Future Truckers of America training school in Asheboro, NC

I went to that same technical college. They are GREAT!!! Actually, had to interrupt at the end for an emergency trip abroad. And when came back, started all over again. So, I was there for 6 months. Well, I had time.... But everything cost me a total of U$100.00.

 

3 months of trucking school? holy moly! I went Monday - Thursday, 8A - 5P. I think my class was 5 weeks. that's 160 hours. we watched videos, did book work (rules, logbook, etc.,) took written tests, practiced backing, had road time to learn how to change gears (bobtailing,) then did road time with a trailer. if I had to stretch that out over 3 months, I would've gone nuts. there's only so much you can do during school - learning to be a truck driver is NOT one of those things. you get the jest of being a trucker when you're with your trainer. the REAL learning begins when you get your own truck.

 

Sorry, I can't in good conscience advise what I just put here earlier, so I removed it.

 

Yeah, that school at Johnson Community College was NC Truck Driver Training School. It was and still IS the oldest and best truck driver training facility in the United States .... went there myself many moons ago. The total cost to me was $75.00 which didn't even cover the cost of the tire wear I put on the trucks. School was 10 weeks then and you qualified to drive the truck without an instructor by the end of the 5th week or they sent you home. Operated on a system of demerits and once you accumulated too many demerits they sent you home. It was entirely state supported so it was basically a non profit organization and since it wasn't a money making company they felt like they had no obligation to put people on the road who shouldn't be out here. But ... if you passed ... you had no trouble finding a good job. Ahhhhhhhhhhh for the good old days.

Ya know ... that school is still operating ... if I had a son who wanted to start driving a truck ... that's exactly where I would send him ... no ifs ... no ands ... and no buts. Ron Nichols is still there and you can bet your last dollar that if he still has anything to say about it, that school is still operated in the same way!!!

 

To all the naysayers concerning privately owned truck schools.......I can't blame you for your opinion. There are too many schools out there that have destroyed what a few schools have tried to do for years. You are correct in referring to schools as a "CDL Mill". But stop short of including all private schools.

usedtobearailroader, your info on FTA is correct concerning cost, hours, and class size. They do not include drug screen/physical for obvious reasons. You fail it, FTA is out of that money. Guess thats part of the business side.

FTA also carries a 97% placement rate for its graduates in part because FTA requires a pre-hire letter from one of the "bottom feeders", even if you are paying your own way. Otherwise, you will sign a release stating that you have been advised of your employment opportunities/limitations and FTA is not responsible for assisting you with your job search. FTA will not allow students to enroll with certain criminal convictions or driving violations.

FTA does offer a 4 week program. If your skill level isn't suffecient, you continue in the program at no additional cost. Private schools have absolutely no incentive to graduate every student that enrolls and most schools do hold safety to the highest regard. Do private schools make mistakes, of course we do. But we don't offer a demerit program that is designed to "send people home". As a tax payer you should know that for every student that enrolls in a community college program for $75/$600, tax money pays the rest of the tuition. Great for the student and for the college. Once a student has met the 10% attendance mark, the college gets paid whether they graduate or not. Is the training good at the colleges? Of course it is. If you can wait for the next class and be out of work for another 10 weeks.

New drivers have to start somewhere and there are alot of options. It all depends on your needs at the time. Visit schools if you can before enrollment. Meet the people who run them. That will go a long way in helping your decision process.

FTA Complaints: BBB - 0, NCDMV - 0, NCWIA - 0, FMCA - 0

 

How's that driver shortage workin' out for ya?

 

I agree with you Chief. I am starting at F.T.A on Monday the 18th (Oct. 2010) in Ashboro. I know the cost is high and the course is short but I learn fast and have had exp. driving straight trucks. Starting from the bottom is pretty much a given for me due to a ticket or 2 and 3 year old misdemeanor. By the way it is M-Th now $2,500 and $240 ($20 a nite) for a room. Classes would be empty at $5,000. I just finished a roofing job yesterday to pay for it. Let's hope it pays off. I'm confident it will but if any one has any advice about FTA or been there I'd be open to hearing all about it good or bad.

 

I have been here at FTA for 3 weeks and I have not had any complaints. The class I start with has only 8 people in it and we have had a alot of hands on training with the instructors. All of the instructors have 20 plus years driving exp. They will tell you up front that they can not teach you everything but they give you the basic for you to get out there and get the exp with your company you go with.