Best "company sponsored training program"/"company sponsored truck driving school"?

Discussion in 'Trucking Schools and CDL Training Forum' started by J.D.W., Apr 30, 2010.

  1. J.D.W.

    J.D.W. Light Load Member

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    Apr 5, 2010
    Ontario, California
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    Now I know from what I've read in various spots and threads on these boards, that the general consensus when it comes to truck driving training/schooling, seems to be that the best way to go is to go to a non-company sponsored truck driving school or to a community college, to learn all you need to know and get your CDL from one of those sources.

    While I do respect that opinion on the matter from those who would wish to express it, of going to a truck driving school or community college. Let me just say as absolutely plainly and simply as I can possibly put it...that a truck driving school or community college course is simply not an option for me. I've been unemployed for way too long and am far too broke to be able to afford the out of pocket expenses of putting myself through a truck driving school all on my own! Even though I do realize that most trucking companies will fully reimburse you the cost of your training from a recognized and accredited truck driving school, once you have obtained your CDL, and been hired on by a trucking company. Right now I just simply cannot afford it. As for the option of going to a community college, problem with that option is that I live way up in the mountains, at least 50 miles away from the nearest community college. So aside from being unemployed and broke, there's no way in hell I'd be able to afford to drive 100+ miles round trip to and from a college, 2-3 days a week or whatever it would come out to be.

    So that said, and all that out of the way now...

    Let me ask those of you who have attended a company sponsored training program/company sponsored truck driving school, or have first hand knowledge of said programs and schools...which company, in your opinion, offers the best training/school program? Please do feel free to state why and what you liked about it, anything that perhaps you may not have liked so much about it, and any other pertinent information, that you think I or we may like to also know about it. The more details you'd like to share, the better!:biggrin_25519: Don't limit your response to information pertaining to just the schooling process itself though; if there's anything about the OTR training portion of the program that you would also like to share, then by all means, absolutely please do!

    Thank you very much in advance! Very much looking forward to reading all your responses to this!




    *Moderators/Staff...please do not move this post. Thank you!
     
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  3. maxwelltie

    maxwelltie Medium Load Member

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    I think the question that you need to ask is which company will train me best and I will have the best chance of completing training and be employed with.
    All schools, whether company sponsored, community college based or private have just one task: get you licensed.
    Next year, when you're sitting around the driver's lounge, no one will ask you where you got your license. No one will ask you what your score was or if you flunked the driving test a couple times before passing. No one will care. No prospective employer will ask.
    However, the training is what counts. This is where you learn to be a driver. I think too many people think the school will teach you to drive.
    Not true!
    They will teach you just enough to pass the test and get a CDL.
    Your first employer will train you.
    Think of it as an apprenticeship. You will learn on the job, while being paid, no matter how little. Once you have been with a company at least a year, you will have learned the bulk of what it is to be a driver. You will always be learning, but you'll learn 90% your first year. That's why so many employers require you to have at least one years experience.
    So look at the training programs. Some companies put you out there with a trainer for a couple weeks, then turn you loose.
    That's training?
    Some will get you licensed, then drop you before you're trained. But you owe them a whole lot of money for the 'school'.
    Find out what kind of training the school does. Will it do some yard training such as backing skills, docking skills and such? It should. You'll need those.
    Will they put you with a trainer who has experience? Some use people with 6 months total driving experience as trainers. There's the blind leading the blind.
    Go hang out at some truck stops, look for drivers and ask their opinion of the training they got in the beginning. You'll learn a lot.
    Then make your choice based on training.
    Good luck.
     
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  4. J.D.W.

    J.D.W. Light Load Member

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    Apr 5, 2010
    Ontario, California
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    That actually is something I am very much, probably more strongly than any other factor, taking into consideration. The question I'm constantly asking to myself.

    However, there's only so much information you can gather on your own, only so much of an informed decision you can make based off of the promises companies make to you on their websites and from the mouths of their recruiters - who are being paid to bring as many people into their schools (particularly so long as those people graduate in most cases) as they possibly can.

    At the end of the day, I can do all the research on my own that I have time in the day to do, and manage to convince myself that I've found the company that will train me best and I'll have the best chance of completing training and being employed with. But if all I have to go off of is what they tell me about it, then I could wind up being wrong and screwed, but that's nothing the company is gonna give a #### about, so long as they're still able to send me the bill.

    That's why I opened up this topic. Because I would like to hear straight from the mouths of the people who have gone through with the training with certain companies, and hear directly from them, not from the company representative who obviously has nothing in mind other than trying to get me through their doors and make a buck off of me, exactly what their experience was like.

    I do thank you very much for your post though!
     
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  5. J.D.W.

    J.D.W. Light Load Member

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    Anybody? Come on, I'm sure somebody's got something to say about their company training.
     
  6. JediTrucker

    JediTrucker Light Load Member

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    Feb 9, 2010
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    I definitely can't speak from experience, but I've heard Roehl and Millis Transfer have good programs, more than a couple of times.

    Also, since you're unemployed, maybe you could check into CareerLink or WIA funding for community college or tech school training. I just finished up training, myself, and the two other students with me had full funding through the government. They didn't pay a dime other than putting fuel in their cars to get to and from class. I know you said even that would be an issue, but the government funding might be worth looking into. And if you absolutely need to, see if you can get cash assistance to support yourself while going through training.
     
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  7. J.D.W.

    J.D.W. Light Load Member

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    Apr 5, 2010
    Ontario, California
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    I'll give that a look. Thanks man!
     
  8. Ready4it

    Ready4it Bobtail Member

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    Feb 5, 2012
    Dearborn Heights, MI
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    Did you find a good company school to go to? I'm looking for the same information.
     
  9. Jpatt

    Jpatt Bobtail Member

    Well man I honestly can't say that I have first hand information neither, but I have done tons of research and talked to people who have went the company paid training route. Im also looking for the right company myself and from all the research and stuff i've heard, Ive narrowed it down to 2 companies.

    Prime or Central Refrigerated.

    I cant say that either of them is the best company because at the end of the day its more of an opinion and what fits you the best. Central Refrigerated is a very fast paced course so if you think you can handle that then maybe thats for you, on the other hand, Prime will be much cheaper to go to since they pay for your food and other expenses for the first four days then your out with a trainer where you'll be paid 600 a week regardless of your miles. (Thats if I read it right so dont hold me to it). I got a good site that will help you make this decision, if you'd like, I can pm it to you. Its not to replace this site, Its just a site made to help wannabes find the right company. Best of luck with your search though.
     
  10. Ready4it

    Ready4it Bobtail Member

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    Feb 5, 2012
    Dearborn Heights, MI
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    Hi Jpatt,

    Thank you for your response. I'm actually helping my son research choices. We both liked Prime but didn't like that they are almost strictly OTR. We also liked Schneider but I have heard some negative feedback. He does have an Uncle that went to Drivers Solution. He was pleased with his experience but of course we have heard not to go there as well.

    He must go company sponsored so I guess we are looking for the best one. It doesn't seem like anyone has a really good opinion of the company sponsored schools. Any information that you have would be great.

    Good luck to you!
     
  11. Jpatt

    Jpatt Bobtail Member

    It just comes down to what will be the best fit for your son, Starting out id say its gonna be pretty hard to find something besides OTR but their is companies out there that offer other options right off the bat. I didnt know Schneider still offered paid training, If so I have heard good things about them, Im originally from Kentucky and I used to see Oranges trucks almost daily and my uncle went with them and loved it. He stayed with them for 3 years then got a local job, He said the training was good and the pay was average. I sent you a message so just check it out and see if that helps any.

    Best of luck to you and your son.
     
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