A tough transition

Thanks, brother I hope so too! If I'm not mistaken the the week class is a month long, so no worries there lol. however, I livevery close to the Hinesville campus so I'll head over there tomorrow morning to get specific details for you.

The Effingham campus isn't bad but the pad looks tight - because it is, but you get used to it. The class is held outside underneath one of those metal car port overhangs, so be sure you dress appropriately lol. It does seem like they would have more choice around here, but the weekend course is why I jumped on because of my schedule. anyway, I'm on my phone so I'm sorry for the bunched up message. I'll relay the info I get for you tomorrow.

also, not to plug anything but if you don't mind hazmat, being a tanker yanker seems the way to go. I'll be parking my truck at the Savannah terminal when I get done with orientation and time with the trainer. maybe I'll see you there.

Have a good night!

 

Hey Anarcrothe, as promised I went to the Hinesville campus and got some information for you. They changed some of the requirements and some costs have gone up, so I'll give you a break down of what you'll need and a roll-up of the costs. Firstly, I recommend that you go to fafsa.ed.gov so that you can apply for the Hope grant if you haven't already done so - it'll lessen the out of pocket costs quite a bit. When you go down ther (if you choose to attend of course) you'll fill out the application, take a Compass test for Math (I'm horrible at math and I made it), turn in your highschool transcripts (and College transcripts if you have them).

Now the leg work.

- Go to the DSS and get a copy of a 7-year MVR, which should cost you around $8.

- You'll also need a DOT physical and drug screen before you register. The only place that Savannah Tech. authorizes is the Health Awareness Enterprises clinic, which is at 1481 Dean Forest Road, Building 200, Suite C, in Savannah. As long there isn't a line, it doesn't take long; they take your blood pressure, you answer some questions, talk to the doctor and pee in a cup. For that you pay $75.

If you want to go ahead and get your permit, you can - but the first two weeks are all class room and they go over the CDL handbook and what you need to know for the general knowledge, air brakes, and combination tests. However, if you choose to go ahead and get it, get the CDL handbook from DSS and they charge $10 for ther permit (upon completion of the multiple-guess tests).

Now, I gave you some bad information on the length of the course, I thought it was only a month, but it's a little bit longer than that. The next available course starts October 16th and lasts until December 3rd. I'm sorry for that bad information, I should have checked on it before saying anything, but now you know, and knowing is half the battle. That's what G.I. Joe always told me.

Now for the break down of costs, assuming that you're going completely out-of-pocket. Some costs have gone up since I attended.

Tution: $1,125.00

Registration: $50.00

Activity Fee: $25.00

Fuel Surcharge: $185.00

Total Tution and Fees: $1,446.00

If you use the Hope grant, the Savannah Tech. estimates that you will be paying $899.25 in out-of-pocket Tution/Fees.

Now as for the roll-up of "Additional" expenses:

Application Fee: $20.00

MVR: $8.00

DOT Physical/Drug Screen: $75.00

CDL Application Fee: $35.00

Learner's Permit: $10.00

Log Book and FMCR Handbook: $7.75 (Savannah Tech. sell them on campus, but if they don't have them you can get them at any Truck Stop for about the same price)

Atlas: $20.00 (Same as above, I got the same Rand McNally Atlas at Loves for $18. )

Road Test Fee: $50.00

CDL Lcense Fee: $20.00

Additional Endorsements: $5.00 (Tanker/Haz-Mat, Doubles, Triples)

Truck Rental: $150.00

That's the no-bull run down, brother. If you get your Haz-Mat endorsement you have to get fingerprinted, which is the same place you get printed for the TWIC if you choose to get one. If you choose to get the TWIC, Schneider will re-emburse you for it once you're hired on (if you choose to go with them, and remember keep the receipt unlike me). If I remember correctly, the TWIC cost $132.50, and it takes a long time to get back, around 6 to 8 weeks. However, if you do them both at the same time, it costs less.

I hope that answers all your questions about Savannah Tech., at least the costs and such. If you have any more questions I'll be more than happy to help with what I can.

 

Hey, no problem brother. I hope everything works out for you, just listen to the instructors, don't get too far ahead of yourself and don't panic lol.

Class is fun though, I made friends that I still talk to. if you make a mistake just learn from it. the real learning for us will be when we get with our companies.

Be sure to keep in contact I want to see how it goes, and I'm sure others do too.

 

I Thank you Coopnp, it was an honor. Leaving my wife will be very hard, but I know we can handle it, it's just going to take a lot of adjustments. Once I get a dispatcher I'm going to remind him often that I'll need that time off for the delivery, I can't miss that.

I'm not too concerned with the pay yet, I know I have to do my time and learn the ropes before I can expect anything great. I'm hoping tanker will be the right choice, like you said. Reohl was very tempting, I wanted to run flats but I have too much wear on my knee already. how is the box side of the house there?

Thank you for your advice, and come december I'll have a picture up of my little girl.

 

Thanks Plentygood, I may need as much luck as I can get , haha.

 

Well, I finally got on the bus at around 0800 this morninguyen. saying goodbye to my Wife was probably harder this time around than it ever has been before, probably because of the baby. her hormones seem to effect me too!

I have stops all over through place, transfers in Atlanta, Chicago and finally be in Green Bay around 1520 tomorrow. I'll keep y'all posted!