good luck,keep us posted

Update to rule on minimum working requirements for RRRTP:

For those on the RRRTP Grant, according to the speech we were told. Even the piece of paper we signed never specifically said we had to work for a particular length of time. Just that they would FOLLOW-UP after 30 days, 60, 90, and 120 days with the job(s) you pick to see.

You are only REQUIRED to have an orientation/start date setup with your carrier before you leave the school. And SHOW UP to orientation.

It's really a pilot program and we are the guinea pigs. The gov't will determine based on the success of this program (measured on job placement and retainability) whether or not to do it again when another natural disaster happens. Or maybe they'll just keep it open. Who knows.

Supposibly there's still about 50 left.

Oh, and those that score a "4" or a "5" on that qualifying test that you take (yes, it is graded on a scale from 1-5), you get the first crack at the apprenticeship program. It is a 18-24 month program where you can get an associates degree in transportation. You will have a job with a union company. And you will have monthly electronic courses to complete. Not sure when the apprentiship starts (they haven't fully written the program yet). Those that score a 3 will have a chance to get there as well, as it seems they do not have enough slots.

Don't feel bad. I made a 3 and an experienced trucker (one of the liasons for the RRRTP program), made a 2. He is made fun of often by the admissions ladies. The test is stupid anyway, and the majority of the ones that make 4s and 5s are the ones that the admission ladies have experienced the most problems with getting them fully qualified.

Update to Written Part.

School-wise, I already covered the written part of it. Thats the first 4 days getting you that CDL PERMIT. Then you have what is called eTreads. It is a third-party, visual computer modules (36 of them) that you have to complete and then take a test on them. They designed it in such a way that you actually have to click on each page. And they often place questions on a separate page. It gets ANNOYING as this can take an hour or longer to complete the longer modules. Here's 2 tips:

1) If there is a computer next to you and it is free, you can logon to 2 computers at the same time and do 2 modules at the same time.

2) If you get a question wrong, you have to repeat that page. So if you press the stop button before the lady gets done speaking, you can re-login and reanswer the question without having to repeat that page. If you are doing the 2-computer setup, it's not as big of a deal as you're already getting 2 knocked out anyway.

Oh, and since you are often out on the road or in the yard practicing driving, you may have to stay late to do the etreads. Or between turns driving, you can knock out part or all of the eTreads module (great way to get out of the cold). The eTreads are a REQUIREMENT.

Actual Drive Time

The trucks are 8, 9, or 10 speed manual. Anywhere from 1-5 years old. They maintain them, but the students do seem to wear out that clutch a lot. Don't expect perfection. The alignments were in good shape. I'm not a trucker, but on a scale of 1-10 (10 being greatest), they would have an 8 for overall condition.

They get you in the school parking lot (not paved), where you practice your straight-line backing, close-corner right turn, alley dock # 45 degree angle, and serpantine backing. They have 3-5 trucks going at any given time.

You go out on the real road a MINIMUM of 9 times for 45-60 minutes per session before you can test (for the CDL). I did my first one today on their "shifting pad" (you practice shifting up and down on a straight, level access road) .

We do go on the interstate and the WILL take us into the city and we are supposed to get plenty of those sessions.

The instructors (with the exception of 1 so far) all seem to CARE and are very THOROUGH with their instruction. Follow them and you should be fine.

I've tried to pack this with as much info as possible.

PS: Oh, and you have to learn the Pre-Trip as well. 108 point inspection of both the tractor and trailer. A lot of it is repeat (like the tires, brakes, and lights). They try to push that in there between drives at least once a day. Between drives, you can find a parked truck and practice that as well.

I am a complete noob to this forum and trucking in general, but this sounds like the best option out there at the moment.

I did an online app at classa and got the call from CRST but I am not really interested in being a slave for change for 8 months to get free school and I am also not really interested in paying for it out of my pocket either.

After 11 years in the Marine Corps, I need to do something that keeps me moving because being a mechanic at a performance shop is killing me lol, too much time in one place. Thanks for posting this information up.

Slodsm, look into TMC. I just left Lejeune in June after 10 years, a lot of former Marines here. So far what I have seen it's pretty good. If you look into going to Roadmaster, they have a school in Dunn, NC which is about an hour from J-actionville

__________________
"Don't sweat the petty stuff, pet the sweaty stuff!"

Another thing about TMC is they have a loan repayment program, depending on which school you attend they will reimburse you from $100 to $150 a month every month you are employed until your loan is paid.

A lot of people say TMC is like the military, I am guessing its people who have never served. They are a flatbed company and they take everything very serious. They have lots of rules and they enforce them, you either follow them or you go home. So it should be no problem for you.

So far everyting I have read about them is exactly how it is here, when you read everything on this website take into account everyone will have a differant opinion but take it exactley as that.

Goodluck with whatever you choose.. S/F

__________________
"Don't sweat the petty stuff, pet the sweaty stuff!"

I did decide to go with TMC. It was between TMC, Maverick, and BTC for flatbed. Anyway, I wanted to go with Maverick, but I would have had to go on a waiting list, depending on the state. GA was about 3-4 weeks. But they make sure that the trainer and your records are 100% checked out PRIOR to you showing up. So that you don't show up there and then get disappointed. TMC automatically starts each Monday, and I also heard good things about TMC, so that's who I went with. But they don't do the background check until you get there.

I wasn't impressed with their orientation, which I am currently attending. The securement and learning how to work the loads part is ok. But besides the fact that the lunch sucks (they just get something for you; they don't even ask what the class want; they get the cheapest thing they can feed you with.) I mentioned something about it, but they say "It's free"....so I guess you get what you pay for. The attitude is very structured or "military" as another guy commented. And I was in the Navy for 4+ years. I think I'll write another thread on this alone.

Okay, so the RRRTP program is (or should be) officially over. Despite the very late advertising, they were able to fill all appx. 150 grant slots by Jan 31st.

The top 50 candidates that scored a 4 or 5 on the online test (the long one that qualified you) will get the opportunity to sign on for the Teamster Apprenticeship. (There wasn't nearly enough 4s or 5s, so they will go down to 3s and even 2s) The union company selected may be Miller Transport. The apprenticeship from what I understand will allow you to get a trucking job with Miller and you do a series of modules simultaneously. You would be a teamster from day 1 and you would get paid at appx 80% of the normal pay. It goes up progressively to 100% as you complete your apprentice modules. The apprenticeship is supposed to be 18 months.

Overall the Roadmaster driving school experience? Not bad. $7000 worth and you got 9 drives 1 hour each on the road with an instructor. For the price, I felt that they should have had a few one-on-one sessions. Just my opinion, though. But it is setup for mature people in that you are basically on your own to ensure that you practice your skills (str8 line back, alley dock, serpentine, etc) and that you show up on time to class so that you can get your road practice on. But between Edgar, Roney and (forgot the other guy's name) you should do great on your CDL permit and then again on your actual skills test. The instructors get 9.5 out of 10 in my book

Now the administration? Actually they were okay. They do work on your behalf, just have to be patient I guess. It was free (for me anyway)

Interesting clause about Arkansas residency. Being single and unattached, owning no homes in my current state, there is no reason I could not move to Arkansas and apply.

Surely, though, they cannot weigh ones state of residence so heavily to give away a $6,000 certificate just because one happens to live in Arkansas...

Right?

You wouldn't really need to move. All you would need to do is have an Arkansas mailing address and perhaps a recent utility or bank statement and take an eye test to switch your license over.

Sic

The grant was a federal one originally for hurricane Katrina victims. But they opened it up to military vets and then since it was being administered in Arkansas, Arkansas residents got a shot at the grants as well. So if you fell in one of those 3 qualifications, you were good to go.

$6,500.00 at Roadmaster vs $600.00 at ASU. Whats the bennifits of paying the extra money? When is the grant deadline? Do they room women with other women? Any one know any details about the memphis campus and rooming? Anyone not passed the pysical and why?