Looking to start my taining with Roadmaster.

[sidewinderf16]

I'm looking to start my CDL training with Roadmaster here in Orlando, FL. I will be moving to Ohio soon after I begin driving.
I want to know if Roadmaster is a good school, and what to expect. If any of you have received your training through Roadmaster and would like to share a little of your experience there, I would really like to read about it.
Thanks in advance.

[teamster]

I am just curious why you are moving to Ohio and where. Depending on where you go jobs could be hard to come by.

[Sealord]

You need to look into getting your initial driver training at a community college such as FCCJ in Jacksonville (Kent Campus/Cecil Commerce Center) or Bradford-Union in Starke. You'll get better training for less money. If you're moving to Ohio, you may be ahead of the game to try C-1, I think they have a campus in Ohio. Why pay twice for the license, yes, there will be a cost to transfer your CDL. BOL

[Mpneypit]

I am just curious why you are moving to Ohio and where. Depending on where you go jobs could be hard to come by.

It will be a lot easier to get on with a company living in ohio rather than living in florida.

[RumRunner]

Do yourself a HUGE favor and give consideration to Sealord's advice regarding Bradford-Union Vo-Tech. Having gone through their program 2 years ago, I can say from first-hand experience that it is a TOP NOTCH school!

In an effort to find a universally understood analogy, let's assume we all enjoy a cool, refreshing adult beverage on occasion. That said, why would anyone pay $6 for a six-pack of Milwaukee's Best when you can go up the road and get a 12-pack of Budweiser for $1.60? How about that Budweiser for FREE! Have I lost anyone yet? Well, here's the deal:

If my memory serves correctly, at Roadmaster you get a 160 hour course for around $5,000 (or is it $6,000?). At Bradford-Union, you get 320 hours for $1600. Think 160 hours is enough? Some may argue it's plenty. I simply can not imagine having achieved the same level of proficiency in a 160 hour course that I did at Bradford-Union. We weren't rushed to complete any objective, and there were NO shortcuts. For example, take the off-site driving (actually on the road). I believe it was a 1000 mile per student requirement. Both schools claim to deliver it. I've heard that some of the 3-4 week wonders will put as many as 4 students in the truck at a time and go 1,000 miles, each student driving 250 miles. Everyone in the truck gets credit for the 1,000 miles on the premise that they can learn as much watching another student drive as they can actually in the driver's seat. We each got the 1,000 miles in the driver's seat (2 students in the truck at a time). So if you subscribe to their theory, we actually got 2,000 miles experience No doubt about it, you get a lot more for your money with the Vo-Tech program.

One other bit of info: When I went through the school, they were handing out grant money for tuition to everyone who signed up. Don't know what the source was, but what I do know is that I didn't pay a dime in tuition for the course, nor did anyone in my class, or the class before and after mine. They were trying to use up the last of it for the year (a use it or lose it scenario), and the only requirement to receive the grant was filling out a 30 second questionaire, the contents of which were essentially basic CDL requirements. Didn't even have to demonstrate need (I was actually stilll drawing active duty military pay for the duration of the course). Definitely look into this before committing to Roadmaster. Even without the grant, it's still a much better deal.

Also, it seems I rememmber the staff mentioning there was another Vo-Tech program in Orlando, but I may be mistaken. Might be worth looking into. As it's a state school (part of the public school system), tuition, curriculum, and policy would be the same.

Feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions regarding Bradford Union. They have a good website, or I can give you the contact info.

[Useless]

SidewinderF16:

First off, Welcome To CAD !!

I attended "RoadMaster Wholesale Freight Relocation University" a number of years ago. It's a CDL Diploma Mill; Okay, I suppose. They kept their word, and did for me what they said they would do. No complaints.

If you can get training through your local community college, you would be far better off. You will quite likely receive more hours of training, and you may save a considerable amount of money in the process.

I'm not trying to be the infernal pessimist here, but you should be ready to enter a very difficult market. I was talking to some drivers today, and they were talking about hauling a load, and then waiting two or three days to get another one...... and these were older, very experienced drivers with excellent records!!

I've been out of driving for several years now, and while I knew times for truckers were hard, I didn't realize just how bad they were!!

BOL2U !!

[Daytripper]

Mid-Florida Tech in Orlando has a nice program, costs $2050. It is an 8 week program, with over 1000 hours of OTR driving. Mid Florida Tech is part of the Orange County School System (2900 Oak Ridge Road, Orlando).

[Daytripper]

Forgot to mention, Mid Florida Tech is also a 320 hour clock-hour course, including over 1000 miles of OTR driving practice.

[sidewinderf16]

I want to thank you all for taking the time to help me out. The reason that I'm considering Roadmaster is because they have a weekend program that allows me to keep my current job as an Automation Tech at the Orlando International Airport, and it is close to me. They also said that they will guarantee a job when I graduate with companies such as Covenant etc...

I am moving to Lorain Ohio which is just east of Cleveland. I am a single parent of a thirteen year old girl who I've raise since she was three, and her mother lives in Lorain. Over the past few years my daughter has become more attached to her mom during some recent visits, and so her mom and I have worked it out for my daughter to live with her mom again.

As you know, good paying jobs aren't in abundance in that area (Lorain, OH) except for Truck Driving. For this reason, I have chosen to make Trucking my new career. Besides, I really like the outdoors and what better way to enjoy it.

I am going to check out these schools that you guys mentioned as soon as I'm done with this post. I would prefer to receive great training at a lesser cost, but I really would like to hold on to my current job, if possible, until I finish my training and can lock down a new job.

Again, thanks for the great advice. I'll keep you guys posted.

Sidewinder

[heavyhaulerss]

I want to thank you all for taking the time to help me out. The reason that I'm considering Roadmaster is because they have a weekend program that allows me to keep my current job as an Automation Tech at the Orlando International Airport, and it is close to me. They also said that they will guarantee a job when I graduate with companies such as Covenant etc...

Sidewinder

I'll ask before someone else does... you have a job as a automation tech & you want to go into truck driving at this time? guarantee a job at places like covenant? have you read the post by a covenant drivers wife who just posted last week that her hubby & is not getting loads & is not doing well at all? best of luck to you my friend.

[heavyhaulerss]

New driver (covenant) not getting freight - can anyone advise?

[Snowman7]

I understand why you would want your daughter to be close to her mother. Quitting a good job for trucking is risky though. Jobs up here right now are hard to come by but it wont always be that way (we hope not anyway). Getting a guaranteed job offer from Covenant shouldnt be a factor in choosing a school. They arent that hard to get on with and you could do better anyway. I live about 20 minutes from Lorain so feel free to ask or even PM when the job search begins. BTW it looks like you served in the USAF from your screen name. I was an electronic countermeasure technician on F4's. Yeah, it was a few years ago, LOL. Spent time at Keesler and Seymour Johnson.

[Sealord]

Snowman7
electronic countermeasure technician on F-4's I was a Navy shipboard electronic warfare type, was it just F-4s or Wild Weasels you worked on? BOL

[Ridge Runner]

I hate for the way this is going to sound ...... but.... Your training starts here.

[Useless]

I'll ask before someone else does... you have a job as a automation tech & you want to go into truck driving at this time? guarantee a job at places like covenant? have you read the post by a covenant drivers wife who just posted last week that her hubby & is not getting loads & is not doing well at all? best of luck to you my friend.

What "HeavyHaulerss" Said!!

Seriously Sidewinder, you REALLLLLY ought to give this entire matter some very serious thought before you make a commitment involving several thousands of dollars to "RoadMaster Wholesale Freight Relocation University", or before deciding to leave your present job to go into trucking at this time.

Two years ago, driving jobs were out there for the asking, and even the less than desirable drivers could find work. Those days are now in the past, and it's anyone's guess when they will return.

One factor you need to give extremely serious thought to is cash flow. With a 13 y/o daughter, I'm presuming that you will be paying child support, and in some states (Texas, among others) in the cases of divorce, the father is legally required to provide health insurance for a child.

You are talking about entering an industry that is already hurting very badly, where your weekly and monthly cash flow will be extremely erratic. As I told you last night, I have just learned how difficult times are for very highly experienced drivers with excellent track records. You would be coming in as a total noob. Starting off as a rookie will make things even more difficult for you.

Companies like Swift, Schnieder, Werner, CRST, Prime, JB Hunt, and (God Forbid) CR England, as well as many other carriers, have never been the best companies to drive for, and while the recruiters are good at making promises, you'll quickly find that they tend to suffer from what is known as "TDS". (Truth Deficit Syndrome) Covenant has long had a reputation for making nice promises regarding miles, but not exactly keeping their word.

Seriously, Sidewinder, you need to re-think this whole idea before making any kind of move.

BOL2U!!

[sidewinderf16]

I understand why you would want your daughter to be close to her mother. Quitting a good job for trucking is risky though. Jobs up here right now are hard to come by but it wont always be that way (we hope not anyway). Getting a guaranteed job offer from Covenant shouldnt be a factor in choosing a school. They arent that hard to get on with and you could do better anyway. I live about 20 minutes from Lorain so feel free to ask or even PM when the job search begins. BTW it looks like you served in the USAF from your screen name. I was an electronic countermeasure technician on F4's. Yeah, it was a few years ago, LOL. Spent time at Keesler and Seymour Johnson.

Yes, I was a weapons troop on the F-16 station at Shaw AFB, SC.
I'll be sure to look you up when I begin job searching.

[sidewinderf16]

What "HeavyHaulerss" Said!!

Seriously Sidewinder, you REALLLLLY ought to give this entire matter some very serious thought before you make a commitment involving several thousands of dollars to "RoadMaster Wholesale Freight Relocation University", or before deciding to leave your present job to go into trucking at this time.

Two years ago, driving jobs were out there for the asking, and even the less than desirable drivers could find work. Those days are now in the past, and it's anyone's guess when they will return.

One factor you need to give extremely serious thought to is cash flow. With a 13 y/o daughter, I'm presuming that you will be paying child support, and in some states (Texas, among others) in the cases of divorce, the father is legally required to provide health insurance for a child.

You are talking about entering an industry that is already hurting very badly, where your weekly and monthly cash flow will be extremely erratic. As I told you last night, I have just learned how difficult times are for very highly experienced drivers with excellent track records. You would be coming in as a total noob. Starting off as a rookie will make things even more difficult for you.

Companies like Swift, Schnieder, Werner, CRST, Prime, JB Hunt, and (God Forbid) CR England, as well as many other carriers, have never been the best companies to drive for, and while the recruiters are good at making promises, you'll quickly find that they tend to suffer from what is known as "TDS". (Truth Deficit Syndrome) Covenant has long had a reputation for making nice promises regarding miles, but not exactly keeping their word.

Seriously, Sidewinder, you need to re-think this whole idea before making any kind of move.

BOL2U!!

I understand the concern, and I appreciate the advice, but there just isn't work of my kind in the Lorain Area. The closest I could find was in Chicago's O'Hare Airport.
Just so you know, my job involves working on Passenger Boarding Bridges, Conveyor systems, and Baggage Scales. I currently make twenty dollars p/hour. This is why I am looking at enrolling with Roadmaster; they allow me to keep my job while I train for my CDL. Not Many Options for Me!

[sidewinderf16]

Mid-Florida Tech in Orlando has a nice program, costs $2050. It is an 8 week program, with over 1000 hours of OTR driving. Mid Florida Tech is part of the Orange County School System (2900 Oak Ridge Road, Orlando).

I checked out Mid-Florida Tech, and one of the instructors explained that classes are currently full through the end of April. He also agreed with you guys that the training is better. And you were right, the cost is only $2051.00 for everything. Thanks for the info anyways. All of you guy's help has been really useful for me. I hope that others that are in my situation can take away something from our conversations.

Thanks!

Sidewinder

[Useless]

I understand the concern, and I appreciate the advice, but there just isn't work of my kind in the Lorain Area. The closest I could find was in Chicago's O'Hare Airport.
Just so you know, my job involves working on Passenger Boarding Bridges, Conveyor systems, and Baggage Scales. I currently make twenty dollars p/hour. This is why I am looking at enrolling with Roadmaster; they allow me to keep my job while I train for my CDL. Not Many Options for Me!

SideWinderF16:

It's your life, and it's up to you what you do with it. Having said that, the stakes here are very high. Do yourself a huge favor. Go out and visit some truck stops, even if you have to travel a distance to get to them. Rather than relying upon what RM tells you or what a recruiter tells you, go talk to some of the drivers. Better yet, go sit at the coffee counter, and just listen to other drivers talking. Unless things have changed drastically, you'll hear some pretty wild tales; some of them may even be believable, and a few of them may even be true!!



Seriously, though: Talk to drivers who are currently facing the troubles we are describing, and as long as they are not pinched for time, most will be happy to fill you in.

There is only so much we can offer you here. Quite honestly, I don't think you really understand the complete dimensions of the troubles or the problems you will be facing. I realize that there are some serious distance concerns regarding your daughter, but you are talking about moving to a part of the country that (truth be told) is in more of a depression that it is a recession. The same appears to be true for the trucking industry; not only at the local level, but also on a nationwide scale.

Once again, I do wish you the very best!!

[GMAN]

Sidewinderf16, I understand your motivation in wanting to please you daughter by moving her closer to her mother. I would ask why your daughter's mother could not move closer to where you and your daughter live? It would be much easier for her to move than you and your daughter. Your daughter is established in school and would leave her friends to move to where her mother resides. You would also need to leave a good paying job. This is not the best time to be making major changes. Jobs are not as plentiful as they were only a few months ago. If you have a good job I suggest you delay your move until the economy improves. Freight is down dramatically as are freight rates. Carriers are having to cut costs in any way they can. Many are going out of business. I am not trying to discourage you from doing what you want but would have you step back and take a look at the realities of what is going on in this country. As others have pointed out you are moving to a very depressed part of the country. This is the first time in many years when we have seen this part of the country in such a depressed state. In fact, I don't recall the economy being down so much in my lifetime. If you are planning on driving over the road it may be easier to live in one of the "rust belt" states when the economy is strong, but with the economy being low it may be more difficult to get home and you will likely be doing much more sitting. Everyone that I know is sitting much more than usual. You need to take a reality check as to your financial needs and whether this industry could support those needs with the current economy. If your daughter wants to spend more time with her mother then perhaps she could either go spend the summers with her or even move to where her mother lives by herself. You need to look at this realistically. Your income will likely drop at least in the near term. If you do decide to proceed then I would echo what some others have mentioned about finding a community college or state vocational school to get your training and CDL. It costs much less than a private school and you will get as good if not better training. They will also assist you in finding a driving position.