Where to start?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Newtrkr713, Feb 15, 2007.

  1. Newtrkr713

    Newtrkr713 Bobtail Member

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    Feb 15, 2007
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    I am looking for a company to start with. 1) Should I go to a private driving school and then start my search? 2) Find a company and go to there school? I am in Houston, Tx any suggestions?
     
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  3. Road Dog

    Road Dog Medium Load Member

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    Just my Opinion.I would go to a good driving school.While you are in that school you will be visited by recruiters for a lot of major truckin cos.If you go to a company school you will be required to drive for them for a period of time,to pay for your schooling.I guess there are some good comany schools out there,read a lot of the posts on this sight,there is a lot of good info here.
     
  4. cdr

    cdr Light Load Member

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    Jan 1, 2007
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    if you pay for it yourself then you can call the shots. you won't have to contract to a company. your choices will open up then. r.d. is right. there will be plenty of recruiters at your school.
     
  5. grover

    grover Bobtail Member

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    Oct 12, 2006
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    Newtrkr713,go to Ask An O/O and look under "Looking To Get Into Driving",I explained how it worked at schneider for me in GB WI,Good Luck!
    grover :thumbup:
     
  6. Light Traveler

    Light Traveler Light Load Member

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    Feb 5, 2007
    Somewhere out there...
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  7. OceansideHog

    OceansideHog Bobtail Member

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    Feb 14, 2007
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    Checked out this site but no schools are listed in California and several other states as well. I do have a question since there are actually quite a few trucking schools in California.

    See http://www.jobsintrucks.com/Driver-Schools/California/

    So anybody know what's up with these schools not being accredited or what's the difference between them and PTDI schools? Thanks
     
  8. back on the road

    back on the road Bobtail Member

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    Jan 26, 2007
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    If you want a good school in Texas there is a Sage driving school in San Antonio Tx. Any company will accept them I'm sure, they are a very good school. They are at the community college. You can pull them up online by doing a search on Sage. They have locations across the US. Good luck.
     
  9. Light Traveler

    Light Traveler Light Load Member

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    Feb 5, 2007
    Somewhere out there...
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    Well the main difference is time and money. For instance, a friend attended a non-accredited school in Ark for two weeks and $400. That's not a lot of time behind a 18" wheel! On the other hand, I attended a PTDI accredited school, for 2 months and $1200. Notice the difference. However, you get what you pay for. Follow me?

    So to answer your question, PTDI is an organization that certifies a school's training regiment, based on standards set by an accreditation committee. This committee is usually made up of industry owners, executives, professionals, etc. They meet, and discuss how to make the industry safer by implementing consensual standards. Usually, they recieve input from governmental agencies, carriers, other schools, safety experts, and insurance companies.

    Therefore, if possible you definately want to attend an accredited school. The standards are higher, the equipment is usually better, and so are the instuctors. I willing to bet that most of todays schools that are not accredited are in the process of getting accredited. Here's a web site in pdf form that list PTDI standards for truck driving schools:

    http://www.ptdi.org/standards/entry_level/skillstandardsentrylevel.pdf
     
  10. OceansideHog

    OceansideHog Bobtail Member

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    Feb 14, 2007
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    Thanks for the info Light Traveler!

    The school I inquired about in another thread somewhere is 5 weeks/186 hours. United Truck Driving School.

    It is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT). The PTDI website lists a total of 0 approved schools in California for some reason? Anyway, not traveling out of California to get a CDL in California if that makes any sense?

    This school is also listed as working with the Employment Development Department (EDD) which might mean my unemployment benefits could pay for some of or all it? Today being a government holiday and all I couldn't get answers.
     
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