Special Alert!!! Truck Driving Schools

the WIA ( Workforce Investment Act ) is a state run group of folks that help pay for/train displaced workers, like myself, get schooling to become productive citizens again. I had to get a prehire letter from a trucking company before WIA would pay the $4000 to one of the local trucking schools here in Columbus, Ohio.It is my impression that WIA doesn't care which school that they are paying for, as long as the school is accredited. I could choose either Roadmaster which is a 7am to 530pm M-F 3 week program, or TRI State which is an 8am to 6pm every day straight through for 19 days.
Since WIA pays for the schooling would there be any reason for me to suspect that either one is going to be a bad idea. I won't be paying back anything to anyone, so there's no reason to be paranoid is there?
Upon getting my CDL-A I'm planning to get a 6-7 car hauler trailer & find a decent sleeper semi to pull it.
If your state has funds available through the WIA or other program and you're questioning yourself whether you qualify, you might try saying that you are a displaced worker. By definition, a displaced worker is one that doesn't have a job to go back to, that it was eliminated or that economic conditions relative to your qualifications in your area( like home building for instance) isn't likely to recover soon and you need retrained into a different field altogether. You'll likely have to go through an orientation and testing to determine that you're going to be a good fit into the trucking/driving industry. The testing they require is nice for your own well being as well because it tells you what your aptitude levels are and you may see that there's something totally different. They just want you to train into a field that has a growing demand for workers. Fortunately, Trucking is in the TOP 5 Nationwide.

 

You can't haul freight from a shut down factory. So I am of the opinion that most of these programs do not address the cause of the problem. It is like putting a bandaid on a cancer.

 

I am currently attending C1 in Indianapolis and they have been completely upfront with everything, and I even had to sign an acknowledgment that if I had any concerns with the school that I could register them with the TN Higher Learning Commission because I am from TN, and you cannot register a complaint with them if the school is not accedited by them, the Tuition is $5995.00 regardless of you drive for they get you job placement with a carrier and if you finish a year with the carrier they waive $4000. and you owe $1995.00 that you pay out at $45.00/wk through payroll deduction, over your first year, they have given me copies of every stitch of paper that I have put my signature to, they provide housing at a decent hotel, and my roommate has been above board as far as I am concerned. The instructors at the school so far have been great, and I can only say if people are having trouble passing its because they do not put in the time to study properly, and they haven't learned their pre-trip inspection.

 

Well i went to roadmaster in orlando florida...I was told that a trucking company would pay for my school...stupid of me not reading the contract that was like 20 pages long..so right before the last week i was told they needed to check my credit and i told them i have bad credit like i told them before i signed the contract...well to make a long story short i was told i cannot continue and i still owe them like 5 to 6 grand...but after like 10 years i now have a collection company stating they will settle for 600 which is 10%...

 

Statute of limitations is out in florida. Do not pay squat !!!!!

 

jtrnr1951...Explain that to me would you please....

 

http://credit.about.com/od/statuteoflimitations/g/flsol.htm

 

Bogey, that would be a good plan except the insurance companies are not going to touch you without experience. So you'll have to hold off on buying your car trailer and semi once you get your CDL

 

I attended National Training, Inc. Orange Park Florida. The actual school is in Green Cove Springs but the office is in Orange Park. The overall training at the school I thought was excellent, the instructers were all ex otr drivers, with good input. Plenty of time behind the wheel on their onsite courses with plenty of offsite and in city driving. Along with the online courses I feel like I learned alot. Now for the down side, the school rep or requiter lied to me with every breathe, promised job placement (did not happen at all school placement reps first words were "I am not here to get you a job, I cant get you hired" the people there that got hired were a group of students that all worked together calling different companies and setting up employment. From the beginning I told the salesman that I had an accident in which I was found at fault the ticket was Failure to use due care, I made it clear that if this would be a problem I would keep my money ($5000) He said he checked with the office it was no problem "I provided a copy of my MVR to make sure, I was gauranteed it was not an issue". Guess what its a major issue now I owe even more money I dont have and I am still not working. So if you are looking for a school that you are sure will get you a job after your license National is not the place.

 

Generally speaking, you're probably right. BUT, since I was employed with a transporter company in Elkhart, Indiana that transports campers, boat, And autos, I can just go back with them when I get the setup to haul cars. Actually, everyone that wants a trucking job can go get their CDL-A, get a good P/U truck, and go work in Elkhart, Indiana and start delivering campers now. But please don't do it, Because if you do there will be less for ME to deliver.LOL. Backhauls are becoming more popular now with the transport companies since they know THAT is the only way to hold onto the new drivers.
Its so easy, and fun delivering campers too.