Schools
 

I have read several posts about people going to various driving schools starting with a lot of people in the class and by the end most are gone. Since I am thinking about doing this it concerns me greatly. Can some people let me know why most of these people are getting kicked or quitting from schools?

Thanks
Red

A lot of people end up quiting because they are having a tough time mastering the material. Backing and shifting tends to be the two toughest areas for students to learn. If you are taking one of the short 3 week courses, it is real easy to fall behind the class if you don't pick up on things quickly. The key is to not give up. If you ask for extra help, the school will provide it to you.

What school are you interested in attending. Some are better than others and you will get a better education before you start training with a company

I don't know what school to go to yet, still in research stage. If anyone knows of a good school in the Ohio Michigan or Indiana area I would like to hear about them.

Thanks
Red

For the best options after you finish school, go to one that is at least 160 hours long and is PTDI certified.

http://www.ptdi.org/schools/schools.htm

reply to Redlight on school research
 

You may find that the web site: www.CareerOneStop.Org/WiaProviderSearch.Asp may provide you with some additional information. If you are interested in a particular company, you can telephone the company and ask them if they accept grads from a particular school. A few companies will not accept anyone not from a PTDI certified course.

Drops/Kicks
 

"schools starting with a lot of people in the class and by the end most are gone" Most of the sorting is done in the first week what with blown drug tests, undisclosed criminal records and unresolved traffic tickets of the students. Fewer go by the wayside academically or are lost to inability to grasp the skills. Many students self sort due to not listening to instructors and thinking they "know everything". They are usually males. Females are usually very good due to never having driven a stick and willingness to listen to instructors. They are also usually better because they use their brain and not brawn, a very good example why a human was given two ears and one mouth. Go ladies! BOL

I'm starting on Monday morning with Roadmaster. Roadmaster is pretty expensive from what I've seen $5995 or $4995 if you pay up front.

I decided to go with them for several reasons, their Tampa facility is 5 minutes from my house, their next class was staring very soon and was graduating a couple days prior to Christmas. Dec 22. And calling around to various trucking companies, a lot have their orientation starting on 12/26, 12/27, or 1/1. All important factors to ME.

Roadmaster has a facility in Indianapolis. Their website is:
http://www.roadmaster.com/truck-school-locations.asp

I'm not endorsing them, only providing some info that may be helpful. I'd be happy to tell you how it goes if you wanna shoot me a pm.

GL

Dok

Junior Colleges
 

I'm going to a junior college in Ohio, Clark State for my CDL.

It meets the hour certification stated above, but I can't say I've ever heard anyone mention this certification before. There is only one truck school in the state of Ohio that is certified.

As far as I know, all companies accept the training from my school. I'll ask Monday if this is the case.

BTW - Clark state has you pass the physical and drug test, reviews your MVR, and requires you to pass the tests for your permit before you show up for class. We have 12 in the class and no one has been disqualified.

I went through a community college for my CDL , and asked if they were certified having heard to make sure the school is , and was told by the dept. head that the program exceeded the certification requirements and that being the fact they saw no reason to pay for the certification. By the number of carriers that came to school, called looking for drivers, and the fact most students had a job at the end, the schools reputation might be as important as certification. I think a little research you should be able to get a feel about the schools rep. and most community colleges programs are a bargain

Re: Junior Colleges
 

Hey, luke that's where I went. Graduated back in Feb. Lots of Shady stuff goes on with the controllers of the program. But, all in all they are a state school and the instructors are very qualified.

My classroom was Ron "In any given situation" Talbot(if you have him, you'll know what I mean). Good instructor, very knowledgeable about the industry, unfortunately sometimes though from a large company stand point. If you talk to him correctly he will tell you a few "driver secrets" if you will. He was once an O/O so knows a few tricks.

Tom Dugan is another instructor I had. The only thing I can say about him is Wow. Ask him about his "Tequila" story. Another very knowledgeable instructor. A little eccentric, but different is good. He's not as conservative as Ron so will be a lot more open about his past driving experience.

Fish, Terry, Bud and Guido(no longer there) were my main yard/road instructors. Ron the last month.

Anyway, pm me if you want to talk more.

Oh yeah, one important thing, Clark state is pretty much a CDL mill. They teach you what you need to know to pass the test. That's it. You are gauranteed to pass the class. The only way you are going to really learn how to be a driver is to listen, ask and do what they tell you. Especially Terry and Bud, the old timers.

Go to American Trck Driving school in Coldwater Michigan.
You'll get the best education and training you can any where period.
160 hours certified course.
They will work extra with any one that needs it, as long as it takes, if you don't graduate after 4 weeks they let you come back for free, as long as it takes, with no exta charge.
They are personal and friendly.
Work Force Investment act may help with the costs.
Talk to Chantelle in admission.
If you fail the driving test they have you do it over the next day, if you fail again they have you stay an extra week practicing and you take it over again till you do pass.
I researced 4 weeks online and through community college until I decided on A T D S.
Community colleges take wy to long , up to 6 months, you could be working in 4 to 5 weeks.
I hired on with Falcon flatbedding after school and am happy with them.
I average 750 to 1000k a week take home and am home every weekend.
Falcon has a 2 week course that they put you through then with a trainer for 4 weeks.
You get 90 a day training
They have 3 insurance programs to pick from plus life ins too.
I get to pick many of my runs .
Good luck.

All true. Same thing where I am, and the community college here. They exceed PTDI requirements and don't feel the need to pay for the certification. They are reputable to the end that ABF and FedEx send their people to this school for their CDL training.
A lot of it really rides on who you want to go to work for.

Tons of information :) thanks for the help!

I had a friend of mine that enrolled in Western Pacific Truck School, it ran him about $4500.00 upfront. He was in a class with three other people, and the most difficult thing that everyone had a problem with, Pretrip inspections. The list of 100 things to check was alot for some. Price seems just too steep for obtaining a CDL.