Experience with IITR ?

I'm going with May.

 

Is there a reason that you chose May over Gordon.

 

Pay while training is better, and the time training is dependent on how soon the trainer feels you're ready, rather than a specified time frame. Also, their main terminal is an hour away from where I live, and most importantly, my wife likes the color of their trucks. I've read pros and cons, but it seems the pros outway the cons.

 

... I mean outweigh the cons.

 

I start with IITR tomorrow Dec. 15th. I'll try to make weekly post to give other Newbs a better idea of what to expect.

So far all has gone well... They directed me to the employment office to get a grant to pay for most of the tuition $3200
I have to take care of the rest myself $1500
I believe they work with the VA as well.

 

What you can expect at IITR;
1st week - Some reading and watching videos. Quizes on what you've read and watched. Also during the first week you leave early each day so you can go to the DMV to take the Knowlege test and ALL the endorsements; Tank, Air Brake, Combos, Double/Tripples and HAZMAT.
2nd week - you get to start driving. You'll either start out driving with a 48ft. trailer or doubles. (I prefer doubles). You WILL learn how to DOUBLE Clutch... All the trailers have weight in them as well so you can get a good feel as to how trailers feel under a load. ((Some schools have you learn with empty trailers))... Also during the 2nd week when your not out on the road you're in the yard practicing your backing with short and long trailers. You also get to spend some time coupling and uncoupling a truck and trailer.
3rd week - more of the same except you get to drive in the cities around the school downtown Eugene and on curvy and hilly roads, school zones ect...And in the yard more of the same except you learn blind side backing.The trucks are in good shape. And the instuctors are pretty cool.. The office staff are nice and you get all the coffee you can drink :smt120

 

Fourth week at IITR.
More driving on various country roads. Lots of hills and curvy roads. Narrow roads. This is the week that you should fine tune your shifting skills and get ready for the state exam. The instructors are very helpfull in getting you ready to test.
Also this wek you take the school tests; Pretrip, Couple/Uncouple, Blindside and sightside backing and the IITR road test...
You have to pass all of the school tests in order to take the state CDL test with a third party tester on Saturday or Sunday.
Pay attention to the instructors and you wont have any problems. We did and all six of us passed with the school and state.
Woo Hoo!!!