Bates Techinal School CDL program - 20 week program :O ( Tacoma, WA )

simon sez...obviously you should do what you want, but I would really recommend going somewhere besides Bates if you can find a way. You'll be spending 5 months to learn a 1 month course. I mean, if you could get in a class next week, or the week after, you could be working in 6 weeks. I was in class the following week after I decided I wanted to drive trucks. Say no to 5 months of cdl training.

 

More in depth would not mean harder. It would mean more practice, preparation, and companies hiring from the school (this one has a good reputation with local employers).

 

I hear you and agree, wonderkins. If it weren't for the fact that I am 50, SSDI, and not in a hurry I would have done as your saying and already be driving. I am now officially on the roster to start class March 10, 2014, lol. And I have a very good chance of actually getting in Winter qtr if anyone drops, for any reason.

Also, I have been to most all of the private schools in the area and talked to the counselors(recruiters) and a few students, a graduate from CDS too. This was while I was investigating Bates Tech too, talking to students/counselors. Most all of the drivers that come out of the private schools(such as CDS) are pretty much committed to a company that's paying for the schooling, unless they had the cash(1/3 up front) and even a lot to most of those students/drivers admit they signed with a company while in school, signed contracts even....and were most concerned with learning that jobs specific skills, while also learning a overview of the other that may become available. I just hope they like the job the end up running as it really didn't sound a lot different than cdl mills the big companies use. Don't get me wrong, I realize most all jobs come with some sort of contract, either way you go, and that when starting your still gonna have to jump through their hoops, their training and most likely be running with a trainer for however long.


My main thing is that, like I said, not really in a hurry at all, and mostly don't have a clue of what I want to do. I don't want to jump in head first and go full time OTR. LTL here on west coast, or even hauling containers out of the port maybe. I know that whatever I find to do I will have a better chance of being given consideration because of having gone through Bates. I really feel I'll have a better grasp of everything with all that training. It's amazing all they cover, yet you'd expect that considering how many hours in class/truck/and everything in and out of most all types of trucks--- And maybe I am wrong too and will look back at this post someday and say what a sucker I was......


And if I were young and needed a job--#####, I run right down the road and sign on with swift and be done with it. I know they train you to do what you need to do, for them, and most vans for that matter. I already looked in financing my own rig right out of the gate: what a fool mistake that would have been. I've learned that from this forum, lol. I doubt I will ever want to marry a tractor. I am not much of a business guy.....don't want to be either. If I were to however, it'd probably be a dump truck or the like and I would remain local. But I'll probably end up being a free security guard for some companies truck, and I am okay with that. I do know of a couple local companies that I'd like to run for.....like my neighbor that is home roughly 3 nights a week. He brings "his" beautiful tractor home with him every time too and is completely proud of it, washes it himself, and I believe it has most all the bells and whistles, lol---he treats it very well for sure....and I am sure he's guard it with his life, lol-----free security guard. That company only has like 40-50 rigs and I haven't seen one in the yard yet(Tacoma, 50 miles from here).

Anyway, that's my .02 on why I am doing the bates deal. FAFSA is paying like half of mine and I guess if you fit the right rqmnts they cover most all of it. I think a majority of the student are there for that reason---free under fafsa + grants. Fafsa I believe requires it to be a Tech School and 'x' amount of hours too.........Probably key to the length of the course. CDS does have a lot of different ways to be paid under DVR and other state programs too. Not saying they don't..... I was looking at paying cash and it was almost 5 grand and I 'd just rather learn all I can in my situation.

simon

 

Yes, camionneur, you are so correct about 'local employers!' Their rep is actually real good all over too; well, nothing bad is better way to say, lol. None of the companies I am checking out hire out of the schools without at least two years experience---bates being the exception. And I am aiming at one in particular. That being said, I not necessarily suggesting bates is for the masses either...to each their own.
peace
simon

 

Well guys, should you all attend Bates, please come back and tell us (or me) how the training was. I just hope it got better over the last 23 years. As I had a friend who attended Bates back then and after graduating he still could not drive a truck, much less shift. Needless to say he found another occupation. He said most of the training was done on simulators, with a minimum of actual road miles.
Anyway, hope they got better, and good luck.

 

If your friend stated that his training was primarily simulators, then I find it hard to believe that your friend actually attended Bates.

The Bates Technical School Community College commercial truck driving program is a PTDI (Professional Truck Driver Institute) certified school curriculum.Bates is an in-depth program that not only teaches every aspect of driving, but also provides many hours of on-the-road and over-the-road training in everything from dry vans to reefers to flat beds to pulling doubles. During my class, we would run three students to a truck while running from Tacoma to Portland, Seattle, Spokane, Baker (Oregon).... heck, we were all over the northwest, and even a few trips to northern California.

Bates has contracts to haul loads for various state and federal agencies. For example, we would load, drive, and unload refrigerated loads of groceries to various native american businesses and food distribution centers. Several times I drove flatbeds loaded with heavy equipment to military and forest service sites. We had extensive practice driving in both OTR and local urban centers. We got to know the roads throughout Tacoma, Seattle, and Portland pretty well. I had plenty of experience going through weigh stations, learning how to scale and slide axles to adjust axle weights, and parking at truck stops and rest stops.

The curriculum is comprehensive, but not difficult. There is a lot of lecture time, both by the instructors and by guest lecturers, and plenty of homework. Example: we became very knowledgeable about the FMCSRs, and I was very comfortable with the thick, little, green book in finding the answers on various issues. From the very first day in class we were trained and required to keep our logs and follow the HOS regulations. These we turned in every week for review and grading. A lot of class time and homework centers around vital skills like navigation and trip planning. Rand Mcnally trucking atlas and local maps only, no GPS allowed. Believe me, we became very proficient in navigation and trip planning, which helped me immensely when I graduated and was hired on to a trucking company.

Because Bates has both the commercial driving and diesel mechanics training on the same campus, we spent many hours learning the various systems on tractors, and getting our hands greasy with hands-on instruction. For example, we not only learned how the air brake system worked in class, we spent time under the trucks learning how to adjust the brakes. As the instructor for the mechanics program said to us, "The purpose for our time together is NOT to make you mechanics, but to be able to tell the mechanics on the phone, should you not be able to fix a problem yourself if you are broken down, what the likely problem is so as to minimize the time you are losing money.

Part of our training included becoming proficiently trained and certified in running forklifts, and in using various dock and truck loading equipment and load securement. We also became trained and certified in first aid and cpr.

We had field trips to places like one of the larger weigh stations along I-5, where we were guided through the weigh station procedures by one of the Washington State Patrol, and able to observe how the weigh station does its thing. A trip to the Kenworth/Paccar factory really helped to me to see what goes into tractor. Time was also allowed, as part of class, to get all of the endorsements on a CDL, after each was thoroughly covered in class. This also included the TSA security clearance/background check for getting our hazmat endorsement. Enough time was spent in the classroom and in homework so that all 9 class members scored 100% on all the DMV testing. Likewise, everyone passed the first time with high scores when we did our DMV pre-trip and road testing for our CDLs.

It would be difficult and extremely lengthy to detail how and why the Bates training is worth the time it takes verses the time it takes to go through a three-week program. All I can try to convey is that I came out of that training with the ability to immediately connect with my training driver/mentor as more of a team driver than a student driver. Jorge, my mentor, is a highly skilled O/O who takes our profession seriously. During our first days together, I was able to demonstrate what he needed to know to feel comfortable that I wouldn't get lost, that I could handle his rig with skill and care, and that I wasn't afraid to seek his guidance as needed. He seemed amazed that I was able downshift smoothly going up steep grades, and successfully handle the down-grades without the threat of burning up the brakes. I just explained that it was all of that mountain driving in school. When we needed to chain up going over Donner, he was very appreciative of the fact that I was able to quickly get my half of the chaining done without him having to spend time telling my what to do.

The basic and necessary skills I had learned and had practiced at Bates allowed me to focus a lot of my attention on learning the finer points of truck driving from Jorge. Things like using a pair of vise grips to clamp onto the locking lever, holding it out, when sliding the rear axle on trailers. How to make the most of the points on the fuel cards issued by the various truck stops. How to keep my cool and remain professional even when dealing with crap we all face from shippers, consignees, lumpers, 4-wheelers, and especially the company fools that you are leased to. I was able to learn the business issues facing O/O, and what tools are needed to run a successful truck.

Instead of struggling with mastering the basic skills, I was able to focus on sharpening and smoothing what I had already learned and to move on to more advanced issues that professional truckers must have in order to be something other than a steering wheel holder.

Yes, the Bates Technical Community College program is much longer than a three week school. But after attending Bates, I am extremely happy that I choose to do so. As to the various schools like CDS in Tacoma, they are very good for a 3 week school. I do not disparage their training one little bit. I am simply saying that there are excellent reasons for attending the Bates program, including the fact that Bates students are hired right out of school by excellent trucking companies, like Gordon, Haney, and TWT. Whereas those, and other high quality companies, usually require a minimum of 6 months OTR experience before hiring someone who graduated from a three week school.

 

That is all well and good, and I am glad that they are that extensive. But, I was speaking of 23 years ago, and I dont believe that you can relate that far back , unless you have understated your years of experience. Anyway, that is what I was told by my friend 23 years ago.
If that is the case, then you are correct Bates is a good school NOW. As for the others, they have their merit as well. I appreciate your advising me, and others, of the merits of Bates. I am glad that they are NOW better them my friend experienced 23years ago.

 

WOW!! And thank you so much for your time in sharing all of this, bbqguy!!! This is/was totally my impression of Bates right from the 'info class' I attended, and why I am adamant on going there as much as I am. I cant thank you enough! I just found out I may very well make it into winter qtr as well, as one of the guys had other issues come up. You have me excited, again, something that had almost been lost to some of the negativity I was finding here; trying to defend a program that I know so little about. I am going to write Jim Fields right now, lol, and share this with him....and make sure he knows I am still very much interested in getting in earlier than spring qtr if at all possible.
Again, I thank you, Sir!
simon

 

No, I didn't attend Bates THAT far back, I was still actively working in my pre-retirement career in public health. I meant no offense to you or your friend. You are correct, amigo, if what your friend's experience at Bates was the norm in 1990, then that was then and this is now. At least in 2008-2009.

 

Jim is a terrific instructor. He can seem like a cranky sob at times, but he helped me out a lot with developing my confidence behind the wheel. Something to keep in mind, the two different course emphasis classes, Local and OTR, will basically teach you the same things. There are obvious differences in the emphasis that is placed on these two categories of the industry, but if you get a slot in the local hauling course, you will graduate being able to haul OTR with no problem. So, if you can't get a slot in the one, don't be nervous about applying for the other.

Also, we lost two guys in the very first week because of failed testing. You usually have a few guys or gals who are just plain bag-O-rocks stupid and can't quite grasp the concept of drug testing and drug use. Make sure that you check in a few times during the week to see if any drop-outs have occurred. I would also recommend that you try to pick up the textbooks used for class as soon as you can, and at least become familiarized with them. You can order the FMCSR green book online, as well as any of the other textbooks. Just see if you can get a copy of the class syllabus or the book list.

Start studying and learning the pre-trip sequence. Exactly as stated in the Washington State Commercial Vehicle driver's guide. The pre-trip is one of the things which creates a lot of angst in students because 1). its mastery in front of a DMV tester is an essential element for the purpose of obtaining your CDL, and 2). the DMV testers are extraordinarily picky and take their power to pass or fail extremely seriously. Pretend that it is a script for a play, and that you need to learn the wording exactly as the lines in the book state. I am not kidding about this. The DMV inspectors will fail you if you vary too much from the wording, or if you take the sequence of the inspection too far out of logical progression. I developed a pre-trip list which put the inspection and wording into a logical sequence, and that was my script.

If you would like a copy of my pre-trip "script", email me and I will send it to you. It is a WORD file.

I found that I was able to solidify my skills and knowledge if I provided help to those who seemed to be struggling with things that I had a good grasp of. Teaming up in a group of three for a study group to practice things like the pre-trip was also very helpful. Going into the class with an iron will to succeed, a huge pool of patience, a willingness to help others, and the ability to keep your frustration levels in-check are vital elements for class. There will be dumb-##### in class; that is a given. But they are YOUR dumb-#####, and by encouraging them and treating them as true classmates it will go a long way toward preparing you for your career success in trucking.