Looking for texas or south texas school

Hey LTD,

I just finished my first week of the ACC program with Int'l Schools. TMC has several recruiting posters up in the classroom. I also talked with TMC over the phone a few minutes ago and she said that one of their recruiters would visit the school during this class term which ends on Jan. 25, 2013. As to the school, the instructors are good, but the facility is a bit rough and their trucks are older (mid-90's Peterbuilts). However, they have an excellent passing rate of their students. Also, if you want to come back later (after getting your CDL-A) to brush up on skills (i.e., shifting) you are entitled to 40 hours of training at no additional cost.

I have not visited the ATDS facility in Waco, but glanced at it while driving by on I-35. It looks like a nice structure and their trucks appeared to be late model rigs. However, for me, I did not want to be away from home for the schooling. Neither did I want to spend the extra money for a motel room, food, plus the additional $800.00 in tuition. Either choice will get you the needed training.

Oh, BTW, the ACC program is not an approved school for Crete, but ATDS is. The lady at Crete told me that after 6 mos. OTR, I could apply with them, but I am not interested in Crete anyway.

Good luck!

 

Thank you very much for the reply. I'm going to see if ATDS will negotiate their price just to have as many options open as possibly after graduation. If not I will enroll in the ACC program as they sound like a great school as well. I have heard from a few trucking companies that some schools will negotiate if your paying cash.

What companies are some of you looking at after graduation and why?

Where are the ACC graduates finding employment?

Thanks!

 

If you are still looking, I'm seriously considering going to C.R. England's school just south of Dallas. They cram it into 16- 17 days, $2000 if paid up front(including transportation to school and hotel). They say if you enroll this year, the 31st the last opening, and stay with them 6 months, you won't pay anything for school.. just $140 for license/ administation.

 

Hopefully, others will chime in here as well. A recruiter from US Express brought in pizza for lunch last thursday and made a good presentation, especially for those interested in driving as a team. I was told that both Roehl and Maverick had recruiters in during the previous class. Posters are on the walls from Werner, Schneider, Conway and TMC in addition to others mentioned here. I heard that a few grads have gone directly into the oil patch here in Texas with Nabors and Baker Hughes. This is all I know about potential hiring at the school at this time.

 

Thank you bigrig and atx for your replies. Thats a steal at $2000 for your cdl. Atx, any chance you know the next start date for ACC. It will be impossible I'm sure to get ahold of anyone at ACC until after the new year.

 

Call Rick Hidalgo, their Recruiter in Austin: Office: 512-223-7340 Cell: 512-587-9319. Not certain, but think their next class begins on 01/14/13.

 

Ok thank you for the contact info!

 

FYI - ran into another company that does not hire from the ACC program, Trimac which is a tanker company. They do hire from ATDS due to its being a school certified by the PTDT organization. They will, however, talk to me after I have a year of OTR experience.

BTW, just passed all of my written tests today with all endorsements except hazmat. I am now ready for the driving skills to begin on the 7th!

 

Congratulations!!! I think I have decided to go with ATDS just to have as many options open post graduation as possible. I have heard really great things about both programs. Please keep all of us updated as you progress through the school. Congrats again! Thanks to everyone that post on the boards, it really helps us new guys make the best decisions possible.

 

That was how I got my schooling, but being retired military, the VA paid 100% of it. As soon as I graduated, I went right to work for US Xpress and never looked back. When I looked around online, USX had a far higher reputation than CRE did. The only other one that even came remotely close to being considered was Stevens Transport. I know it's crazy, but I prefer the beautiful candy-apple red colored trucks over the black ones.