How does this program stack up against the rest?

This is the course I am scheduled to attend, does it stand out, will it give a me a significant leg up over other new graduates?

Program Description

This "Ultimate Driver" program is an in-depth driver training program developed for the career truck driver that allows students students to learn advanced driving techniques. Students will receive classroom instruction to obtain their permit, on entry level driver qualifications, insight into the business, and training on rules, regulations and procedures.
Behind the wheel time consists of time spent behind the wheel of a tractor trailer combination applying the driving techniques discussed in the classroom. Student truck drivers learn and master the turning, backing and shifting skills on a large driving range. Once a student driver has gained the experience and confidence of the driving range skills, the student and driving instructor proceed with street training to polish and hone the student’s skills in real world situations.
Driver Finishing will allow licensed drivers the ability to learn advanced driving techniques, city driving and truck routes, and long haul operations. Truck Maintenance will provide training in brake adjustment assembly and function, tire repair and changing, tire chain repair, engine components, inspection schedules and troubleshooting.
Curriculum:

• Basic Operation: Orientation, control systems, vehicle inspections, basic control, shifting, backing and docking and coupling / uncoupling. Contact Hours: 84.5
• Safe Operating Practices for Basic Operation: Visual search, vehicle communication, speed management and space management. Contact Hours: 73
• Advanced Operating Practices: Night operation, extreme driving conditions, hazard perception, emergency maneuvers, skid control and recovery and passive railroad crossings. Contact Hours: 23
• Vehicle Systems and Reporting Malfunctions: I.D. and maintenance, and diagnosing and reporting. Contact Hours: 6
• Non-Vehicle Activities: Handling cargo and documenting, environmental issues, hours of service, accident procedures,managing life on the road/personal, trip planning and communication skills. Contact Hours: 43
• OSHA Forklift Safety and discretionary hours. Contact Hours: 15
• CDL Road Skills Exam: State of Alaska certified CDL Road Skills Exam by certified examiner. Contact Hours: 2
• Driver Finishing. Contact Hours: 120
• NSTC w/ H2S. Contact Hours: 8
• 40 Hour HAZWOPER. Contact Hours: 32
• ATSSA Traffic Control Flagging. Contact Hours: 8
• First Aid/CPR/AED. Contact Hours: 8
• CSA Documentation. Contact Hours 6
• Terminal Operations. Contact Hours: 6
• Shop Safety. Contact Hours: 5.5
• Truck Maintenance. Contact Hours: 40

Certifications or Certificates


Graduates who successfully complete the course will receive or be awarded the following certifications or certificates:

• Entry Level Driver Qualification
• OSHA Forklift Safety
• NSTC w/H2S
• 40 Hour HAZWOPER
• ATSSA Traffic Control Flagging
• First Aid / CPR / AED
• NIT certificate of completion
• State of Alaska Commercial Drivers License

Length of Program

• 480 Hours (Homework Required)

Format of Program

• 12 Weeks

I intend to get all endorsements except passenger and enter into the industry pulling a tanker if all works out. BTW, cost is not an issue, so questions comparing cost vs. content are irrelevant.

 

You may right, but I think it may depend on the company. Right now there is only one LARGE company that I will give any consideration to. I would like think that "maybe", just maybe this program "might" give a better chance at getting hired onto a more "desirable" company, I can only hope and do my best.

$18k

Going to do my best to finish at the top of the class, may be tough against a younger person though.

 

Thanks Chinatown, reading what you have posted on other threads is one of the leading reasons for choosing to go directly into tankers, rather than doing it later.

 

As I said, cost is not an issue, also keep in mind this is in Alaska and much trucking and economy in general is oil field/industry related, that is where those other certifications come in to play. In other words, this program is basically tailored to employment requirements/prerequisites in the oil field on the North Slope, yet exceeds that required by trucking companies in general.

As for fork lift, I encounter job listing in the trucking industry nearly every time I look that list it as a requirement or preference, particularly local jobs.

Why would you be shocked if I actually got all of those hours in? They are paid for and part of the curriculum, the school is obligated to provide it if it is paid for. This is not a mega mill school, this is respected and PTDI sanctioned school in a state that is only huge by geographical standards. There is no room for shysters.

This program is actually many that anyone can receive individually, the 120 driver finishing aspect is just one of them. I fully expect to get 120 hours+ behind the wheel, if it does not happen someone will be very unhappy, and that is not going to be me.