Trucking Schools...Do they just want your money?

Trainco is a very good school, been around for many years, offers job placement assistance. I attended and graduated over 2 years agp. I had no problem getting a job or job offers. Stay away from companies that offer fleece (lease) programs, not good for rookies.

Overall my experience was very good with trainco, if I can answer any other questions or help out let me know.

 

First, YES all the schools want is your money......

Now $3995 isn't to crazy over priced, I'd check out your local community colleges to see if they have a truck driving school they have the best training and can cost $700-$2500. Do your research though look around for a cheap school by all means but make sure the school is at least 160 or more hours and call some companies to make sure they hire out of the school before you commit.

Try to stay away from company schools if at all possible. No need to be financially tied to your employer unless thats your only way to get your CDL.

You shouldn't have to do a refresher course, if you go straight to work after school. Some companies will only hire your within 30 days of graduation (KLLM for example) some are like 90 days, I'm doing a refresher course now but I haven't drivin since March 2008. Now if your out of school for a few months some companies may require you to either go back to school all over or take a refresher course.

No school can guarantee you a job! even though some schools claim they can....



Good Luck! and Welcome to the Forum!



American Trucker

 

Like they said do research. There is only 2 local schools that are close for me and i did my research for both and a guy who owns a truck company told my mom to tell me to stay away from one cause he is a crook and well the other one that i went to called biddix trucking school had job placement and looked really professional compared to the other one it was $3995 and it was 4 weeks so went through it and finished a couple weeks ago and they taught everything i needed to start my career and i didnt get cheated once through the whole program they even said if i end up needed a job in the future come back and they will help me

 

As a "graduate" of one of those company schools I can tell you that American Trucker is 100% right about this; but that's not the only reason to stay away from a company-sponsored school.

Truck driving, contrary to what most people seem to think, has a definite years-long learning curve to it. These CDL mills will teach you just enough to pass the test, and that's it. When you get into your first rig you'll be surprised at how much stuff they never even told you about; and I'm talking about stuff that should have been basic material. As much as I like this job, every day I'm finding out just how much I don't know.

From talking with other drivers I've learned that many community colleges offer CDL courses which are far more in-depth than what you usually see at the CDL mills. If I'd known better I would have went this route instead of owing my present company a few thousand dollars. At least I would have received a better driving education and, as a result, would have been better prepared for the road.

You shouldn't take shortcuts on the quality of your driving instruction: it is far too easy to screw up royally in this job to rely on half-####### mentoring.

 

Currently in school at Crowder College and you get what you pay for. It is a 5 week course and it cost 3125.00 plus 595.00 for room and meals if you stay there. sure they all want your money but in my honest opinion you will get your moneys worth here at Crowder. No affiliation to Crowder other than a student.

 

When I applied for a cdlb job the recruiter said I had to take the course if I haven't driven in the last 6 months. You shouldn't have that problem after you graduate. Also I'm going to a tech school from the county and its costing $2100 for my cdla which I'm getting for free with a trust fund. The private schools are $6000 in my area.

 

Everything said so far is good. However, I'm going to come at this from another direction.
Most people go to school, then look for a job and sometimes find out that school isn't accepted at the company you want to work for or some companies won't consider you because that school wasn't 'on their list'.
So I would advise you start talking with companies you are most interested in. As another poster said, trucking is a learning process and there is a lot of information you will gain especially over your first year.
Ask the companies you are most interested in which schools they accept students from. Ask them directly about the schools you're considering.
If the company is legit, if the school is accredited, then there shouldn't be a problem. But this way, you know in advance.
I always advise against going to a company sponosored school. You are indentured to that company for X amount of time and if you leave, you owe....often times much more than it would have cost to have gone to a private school locally.
I drive for a company that both takes and trains newbies and has a CDL school. Every student that I have seen come out of the CDL school is well trained.
However, as good as I think that company is, I advise people (if asked) to seek out a private school of your choice.
In the event you start with a company and after x amount of time decide it isn't for you, you are free to get up and leave and go to another company. That is worth more than you can realize at this point.
Now to your original question. Are CDL schools in it for the money? Sure!
So are trucking companies, colleges, the local barber shop and convenience store.
That's what business is all about!
That doesn't make them bad. They are there to help you get a CDL. Period!
They are not going to train you to be a driver. They are there to get you licensed.
The company you go to work for is who will train you. That's why it's important you check out each company IN ADVANCE. Your first year's training is the most important if you want a good career. Don't pick your first company because they have great trucks, a nice web site, or deliver freight to your hometown...pick it for it's ability to train you. Odds are, no matter which company you go to work for, it will be a 'training' company and you will leave them after a year or two for greener pastures.
It's the nature of the beast. They are there to train you. If you find they work well with you, you may decide to stay on. It happens, but odds are you'll move on.
So find a company that will train you best.
Every training company expects you to know just enough to make you dangerous. They expect to have to teach you.
The company I drive for expects recruits to be honest, in good physical shape, have a decent work ethic and when first arriving be able to drive a course around the area where you don't run over grandma, hit more than a couple curbs, be able to make your shift at least 50% of the time and not drive on the sidewalk.
When they are done with you, you'll be a well trained, safe driver with confidence to take you most everywhere. I specifically am not naming them because I am not a recruiter. I'm just giving you my opinion on how to get started.
Do your homework. Good luck.

 

I personally think the private schools and the companies that train are both "CDL mills". That's the service you pay for, both having their advantages and disadvantages. For the schools, yes you may get more in-depth training on certain things, and yes you may not owe a trucking company for the financial sponsorship of training you.

But realistically, the schools teach you no more than equipment operation and regulations. They cannot provide the real experience in the daily life of a truck driver. You may get quality training, but it still lacks a lot.

Some trucking companies have a good training program and some do not. Typically a student is with a trainer anywhere from 3-8 weeks or so 24/7. IF they have a good trainer, you will learn things far beyond equipment operation and regulations, that no private school can teach.

I think both sides offer an excellent service providing you get with a good training school or training company.

I think if you are getting your cdl through a trucking company DO YOUR RESEARCH. Don't sign on with a company unless you know all there is to know about that company. Pick one that you think will provide what you are looking for and could stick with for years to come.

No matter how you are trained, company jumping in the first 1-2 years only hurts the driver and makes it harder sometimes to get on with another quality company. And no matter how you got trained, if you find trucking is not for you, you still have a loan to pay off.

Just my two cent opinion. Happy trucking to all and god speed.

 

I would suggest one of two better options.....

Either go to your community college and go through their CDL program...or join the Teamsters.....

The Teamsters have various CDL upgrade schools and for example...In Cali they had a "Work-site" in conjunction with the Operating Engineers......
You not only learned to drive the various road rigs but also gained experience on "Water-pulls" and off road dumps.....