Question:
I am trying to decide on how to get my CDL. What would be the better deal, going through a school such as Roadmaster or MTC or signing on with a company for their trianing (Swift, Schnieder, US Express, ect.)? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Answer:
I only had one choice. I contracted with CRST thru a school (C-1). I don't have the money to pay for the education these companies require and besides that, they will contract me for 1 year. I have to get experience from somewhere. Why not?
Now if I can just get over the fear of driving...
I start classes on Jan 26 in Strafford Missouri.

Answer:
Originally posted by jlh9375:
I am trying to decide on how to get my CDL. What would be the better deal, going through a school such as Roadmaster or MTC or signing on with a company for their trianing (Swift, Schnieder, US Express, ect.)? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
MTC will rip you off, they are a divison of Prime!!!
Roadmaster is a decent school in most states but, look closely before you choose, not all schools are the same. I honestly recommend you go and get you own schooling and blow company schools off. I am doing the company thing right now and am locked in to a 1 year agreement. Something to think about if you which companies, you'll end up having to pay them back if you go before your year is up.
Hey, if life throws you a curve ball, try and take a swing at it. Who knows what might happen

Answer:
I see your from Ohio, I am also, Cincinnati, Oh area. I as you once persued a career as a truck driver, the one thing i found out thur other people mistakes is that you do not and i mean donot want to get indebited to a trucking company, like signing the next 3 to 5 years of your life away to that company just because you do not have the money to pay for your schooling and slaveing for them just because they sent you thur their cdl mill. I was luck enough to go thur truck driving school on my own, got a driving job at swift in april 2003 had a small and i mean small accident first week out solo, then another real small accident about 3 months down the road then finaly the clincher another small accident after 9 months for them. To set the record straight all of the accidents totaled together added up to less than $2000.00. So after my 3rd accident Swift fired me, well if Swift had sent me thur their driving school they would want their money back for the schooling. and by the way I thank them (SWIFT) everyday for firing me, I got a real job, more money, less hours and I'm home with my family every night, I have paid holidays and I have respect. Think long and think hard, theres not much glory out there on the highway. Money wise plan on $9.00 to $10.00 an hour average if the dispatcher and driver manager likes you.

Answer:
Hey jlh9375 I am in school right now at All State Career in Philly. It was the best thing I could have done it's a 24 week program. 10 class/14 range and road. I feel like I learned more about the laws, logs, and stuff in that ten weeks than I would have ever learn for a company. Then while on the range your there to learn the skills and yo get as much time and help as you need. You will still have a lot to learn when you leave, but there is always more to be learnt. And I'm not in debt to any trucking companies for any time at all, except for the experience I'll need
Good luck with whatever you decide
you got to stroke it to cum itSpecializing in marine repairs: Inboard, Outboard, and I/O's.
Local and long distance hauling available.

Answer:
Your best bet would be to find a program offered through a stae accredited community or technical college. The tuition is usually lower and the program must meet certain state criteria. (You won't be going to a CDL mill.)
Your second best bet would be to call some carriers you would like to work for and ask for their recommendations for schools in your area.
I would avoid going to a company sponsored school unless you have no other choice.
I've always been crazy, but it's kept me from going insane.
Waylon Jennings

Answer:
Well there Ed Bean, 3 accidents in 9 months. Swift did us all a favor. I'd fire you too. Take some of your advise and go back to school!!!!!

Answer:
or if you can get a grant to pay for it then I highly reccomend finding yourself a good private school or program and going that route. As mentioned before you then are not indebted to any specific trucking company for anywhere from 1 to 3 years depending on the contract you sign if you have the trucking company finance your schooling. (and some of these will require payment of the full tuition if you quit before your contract is fulfilled even if you are down to the last month or 2)
Which ever way you decide to go DO NOT take out a personal loan to attend driving school.
I will always be a mutter trucker at heart.
Answer:
Whichever way you decide to go, just put everything you have into getting the most out of the training. As stated earlier in this post, there are good and bad training schools. But when it boils down to it, it's what you put into learning everything you can while being trained that is going to give you the best results.
Good luck!!
Unka_D
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Answer:
I read a post a short time ago that mentioned this company.
www.tdt-ok.com
The cost is lower if you become an OK. citizen, which the operator at the school said consists of getting a P.O. box, staying overnight in a hotel, and then going in for a driver's license.
The school puts you into a 2 bedroom duplex, where you share the common areas with another student.
I HAVE NOT BEEN THERE. Check into it some more, but it sounds pretty good.
Good luck, Marv.