Community College or CDL mill

Cost aside which one is better. I have the choice to go to either and could attend either for free (military benefits). I looked into Roadmaster CDL school and they start weekly, within an hour drive or so from me. Also a community college a little closer but still about an hour away but there are no mare classes this year and they are not showing the 2012 schedule yet. Both are 3-4 weeks long and give ample hands on training.

So with cost out of the picture is it worth the wait to go to the CC or just go ahead with Roadmaster?

One more question: I found a maintenance job that has good pay and benefits but require a CDL class A but does not require any experience. If hired on with them would I be better of skipping school and just testing on my own? The CDL is needed to drive out to remote locations to perform maintenance on heavy equipment.

 

Did you ask the employer at the maintenance job if they require schooling ?
Many have advised not wasting GI benefits on trucking school . No matter what type school you are going to be competing with thousands of other graduates as well as tens of thousands of unemployed experienced drivers .

 

They do not require any CDL experiance. They dont even require it to be hired. Just need it to move up into better position.

 

I'd go for it .

 

So if I do decide to go to school what would be better CC or CDL mill? At least if I did go to school it would help me go OTR if the maintenance job falls thru.

 

Honestly I would go to Future Truckers of America, it's in Asheboro they start weekly, just graduated from there. They are the best trucking school in NC. There was about 3 Military guys going through. Very hands on, and their teaching ratio is the best. Almost 1 to 1. Not the average CDL Mill.

 

http://futuretruckers.com/training.html

 

Most people would suggest going to a community college rather then a mill. I've read countless reviews on them and in the end, you either get a good instructor or you don't. Man have posted, expressing their concerns regarding the impatience of mill instructors who often push people rather then help them (as needed).

 

Thanks for the info. My local CC has a class starting 2 Jan so I might go to it. I am considering a move back to the High Point Lexington area so if I do that will change my school choices.

 

The Community College route is the hands down winner in my mind.

I recently went through this same decision process and it became abundantly clear during my research phase what the final decision should be.

Rather than retyping everything here, I'm going to refer you to another thread where I outlined why I think the CC route is better. If you're interested you can click on it below and go over and read it.

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/questions-from-new-drivers/161519-new-career-middle-aged-lady-truckin.html