I live in Tucson AZ and I'm considering HDS Training Institute because they are local. Does anyone have any experience or info on this company. They are one of the programs approved by the Arizona Department of Education, for what that's worth. They are associated with DSW - Digby South West trucking. I'm a trucker wanna-be trying to avoid bad training schools - like everyone else! Any help is appreciated. Thanks

Further investigation of HDS/DSW

From one of their documents:
HDS was founded as a driver leasing company. HDS expanded into a truck driving school, safety and compliance services and a drug testing consortium in 1991. Douglas Prall, President of HDS, has been in the trucking industry since 1977. His father George Prall, founded Highway Express a Driver Dispatch in 1969 in Phoenix. HDS was formed when George stepped down as president of Highway Express and Doug took over as president and changed the name to HDS Highway Distribution Services.

Observations at their facility:
After a student completes a driver training program (they have 5 or 6 from 2 to 26 weeks), they can be hired by DSW which is in the same building as HDS. DSW trucks are leased by other trucking companys to run loads. The couple of tractors I saw had DSW on the doors and "Leased by Swift" on the side behind the doors. The facility has truck repair bays, a driver lounge, showers/toilets, all management, hiring, dispatch, book keeping, financial aid and training personal. The driving range is black top. They have a separate building/class room for Spanish only speaking students. They offer an open house every Saturday from 10A-1P. They apparently don't have other trucking companies recruit at their facility. Hopefully this will help anyone else looking for info on HDS/DSW.

I don't thing I'll go here. I'm thinking I may move to Nashville first and take my training there - more training schools to choose from and more trucking companies.

Regards

I went thru their school 7+ yrs ago. Was OK, but they didnt allow other companies to come in and recruit the driver at graduation---they wanted you to work for DSW!!! DSW mgmt treated drivers like crap (just like Swift!), and I got what I wanted from them (1+ yrs experience) and left!! I lived in Tucson is why I went there...