Diesel Driving Academy

Hey everybody, I haven't seen any threads for diesel driving academy in little rock, ar so i'm starting one to document my experience there and also to garner the sage advise of you veterans out there. Feel free to chip in. Here goes..
After checking out a few differant schools in the area, I decided on diesel driving academy because it's a 20 wk course (25 wk at night) as opposed to the others which were 3 or 4 wks and I didn't feel that was an appropriate length of time to go from zero to driving a 35,000 lb vehicle with no previous experience. Also they are the only accredited school in the state which I liked. The staff is very friendly and down to earth and were a tremendous help in getting my funding for school. Total cost of school is ten g's but I'm only paying eight hundred out of pocket right now. After the initial interview and subsequent paperwork, I started class 4-26-10 so as of this posting, this was the first day of my second week. I chose night classes which would allow me to work during the day and I thought the experience driving at night would be helpful too.
So far the instuctors have shown themselves to do whatever it takes to help us along and have been up front and honest for the most part as to how the industry really is. (I'm taking my perception of how the industry really is from these boards first, not what they say) We started out as a class of eight and are already down to about six regulars. I say good ridence to all non-hackers. I expect it to be less than that in a few more weeks. We have about six weeks of classroom before we get hands on with the trucks. I'm not too fond of our classroom instuctor Albert tho. Granted this is his first class but the guy doesn't seem to have a clue sometimes. Great guy, just lousy instructor. Fortunetly, there's usually another sr. instuctor in the class who'll explain things better so I guess it evens out.
Anyway, I'ma quit talking for now and get back to reading the boards and my books. I'll try to post something informational at least once a week tho. 10-10 for now

 

Time for an update I suppose. Thanks to everyone that's viewed this post, responses and questions are always welcomed.
Well, I'm now halfway thru the third week. Only 22 more to go. Woo-hoo! So far we've been covering mainly gereral knowledge, combinations and air brakes in preparation to get our CDL permit. I think we take that test somewhere around week 10. Not really sure tho. Out of our original eight, we have a solid three, myself included, who haven't missed a day yet. There's three others that come sporadically, two of which I don't have much hope for making it past the halfway point.
My one complaint thus far would be the lack of a discernible curriculum. Being an accredited school with some history behind them, I would think that should be a given but apparently it's not. Could just be our instructor tho. Us three regulars usually discuss things among ourselves as asking our instuctor only results in more confusion. Can you tell I don't really like this guy? I can lol Let me say tho, my complaint is only with him tho, the other instructors at the school are knowledgable and helpful. Also this seems to be a driving only school (duh i guess) but I think it would be a cool idea to have a DOT officer come in for a Q and A and maybe some other industry professionals to give a more well rounded view of things and to further our knowledge of what come next, after we graduate. Luckily tho, I have you guys and have soaked up a vast amount of information from the boards so it won't be complete culture shock when I get out.
My only note of concern right now is the driving industy being crammed full thanks to driver mills. Only found that out after I got in school tho. Figures huh. I plan on hitting up the local companies when I get closer to graduation and I'm prepared to not get a job immediately so I should be fine. I hope. Always helps to have a back up plan. Anyway, that's my two cents for now. Be posting more later!

 

Geez this thread is boring. Maybe I should update it more often lol
Well, since the last time I've posted on here, our class got a different instructor. I was not the only one having the feeling I posted above so as a class we went to the school pres and informed him that our level of schooling wasn't on par with how much we were paying and two days later.. new instructor! It has been a world of difference. As the saying goes, you don't know what you don't know. Well, we found out. This wasn't the first time this guy has gotten complaints btw.
My class is in it's 6th week now. Still with the three regulars and four hit and miss. We would be on the pad full time but the hit and missers are really putting a drag on things so we're still mostly in the class room. Have gotten some experience in a truck tho, with straight line backing, drivers side alley docking and a lil bit of shifting a super 10. The mechanics of trucking haven't been too difficult yet as I'm no stranger to a trailer but it's going to be quite an adjustment getting used to the size and depth perception. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna love it tho We go test for our permits, I believe at week 11, and then the real fun begins and we can go out on the road then.
All in all though, this has been a good experience so far. It was a slow start and those of us doing good in class are anxious to start driving but overall I'm happy with it. I'll do my best to post a lil more frequently from now on!
Peace