Wanted to start a thread on this school to hopefully inform others on what to expect and what I experienced. This is a 4 week long school, whereas the first 2 weeks are classroom training, and the last 2 weeks are driver training. I just started on July 21, 2014 and with an expected date of state exam on August 18th, 2014. The reason I went with this school was due to the one on one driver training. When I get my time training, I want it to be my time, not sharing the truck with others, as some schools do. From what I am told, there will be many miles in which I will have the time training in numerous driving conditions, and different roads, interstate, rural, city (not downtown though) and state roads. There are 8 drive and 11 drive classes where each drive time is 4 hours in length, and some may be 2 4 hour drives in a day. I didn't want to go through a company sponsored drive school as I didn't want to be forced to drive for any company I didn't want to drive for, and I wanted a school which seems to want to train me, not just take my money.
I will not make daily updates, as I will be concentrating on the tasks at hand, and I will try to update when I have the time. The first week was all classroom instruction. We started with only 4 people in this class, and 1 left after the first day (not sure why though). Now we have 3. I am glad the classes are limited, gives more time for more of a personal training instead of a class loaded with people and a more impersonal training I guess. We are completing daily paper logs, to help familiarize ourselves with that. We are going through PTDI book training, and taking tests after every chapter. We have covered HOS, shifting techniques, regulations, different driving conditions, mountain driving, chaining, air brakes, pre-trip inspections, (we have a dvd which demonstrates the pre-trip inspection), responsibilities of the driver, shipper, receiver, company, etc. There also are several videos, some of which are older but still pertain to trucking rules and regulations, as well as different driving techniques, as well as some videos from personal perspectives of current and/or former truck drivers. Some really hit home knowing that a simple mistake can change many lives, not just yours. I can tell everyone from my personal standpoint that I was ignorant of many things which a CDL holder has to comply with to maintain their license. I guess when they say professional driver, they really do hold you to that, somewhat unfairly in my opinion, other times I agree with. Anyways, this looks to be a very good training program so far, as it just isn't about holding a steering wheel. The instructor is very good and was a professional truck driver of over 7 years, who still holds their CDL, and has many stories to tell which are very interesting. Several companies have sent recruiters to the school, and several more will be as well throughout our training. I do plan on going with TMC, and had already had things in motion when they came to the school. Old Dominion, Gully, Schneider were also there this week, and DOT food was going to be there, but had to reschedule due to family emergency. I know I have left out several things which we had went over, but just wanted to give some insight as to what to expect if someone else were to think about this school. Overall I am not in any way disappointed with my decision to go to this school, and hopefully I will be successful in attaining my CDL!
SAGE Professional Truck Driving School, Indianapolis, IN
Discussion in 'Trucking Schools and CDL Training Forum' started by GWIZ2260, Jul 26, 2014.
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I'm starting at Sage in Endicott, NY this Monday...hope I have a similar experience.
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Hello GWIZ , I was at the Sage school in Muncie , Indiana a few weeks ago and it seemed like a good school.
They are working with Carter express from Anderson , Indiana and Carter pays for the school. How much is the school if you pay yourself ?
I wonder which school is the best , Muncie or Indianapolis ? I asked the lady in Muncie and she said there is less traffic in Muncie but that don't tell me much
I will be living in Kokomo and it is about the same driving distance but if you hear anything about if one is better please let me know.
If you go to Search box and type in Carter Express there is a guy on there that goes by something like IAMCHRIS and he also posted about SAGE School in Muncie I think.
Looking forward to any info you have.
Did you have to get a drug test , physical and your CDL permit before you could attend there ? -
dennisroc Thanks this.
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Good luck with your program. I went to Sage in Henderson, Colorado. It was overall a good experience for me. One on one drive training is a big plus. I think you made the right choice.
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dennisroc Thanks this.
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dennisroc Thanks this.
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Thanks everyone for questions and comments. The one question if anyone wants to put their two cents in is this...... Should I put several apps in to different companies? The reason I ask is that the company I want to start my career with has already gave me a pre-hire so wasn't sure if I should continue submitting apps or not. I guess my thinking is why do that when you already have a pre-hire from the company you want to work for, didn't want another company to give a pre-hire also and then I don't go to work for them, I may at some point be interested in working for them but that may look poorly for me to already have had a pre-hire but didn't accept it...??? Hope that makes sense.
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If you think your company you're prehired with isn't the one you want to go with, you can keep putting applications out. I would hold off on applications if that company is already paying your tuition, though. They may have a penalty written into your contract for leaving early if they are paying your tuition. If you're just prehired and you haven't signed anything, you can apply to whomever you please.
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