Do trucking companies hire grads from certified schools only or any student that has received thier CDL? Is certification for a school just a gimmick or should that be important when chosing a school? Also the ATA's website has "member" and PTDI schools, can the member programs be trusted?

Thanks all

The carriers that I researched do not really care how or where you get your license....... some will put you through their entire training anyway and some will do a sort of "test you" and do a shorter training....... all of them are going to stick you with a trainer for a few weeks out on the road.
You do know that many of the carriers offer training for the CDL? I don't think that is the best approach but they do offer it.

My post on why I chose private:
[LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This Truck Forum Link.

A lot of the posters here say it is important. My opinion is based on the fact that when I talked to companies....... they all had the same low opinion of schools/mills..... regardless of whether they were certified or not.

You will get more actual in the seat time at a PDTI school........... but you will also pay dearly for it....... around here you can get a school for $3k-$5k...... some PDTI schools charge $7k-$8k!......... for the difference I figured I could go to my "cheap" school and still pay for 10,20,30 or even 40 extra hours of one-on-one from them (if I felt I needed the extra time) and I would STILL pay less than the certified schools..........just MHO

Thread discussing certification:
[LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This Truck Forum Link.

The schools/mills will teach you only enough to pass the test.

You should do some research on here....... just about every school and way to get into trucking has been covered (many times over).......

Recent thread on ways to approach training:
[LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This Truck Forum Link.

You can also ask me or anyone else, and we will see if we can't point you in the right direction....

Btw........ Welcome!

TST

__________________


The definition of stupidity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. — Albert Einstein

Some companies have standards, others don't. I would say that it makes a difference regardless of what anybody else thinks, to include perspective employers. And... I don't necessarily think that a certification automaticly means it's going to cost more. I happen to know different. At the end of the day, it's going to come down to a "bottom-up" effort in your research. Looking at what's available in your area and factoring in cost, length, quality, and particulars of contract. Then if you want, you can contact specific employers to see if they have any specific requirements. (few do). Good luck!

good post... !!! area, where you are. (and) area, who do you think you want to work for ???

my school was both good and cheap...

and there are a couple of hundred companies within commuting distance of me. No it's not los angeles out here in iowa... hehehe but lots of food needs moved in and out, plus its a natural hub of sorts, I-80,90 / I-35,55 ect...

you can run anywhere from here.... versus if you lived in miami??? where ya headed???? north??? lol

__________________
Though your argument is very clever, I don't think it will lead to the results you desire. gandhi

You're welcome. I went to Fox Valley Tech near Green bay, WI. I wanted to work for SNI, but they wouldn't have me. Tried flatbedding for a short time before washing out. After delivering propane for a short while, I'm now looking for work (again) as it seems it was just seasonal. I had a tough time getting hired by anyone because I had no experience, and don't live near any major cities. I've decided OTR isn't for me, but like to keep up with things truck'n 'cause ya just never know... If you want to know more about FVTC, see previous posts. Hope you prosper and stay safe.

P.S. I wonder what pro1driver would think about this...?

6under..... I thought of you when I wrote the post above but couldn't remember where the thread was about your school........ if you find it later........ you might want to post it here?....... not too many people were happy with their schools so it was nice to hear about yours...... wait, now I think I know where it is......... be right back........ yep, got it..... see below if anyone wants to read GOOD things about a school.....

A good school story!
[LINK POSTED BY MEMBER] Only Members Can View This Truck Forum Link.

__________________


The definition of stupidity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. — Albert Einstein

I'd say if there's a community college near Casa Grande that offers truck driver training.....that's it! These private outfits will charge you $4000 to $6000 for 4 weeks and a lot of them are tied to companies you don't want to work for. The state college will usually train you better for a fraction of the cost. Then, the company that hires you will train you again until they're sure you can handle the job without cracking up their $150,000 rig. You'll be a truck driver,not a jet pilot. Certification only helps guys like me who are certifiably crazy.

I looked into a college outside of Phoenix but they are full up through fall. The other two I'm considering are American Institute of technology is $6350 and Southwest is $3550. Both have 4-5 companies they recruit for who will pay tuition for 1 year contract. I figure the first year while earning my stripes I'll sign with the one that fits me best cus it seems getting screwed a bit that first year is a given LOL! Both schools are same length of training of 4 weeks but AIT has paid externship where you drive with a current driver on the road. I'm gonna go to both schools to talk with them and see thier facilities and get the list of trucking companies to narrow my choice down.