Iowa central community college anybody????

I am very familier with this school as I hire drivers from there. I am biased, but out of all the schools I deal with they are by far the best prepared for work. Housing is good, kind of like a dorm like situation but it is in houses close to the campus. But they have a school car that students can use to get back and forth and around town. The instructors are very patient and knowledgeble, and they stay ahead of all DOT changes and will make sure you are to.

 

I'm currently enrolled in Iowa Central Community College, and so far have enjoyed the experience. The school cars are only for trips to the DMV only. I highly suggest that you skip the bus ride and drive to Fort Dodge if you can. If you have any questions, feel free to reach me via pm.

 

I tried to send a pm, but am required to have 7 posts before I can use that function, so I will answer your questions on this thread.

As far as the schooling, It is a 10 week 390 hour course. The first two weeks will be spent in the classroom where you will learn pre-trips, log books, rules and regulations and watching classroom videos. You will also be assigned home work to complete at home which consists of pre trips, and reading chapters from the course textbook. They will provide you with all the tools you need to pass the General knowledge test to earn your permit. I reccommend that you go to Cristcdl.com and take the general knowledge, air brake, and combination tests as many of the questions will appear on your DOT test. Also study the Iowa CDL manual, which you can find online as all the questions on the DMV test derive from the book. This way you can get a head start on your class mates.

After the second week, you will be performing pre trips and in cab inspection. I have typed up the steps on Microsoft word and can forward it to you if needed. After that you will learn basic controls, coupling and uncoupling, serpentine, straight line backing, Shifting, alley docks, driving navigating the truck around urban settings, and much more. I'm currently in day 2 shifting where you are learning to shift gears in the back roads of Iowa. Once you feel more comfortable, you will drive on the main roads, and interstate across state lines. The instructors are experienced and have a wealth of knowledge. They are patient and won't scream at you if you are having a hard time learning a maneuver. There is 19 students in my class, about 6 full time instructors, and about 3 part time instructors with a instructor to student ratio of 3 to 1.

As far as the dorms, they are not quite the dorms that you would imagine on a college campus, but rather multi-room houses that are fully equipped with pots,pans, stove, microwave, wifi, cable, tv etc. While there are single bed rooms, most of the rooms have 2 or more beds. I showed up early and snagged one of them, but depending on the class size, it is possible to be in a two bedroom with no room mate. While not great, the dorms are not mediocre, though I heard horror stories about one of them. While their are shuttle buses that pick you up to and from school each day, you will need a car in order to get around or otherwise walk several blocks to go anywhere on your own time. Again, if possible, bring your car as the town is rural and lack the public transit resources that is available in Queens.

While one of the dorms is located near the truck driving school, all of them are located far away from the main campus (about 4 - 5 miles). As a transportation student, you can go on to the main campus and get a student ID that gives you access to the same resources (gym, library, cafeteria, as traditional students.

Overall, the school provides you more training and resources than other schools at a similar price range, and I feel that I'm learning valuable skills that I wouldn't be able to pick up in a 3 week CDL mill.

I think this covers all your questions. If you have any additional questions, feel free to ask.

 

A lot of the other students got the same impression when talking to Jamie.

There are three dorms. The first is located on the corner of eighth ave south and South 31st street (closest one to the trucking school), and the other two are on ninth and fourth avenue south (I don't remember the exact house numbers). Within walking distance of eighth, there is a Walmart, Target and strip mall where you can get basic necessities. The other two houses are located within walking distance of a supermarket (Fareway I believe).

Congrats in getting enrolled in the program, and I wish much success . I complete the school in mid may so maybe we might come in contact then.

 

Just make sure you head downtown and check out the local "talent" at the top hat...