Could this be a problem??

3 weeks full time would be 120 hours. Couldn't say if 120 hours is the most common length of paid out of pocket school programs but it seems to be pretty common.

 

Why is it that with more training hours, more regulations, nanny systems etc that drivers keep getting progressively worse?

 

Because laws arent enforced. People are trained from a young age to not give a #### about anyone around them and that work ethics are for fools? Also doesnt help that with all these extra rules and buzzers and beepers everyone is always on edge fearing losing their job becasue some computer and DEI karen hire who has never even SEEN one of the trucks she is in charge of started screaching "DISTRACTED DISTRACTED DISTRACTED!!!!! YOU HAVE GOTTEN 10 POINTS ON YOUR LICENSE!!!" Every time they so much as scratch their nose.

 

Because people like my son, who have driven farm equipment and trucks since grade school aren't going to take two or three months off work and pay a big tuition fees so they can get a lousy job away from family with poor pay.

 

I agree. There should be retesting for sure. I’d even be all for pulling into a scale and being tested on the spot. Instead of random drug testing (or as often) start pulling new drivers in to be retested quite frequently in their first 5 years and every time they have an offence.

 

I took Roadmasters 3 week course 22 years ago this June, in a 10 speed Volvo, having never been around trucking. 1 week classroom, 1 week backing pad, 1 week on the road. Everything worked out fine for me and the others I attended class with.

 

My cdl school was 2 weeks or 10 working days; off weekends. Worked out just fine. Got all the endorsements also.

 

I got licensed in around a hour. I had driven some farm stuff. Got a permit to ride with CDL. Iirc free just copied my Class B. Did a run. Soon trainer went to sleep in bunk. I got back week later, took written. Examiner signed off on the road test. Seems he knew of the area, people. That I drove everything from unicycle to semi trucks well. *unicycle just barely* still fearing I will clip a mailbox, or put tires in ditch.
Actually have hit two mailboxes but not in semi.
Pickup 21’ wide farm implements. No damage to either. Called owner, offered to drive back, pay for damages. “If you had not called, I likely would not have noticed. Forget about it”
I drove grain truck when I could not reach clutch unless edge of seat using steering wheel.

 

I got my CDL from a 3 week TDI/CDI school in '94. But I had a job waiting for me the day after graduation. Just going to CDL school is not a guarantee of a job, no matter how many dishonest reporters and ATA people shout truck driver shortage, there is no truck driver shortage. There are EXACTLY as many truck drivers as the current pay and conditions can attract. People that won't look into what they are about to do deserve to be swindled and broke. Make good decisions. Nobody cares more about your life than you. Nobody has a job of protecting you from your choices.