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  1. 07.14.2012 #1
    Sly48
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    A TOUGH Decision

    Hi Everyone,
    After reading and reading and reading and searching, I'm going to ask....

    I'm ready to start school and have a few questions:

    1) Why are Community College CDL -A Classes 6 weeks and Company Paid Programs/Schools only 4 weeks? Example, Covenant, Stevens, Swift, USA Truck and a few local companies have Company Sponsored Schooling here where I live that last about a month and they actually send you to the same Community College where it takes 6 weeks if you enroll by yourself and fund the school yourself? Does anyone know the answer?

    2) If I choose to enroll and pay for my own school so I'm not "tied" via a contract to a company for 1-2 years, will I have a good chance of getting recruited by a company after graduation? The School "claims a 98% job placement rate"?

    3) Should I choose to go to and pay for my own schooling, should I make sure that it's PTDI Certified?

    Thanks for any help!!!

    Sly
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  2. 07.14.2012 #2
    packerfan603
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    Sly48 Here is what I know
    1) CDL training at least here in the state I in is required to be 160 hrs (classroom, yard, driving, and observation) most cdl scholls you will attend will go at least 8 hrs a day (8X5X4= 160) and most community coleges do not go that long.
    2) yes i you pay yourself you can go to work for whomever will hire you asfar as placement it will depend on your driving record and employment history.
    3) the better the school the better chance you will get a job
    Last edited by packerfan603; 07.14.2012 at 10.40 AM. Reason:: NOT DONE
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  3. 07.14.2012 #3
    Sly48
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    Quote Originally Posted by packerfan603 View Post
    Sly48 Here is what I know
    1) CDL training at least here in the state I in is required to be 160 hrs (classroom, yard, driving, and observation) most cdl scholls you will attend will go at least 8 hrs a day (8X5X4= 160) and most community coleges do not go that long.
    2) yes i you pay yourself you can go to work for whomever will hire you asfar as placement it will depend on your driving record and employment history.
    3) the better the school the better chance you will get a job
    Thanks!!! Driving Record is spotless and so is criminal record and I don't do or ever have done drugs. My Employment record is good and verifiable, the only thing that does concern me is showing prove of income via a W-2 or 1099. My now EX Wife took all of our tax records, etc and now I can't seem to locate her to get my info....not sure if all companies require past tax records?

    The 2 schools close to me are Lonestar College and Houston Community College. I noticed on the PTDI website, only the Houston Community College appears to be a certified school by them, but not sure how much that matters, since a number of big companies work with Lonestar College, where I'd like to attend (close to home).

    Thanks for the post!!
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  4. 07.14.2012 #4
    NYROADIE
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    Being PTDI will open MORE doors than a non-certified school will, that dosn't mean the non-certified school is worse or that you won't get a job it means the list of potentail jobs is a little shorter.
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  6. 07.14.2012 #5
    Zoltan1a
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    There will always be jobs out there for you in this field
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  8. 07.14.2012 #6
    airforcetoo
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    Pay your own way if possible
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  9. 07.14.2012 #7
    Sly48
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    Quote Originally Posted by airforcetoo View Post
    Pay your own way if possible
    Thanks!! That's the plan....$$$ is set aside!!
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  10. 07.14.2012 #8
    Sly48
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    Quote Originally Posted by NYROADIE View Post
    Being PTDI will open MORE doors than a non-certified school will, that dosn't mean the non-certified school is worse or that you won't get a job it means the list of potentail jobs is a little shorter.
    I figured as much....but there seems to be a difference between "certified" and "accredited"
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  12. 07.14.2012 #9
    FwL
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    If you have an idea who you'd like to drive for, give them a call and ask if they hire students from the school you plan to attend.
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  14. 07.16.2012 #10
    Kit76
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    If you contact your past employers you can get a reprint of your W-2's. Worst case scenario, you can request copies of past filed tax returns from the IRS.
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