What is WIA? someone help a new guy out here.. maybe I qualify for it? Im trying to get into a company sponsored training. I am currently unemployed and I want to get my cdl as cheap as possible. I am all but broke right now. I take that back I am broke! But I really want to get my CDL and get on the road. ANY TIPS????

havicks29 wrote:

Check with your local unemployment office. Many states have funding available to retrain unemployed individuals like yourself. If not there is a good chance they can point you in the right direction.

There are a number of trucking companies that will train you free of charge also. But they will expect you to work for them, usually for at least a year or you will be back charged for the cost of the schooling.

I have a WIA orientation next week! :P

i went to foodlink. i was paid UI while there.
it was long (16 weeks).
i did discover that Gordon Trucking did not accept Foodlink as an accreditied school.

still not bad for 169 dollars plus $94 for hazprints.
all $ was paid to third partied ( DMV, Physical, Drug test and Hazprints)

you do a little volunteer work while at school. like picking up and delivering food in small box trucks. this was easy and only 1 or twice a wekk during your 7-12th week.
13th- 15th week was driving sleeper trucks with 48 foot trailers as a student driver with CO. drivers training you.
the 16th week was a job finding week and you really didnt have to show up.
i would recommenrd foodlink to anyone who has the means to survive during the 16 weeks.
it was a good program and there is no tuition or obligation.

i will say, there is a unique mix of student, both young and old, male and female, from ALL walks of life. be prepared to tolerate diversity

Can you post a little information about the school. Like the school schedule, etc? I saw on there website that they don't do weekends or night classes.

we attended class m-f 8 am to 4:30 pm. but we always left around 4:00.

no weekends, no nights. orientation is every monday @ 1:30 pm at the army depot off fruitridge and florin perkins.

some guys had night jobs while attending. many of us had alternate means off support while in school. like EDD, spouses, savings, etc, etc.

you will DOT drug test the first week so BE CLEAN!!! because a dirty test @ foodlink will screw you all up because it goes on DOT file. not saying it will be a problem for you. but the new classes usually lose 1 or 2 guys due to drug testing.

DOT physical is a breeze. you take so many practice test to prepare for DMV test , that you'd have to be a moron to fail.

you will test for all endorsements. doubles, tankers, passenger and hazmat. but they make it EZ to pass.

also forklift, CPR and first aid certified.

you are definitly gonna know if Truck driving is for you or not without risking thousands in trucking school.

with 6 weeks of local OTR driving internship, you get to drive foodlinks trucks usually 100-500 mile trips with a company driver training you.

the trucks are sleeper trucks with 48 ft trailers. so no wussy trucks to drive in. you get right down to it.

hope this helps. BOL.

Guy's please watch where you get your CDL from sure U can get a cdl in a week but you will not get the training you need to really drive the truck plus no real company is going to hire you if you got your CDL from a CDL mill.Spend the money get the training you need for your safety as well as those on the road with you.

I coulda got my CDL in a week?

Hope you get this slider, but I live here in Missouri and have been thinking about getting into trucking. Where on earth are these schools here in Missouri, and is anybody going to take you serious looking for a job when you tell them that is where you got your CDL?