Baker College grads or students ?

Not a grad, but you have to be a Flintstone to even know about their trucking program..

 

Because the only Baker College I know of with a trucking is in Flint, making you a flintstone if you lived around there. At least that's what we said when I was around there...

 

half way through my second quarter at Flint, MichaelT

 

The program is full academically but light in hands on. I'll have 128 hours of classroom and less than 60 behind the wheel. For me and based on what I'm hearing from classmates, the behind-the-wheel time is not enough. A significant portion of last quarter was learning about motor carrier responsibilities when dealing with DOT. That's not essential.

The equipment in Flint is rough. Currently, out of 7 tractors, 3 are down. All but one are 94/PB. 8 trailers, 3 OOS.

I've been told by an instructor on more than one occasion: "What that 'other' instructor told you was wrong. Don't do that." For example: When dropping a trailer: 1} ( in class and one the range by instructor a) leave the landing gear one inch off of the ground
2} ( one the range by instructor b ) landing gear 1/4 - 1/2 inch off of the ground
3} ( on the range by instructor c ) landing gear firmly on the ground.

Also, been specifically told { two separate times } by an instructor when starting a pre-trip before road work: "Just check the oil!" Later, reprimanded when I answered his question: "Did you check all the lights?" with: "No. You told me to just check the oil." Written up on the post-trip instructor's evaluation: "Incomplete pre-trip."

Another issue: not only is the total amount of driving 'light' but the frequency between session ( one week ) is way too long for me. I'd be much better at 2 - 3 hours, twice a week, than one 4 - 5 once a week.

Forklift training: class room work only. Load securement: class room work only. If that's considered sufficient, why can't learning to drive be class room work only? { I know, stupid question? }

The program is very expensive { twice what most shorter programs charge } especially for results = passing the Michigan 3rd party test. Last quarter's Flint class: 19 students, 11 failed. YIKES!!!

So, I guess that this is my way of saying, at least for the Flint program, I would not encourage someone to enroll unless that was their only option.

Long answer but my thoughts.

Hope it's going well for you. Have you thought about a starter company?

Good luck!

 

Your right, of course. It does take work and much of it is worthwhile. 3/4 of the way through, I feel that it would benefit from more hands on. For someone starting out from scratch, it certainly is comprehensive and complete. Some of the instructors here are relaxed but some have pretty sharp edges and are intent on making sure that the roles of instructor and student are clearly defined. Someone classmates who lack some self-confidence can take it pretty hard. The result of a less than 50% pass rate for the state test is not, in my opinion, acceptable for a program that costs close to $8000.

As far as each instructor having their own way of doing things, I understand that. You and I will, hopefully, both be safe and productive drivers but have our own way of doing some things. However, in my opinion, instructors should be on the same page and the last thing that one should do is infer that another instructor is flat-out wrong. That potentially puts into question anything that the student was told by the instructor that is, supposedly, in error. The easiest thing to initiate and the hardest thing to overcome is doubt. I feel that, if one instructor questions another, the two should settle it with the program coordinator.

I have heard much more positive things about Cadillac/Lake City. I live 7 miles from the Flint campus so that was the obvious choice.

I bet you're learning how to drive in snow; not a useless skill.

Your points about other benefits are good ones. Because Flint is a technical program, the credits would not apply to a traditional four year bachelor's degree program. They might be honored by other technical programs or by Baker.

Good talking to you. Again, have you got any ideas about companies to drive for?