The Great CDL School Debate

I was seriously looking at them too. I even completed all the eGears online training and was thinking of heading to C1 in indy last Sunday to start.

Ask to see their hiring agreements....

However, I was warned by others to avoid them due to hiring contracts, short training time, and things like the carriers pushing lease agreements and/or escrow accounts. So...I skipped them to look for a school that offers more training.

Just my $.02...hope it helps you somehow.

 

I am broker than broke and was going to go to C1 until I heard way too many negative things about P.A.M. and USA so I opted for Central Refrigerated instead. It cost me a total of $215.00 to attend the school and attain my learners permit and my CDL A. The training pay is better at $450.00 a week with no deductions from the company during those 4 or 5 weeks. I felt like the chances of getting miles was much better there because the freight is food & beer and that stuff sells regardless of the economy or season.

 

I'm going to Great Lakes Truck Driving School in Cleveland, OH.

My Brother-in-law, who has a dedicated run now, went there.

They claim their placement rate is 78%. It appears that these instructors used to work for Hamrick Driving school but, they left there due to business disagreements.

My schooling at GLTDS is going to cost me $5250! I'm taking the Premier Driver Development Program / Option 1. It is ...

125 Hrs classroom instruction
40 Hrs straight truck / passenger bus
20 Hrs Dump truck
255 Hrs Tractor Trailor Class A
160 Hrs Externship with a national carrier

This doesn't appear to be a "CDL Mill" when I compare Hrs of training with other schools. It is 600 Hrs of training. I know I won't be a Pro after the school yet but, it seems like a good start. It's comparable to the Hamrick 600Hrs Master Driving Course but, it's about 5k cheaper. I visited the school and ALL the 6 rigs were working. They teach 9, 10, and 13 speed trannies.... not just auto and 10's...(I hope I got that right. LOL)

They will also work to find WIA, Pell, and VA grants for students to help them pay for training.

 

1 in 5 chance,

you will end up without a job !!!!!!!

 

I would love to go with them, but apparently they don't hire out of Florida....