a few issues during the physical.

Most companies will not have a big problem with you taking a week of unpaid leave, but you will most likely have to turn the truck into a terminal and clean it out and you may or may not get the same truck back afterwards.

Communication is a big key to success in this biz. Never wait until the last moment to tell your fleet manager when you need something, and never tell them just once.

Thanks Uturn you bring up a good point, I would not have thought of. I appreciate your input. I was hoping to get more response so as to see how the different companies view the 7-10 days off within the first few months. :shock:

If you have a license after completing school then...well I dont know what companies want.... but at least you have gone to school and are licensed.

Please explain the the "hoops" and the "wia".

Amso, I guess different states have different rules.

actually, I remember reading some your previous posts, believe it or not

I still wonder what the "hoops" are. Its none of my business, but are you committing to work for a company, ect...

Hoops for WIA are the following to name a few

Financial Disclosure forms
paperwork between DHS and WIA
Computer applications
sitting thru class
forms
more forms
waiting
deadlines for WIA
deadlines for truck school (applications, requirements, etc)
etc
etc
And I am just getting into it so I am sure their will be more

So it isnt as like a Pell Grant.

The classes you have gone through are to explain the wia?
Just what does the wia expect of you, in terms of commitment ect?
Again, it's none of my business, I am just curious. And it might be useful information to others.

Here is a good link to the Workforce Investment Act of 1998. From here you can read the actual Act documents and will have an opportunity to link to other sources of information.

"Workforce Investment Act of 1998" http://www.doleta.gov/regs/statutes/wialaw.txt

Long time no see Sentinel. Hope all is well.