International Trucking School (ITS) Lansing, MI

Discussion in 'Trucking Schools and CDL Training Forum' started by DriverJD, Feb 23, 2015.

  1. DriverJD

    DriverJD Bobtail Member

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    ITS is a privately run CDL training school. They have several training campuses in Michigan. I am currently enrolled in Lansing. They are using the property once used by TRAINCO. Since TRAINCO is no longer (not sure why) and LCC ended its CDL program (again, don't know why), ITS seems to be the only survivor in Lansing.

    A little about the program.
    4 or 5 weeks. 40 hrs in class room. 120 hrs on the range or on the road. 5th week is testing with state and additional classroom for endorsements and cpr. They also help you arrange skid pad training with another company. If enrolled in 4 week program, you test in the fifth week and don't stick around for additional classroom or training.

    I just took the TIP tests and passed easily. The first week more than prepares you for this. Next will be Safety Inspection and range driving. We never touched the range or got near a truck in the first week, so I am ready to get this part started.

    Class size is 15. One lead classroom instructor. Three additional range and road instructors. Currently 3 trucks.

    Lead instructor is patient with the slower students yet tries to keep things moving.

    Overall, I don't think I could expect more. I will get my time in the truck and all of the companies I have contacted that hire recent grads north of I-94 are willing to take me once I have the CDL in hand.
     
    heyns57 and Chinatown Thank this.
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  3. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Congratulations; which companies did you contact?If NTB Trucking is one of them, it's a good company.
     
  4. DriverJD

    DriverJD Bobtail Member

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    Thanks for the tip. I know of NTB but I am trying for flatbed first.
     
  5. runninman123

    runninman123 Bobtail Member

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    what flatbed co. did you end up going with was also looking into its (I live in grand blanc) also what companies did you apply to thanks
     
  6. DriverJD

    DriverJD Bobtail Member

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    runninman,
    First: Welcome to TTR.
    Second: I recommend that you get in a habit of attentively reading the thread of previous posts before you post yourself. The information you are seeking may be gleaned from within. :mwink:

    In response to your questions,
    1) I have not selected a company becuase I am a still a student and learning and applying, etc.
    2) I have contacted mostly companies with a flatbed division. I don't feel like listing here because it would be an incomplete list. I am still learning about what is out there.

    Oh, and this thread is intended to be more about ITS than about me. Thanks.
     
  7. DriverJD

    DriverJD Bobtail Member

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    An update on ITS. I have completed the first of three weeks training in the trucks.

    The trucks are used and abused, but start and steer and shift (mostly). One is slushy but gets in once you find the hole. One is smooth but picky about road/engine/rpm speed, (we have been told it is okay to skip 4th altogether cause it is so picky and only goes in under perfect conditions). One is solid and definite and forgiving. We practice on each to learn the idiosyncrasies.

    We had a couple days of being short instructors so one truck tended to practice manuevers or shifting with little supervision. Today one truck shorted a wire that killed the electricals and was towed and will hopefully be back next week early.

    With around 15 students and 3 trucks and 3 instructors (when all is as it should be), a day is probably typical to any school. We have a larger driving lot with cones strategically set in the middle. One truck runs laps around the outside while the other two practice backing in the middle. Student-drivers rotate turns after a few laps or after each completed backing manuever (the rest are crammed in the back watching the driver). I don't think I get much more than an hour behind the wheel each day (about 6 hours each day on range after a little class time and practicing inspections and breaks and such).

    It is what it is and I'm getting as much as I can out of it. Fortunately, I'm picking up on it all and on pace to test out without any trouble. I will continue to make the best of my time behind the wheel and try to be patient with the students that need more attention which only puts them in the seat longer than those that need less attention.

    Oh, we also run HOS logs on paper throughout every day. If the truck is running then I am "driving" regardless of who is in the seat. It is good practice.
     
    T. Hooghouse Thanks this.
  8. T. Hooghouse

    T. Hooghouse Bobtail Member

    Thanks for the Update JD, going to be making calls tomorrow and hopefully everything will work out, Hopefully I can get the Three day a week course over their at ITS. Whats the class time frame usually run day to day?
     
  9. DriverJD

    DriverJD Bobtail Member

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    Hooghouse,
    Not all programs listed on the ITS website are available at all locations. The Lansing location offers full day, M-F, for 4-5 weeks. I arrive before 7:45 and leave after 5:00.
     
    Last edited: Mar 7, 2015
  10. ArmyMP

    ArmyMP Light Load Member

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    Watertown, NY
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    I am curious are you just driving around the parking lot? Any real road time? Whats the highest gear you get into?
     
  11. DriverJD

    DriverJD Bobtail Member

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    I was going to give an update of the previous week but haven't gotten to it yet. To answer ArmyMP: we did not drive on the road the first week on the range. We were introduced to shifting then. I could take turns in 5th or 6th and easily make 7th on the short straitway. I would practice downshifting through each gear then go up again the next time around.

    This past week I went on the road twice. Small town city streets, side streets, highways, interstates. It was a full driving experience. I will go again a few times next week.
     
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