Keystone Diesel in Butler Pa. My new journey..

This will be my ongoing thread on Keystone Diesel in Butler Pa.

Since there wasnt much information on this school, and I have asked a couple different questions on this forum, with not much info, I will give my thoughts on how things go.

First off, I have aquired the funds I need to finance my part (hell yeah!!!). So here is the information that I know.

1. School is 4 weeks. I start the 14th of April.

2. Cost to attend is 6600.00. The school will help with financing half that cost. The student needs to come up with 3k of that on their own.

3. You will need to schedule a time to go there, fill out the paperwork, and then they send you down for the physical and drug test. Keystone Diesel requires that you submit a check for 150.00. The check will not be cashed, they hold it until you pass the physical and drug test. Then give it back to you the first week of training after you start, provided you pass the pee test etc.

4. Tom in admissions has been great so far. He has been prompt in returning phone calls (actually I have always been able to call and direct connect with him), and he has been very good in following up and calling me with any new info he had. Since I am from Erie Pa. (1.5 hours away), driving to Butler every day would be hard, so he is going out of his way to look into weekly motel rates for me. Then I can spend the week there, come home on the weekends. He does not seem like the typical recruiters hounding you that I have experienced so far with the other schools I have looked into.

NOW... a little background on me...

I am a divorced single father of two beautiful children, a computer network engineer by trade so far, having done it for 15 years now. Educated, hard working, rebuild classic cars as a hobby. I have been unemployed for 10 months now, trying to find a position in computers. Decided that I needed to change careers as I am sick of fighting for 5 openings a month against 1k other applicants.

I have read these forums, talked to others and I have no illusions of what all is involved in driving truck (I always do my homework).

That being said, I am the type of person that is very easy going, honey catches more flies than vinegar in dealing with things, and am very professional and responsible.

I have a clean driving record, I dont do drugs, never in trouble with the law, clean cut yada yada.

So.... thats it in a nutshell. This week, I plan on going door to door to the different local trucking companies, discussing possible opportunities with any of them after graduation, as that is my actual goal (working local or regional). I figure going door to door in a professional manner might get my foot in the door somewhere here.

Anyways, I guess follow along as I let you know how my experience is with Keystone Diesel. So far I am pretty happy with Tom, and will give updates as I have them.

Thanks all.

Craig

 

Thanks all. I will keep this updated as I go along. I like the idea of Schneider bulk, maybe even hazmat if I can get the endorsement. But for right now, just trying to focus on the school. I have studied the book now for 2 months and feel that I could pass the permit test now easily. God knows studying for computer certifications were extremely difficult and I never failed any of those. Just gotta put the time in.

Really the only thing I'm trying to figure out now is a place to stay in butler while I go to school during the week. Driving back and forth from Erie to butler every day will bankrupt me. Lol

 

Ohseven1098, thanks but don't need the couch. Tom found a place for me to rent for the 4 weeks so should be good to go. Coming to butler tomorrow to get settled in. Nervous and excited.

As a note, Tom and the rest of the crew at keystone have been fantastic following up on anything that needed to be taken care of. Almost hand holding but to me, that's fantastic as someone who has never been thru this, it's great having someone show you what is needed and not let you hang out in the breeze so to speak.

more to come as I go through school.

 

Wheew, here is the update.

First week was a blur. Classes are kept to only 6 students, which I like. John is the classroom instructor, and was a OTR driver for many years. Very knowledgeable, great instructor. Everyone at Keystone Diesel really wants you to learn and succeed. First week is going over the book for general knowledge, air brakes, combination vehicles. On Friday, you take the permit test. All the students of my class passed their permit tests. After we all passed the permit test, we spent the rest of the afternoon in the range trucks, learning backing, air brake checklist.

We had recruiters the first week come in and speak to us about why we should join their company. All depends on what you are looking for.

So far, all in all, I think this is a great school to attend. Yes, 6600 dollars seems expensive, but the smaller classes, more one on one instructor training, and the cost just to keep the maitenance done on the trucks, including fuel, I can see why. I think it is worth it so far. No regrets at this time choosing this school.