Input on Sage Technical School in Kingman, AZ????

I'm currently going to the Sage school in Missoula Montana. I like what I am recieving here so far. The instructor to student ratio is awesome. If you're driving, it's one on one. if you're doing a range session, (backing excercises, shifting etc.) it's two to one. We have had two recruiters talk to us so far, Werner and Watkins Shepard. I'm halfway complete with the school, and I have a Oreintation date set for Watkins, and Werner already.

The first week was CDL training, DOT Physicals etc. At the end of the week we went to the DMV and tested for CDL General Knowledge, Combination, Doubles/Triples, Air Brakes, and Tanker.

We went and got fingerprinted for Hazmat, once our background checks are done, we go test at the DMV.

All in all I'm happy. I know it's not the school in Arizona, but I imagine they are set up the same way.

From all the horror stories I have seen on here about company sponsored schools, I'm pleased with my choice

They push Werner and Swift, but their logic is sound. Get job offers first, and then pick and choose towards the end of your class. Worst case scenario, you work for a starter company for a year, and then move to a company that more suits your needs, once you have experience and have proved yourself.

The instructors are all experienced truck drivers with decades behind the wheel.

Good luck man!, Sorry about the long post.

 

No problem man, I researched before I chose a school too. The thing I liked the most, was that I don't have a contract upon completion. The main thing is to just stay away from CRE. I have heard good and bad about Swift, but with them being such a large company, that is understandable. (To be honest, I haven't even applied to Swift.0

If you are interested in particular companies, do your due dilligence, and research them online. Call their recruiters, because some companies have their own schools and will not take students from other schools. Check the threads here, and take the negative ones with a grain of salt. If someone posts a negative thread about a company, and that is there only post on this site, I assume that they messed up, and are just upset that they got caught.

I read the "discuss your favorite company" thread for most of my info. It's a lot rarer for someone to say something positive online, than it is for someone to bash a company because they are butthurt.

Remember, if you choose company sponsored training, it may seem free, but if you leave before your contract stipulates, or before it is paid off, you repay the balance of your school.

From what I have read, Sage provides better training overall due to the Student to Instructor ratio.

If you have any problems in school, (in my case, blind side parallel park,) the instructors will take the time to make sure you get it. (In Montana, the parallel park is not required for CDL, but they teach it, because it is something you may encounter in the real world.)

That's about it, it is a bit more spendy than some other schools, but you get what you pay for. Many states have programs to cover the cost, or if you are a Veteran, like in my case, you can use your Chapter 33 Post 9-11 GI Bill. (And get a extra $1100-1500 for living expenses.)

 

GWG did you go out and talk to Sage in Kingman. I am interested in that school also. I have looked at AIT in Phoenix. They look good. Promise prehire before classes. But, they seem a bit pricey at $4,000 to $9,000. I'd like to here what you fouind at Sage.

 

I called Sage at Kingman and the Phil said they are moving in 3 weeks and he does not know where. They should be doing classes again in 7 weeks. Just my luck.