smith and solomon truck drvers school

Hey thanks for that info...I've heard a lot of good things about that school...

 

I"m researching schools to go to. S&S in Lakewood is only 10 minutes away from where I live which would be extremely convenient for me. However, I am thinking about SAGE over in Phoenixville, PA because they are PTDI certified and are the only school out there that guarantees that there will be 1 instructor and only 1 student driver in the cab. Add in there the minimum of 44 hours actual hands on the wheel imposed by PTDI standards and you have a win win situation to get a start.

I spoke with Taname today at Smith & Solomon and she couldn't answer my question about how many actual driving hours I would have and that it depended on the enrollment size at any given time, meaning waiting for other drivers to circle in and out of the trucks. I think that the best bang for my buck is to find a school that can put into writing how many actual hours my hands are on the wheel driving and not just "behind the wheel" since that often infers observation when there are 4 students in a cab driving around and swapping out. This is what the real cost of the tuition is for, the time and experience of actually driving. Although PTDI certified classes guarantee 44 hours driving, the PTDI checklist states that if you are applying to a non PTDI school to at least get it in writing that they can provide me with a minimum of at least 30 hours driving.

I know you probably can't remember since its been a while since you graduated by now but even if you could remember its not like you had a log book on you and recording the hours you had driving but could you guesstimate about how many hours you had actually driving?

Also, did you land a jobby job? If so, which carrier? I want to stay away from Werner, Swift, Pam, etc.. I've heard horror stories over there, slave labor, the companies bad safety records, pissed off dispatcher, the list goes on and on. The only 2 carriers I hear good stuff about is Schneider and Crete.

 

I don't think you will find too many companies that will give you something in writing that garuntee's you a specific amount of driving time. The fact that you found one impresses me. If that is what you will use to determine a good school or not, then stick with them. And, I feel obligated to say that I have heard just as many good stories about Werner, Swift, Pam, etc as I have heard bad ones about Schneider and Crete. Disgruntled employees will talk alot, but they rarely give all the details. Good luck in your search!!

 

I went to s&s in new castle, de. They did what they said would, get you ready for your cdl test. The instuctors were great, did not yell at you if you were having trouble with a manuver. I landed a job with tmc and have been there ever since. As far as hands on exp you will get a good deal. This mean s pti/airbrake test, 4 backing manuvers (straight line, offset, parallel and alley dock), and road time. They wont make you a trucker in the time they have with you. Remember you still have company training to go thru. They will teach you what you need to know the pass the test.

 

Crucify I went to S&S in Bordentown I am going with Pam transport. Yes it was a good school I agree.

 

Dirty, how do you like TMC? I could have went with them

 

Im doing well with tmc. Good pay, good equipment, good people to work with.