Baker College grads or students ?

Good luck wth your choice. I do not know much about Roehl but you will learn farther down the road, all the checks, (background, school, and others) that companies really do on you.

 

I told you I keep an eye on you guys. Thanks for paying attention in class!

 

What if there was another PTDI school that offered the best of Baker College at less cost and 6 weeks training? What if this school had the exact same instructors that Baker of Cadillac had before they downsized. Yes, I said downsized. I'm just asking. Do you think that there would be a market for students? We might be able to help. PTDI, better program, shorter and less expensive with the same emphasis on safety and quality. Sounds too good to be true but it isn't. Let me know what you think.

 

As usual..i get the best training from application and people who do this job everyday. I cant even start to tell u all the experienced drivers.from different companies and of course roehl who have given me wise advice and tips for free. I think the certification, at least in my case, is of no value. There are plenty of hoops that drivers deal with on a daily basis..why add another. Most likely just lucrative for those handing out the paper.

 

Our instructors have an average of 25-30 years OTR. A driver still needs to be well versed in HOS and regulations. I carry my Keller book with me and have actually taken it into a scale to argue a point. Being a professional driver is more than just driving. A good driver has to be part lawyer, part salesman, part mechanic and still get the load there on time and in good condition without hurting anybody. It's a lot to ask from a person and this career isn't for everybody. It sounds like you had a good experience at Roehl. I wish that more schools would have this positive effect on a new driver. I agree that the "paper" isn't what a student should be after but if you finish a quality school it is nice to have something that says that you are a professional and that you take the industry seriously. Driving a truck for a living is much harder than the public can imagine and it should never be treated as a "plan B". I also think that a truck driving school should not be part of the collegiate world. These people just don't understand our mentality. This is where I think that a school with college grade learning coupled with real world expectations will be a great success. We should make it affordable, thorough and quick. These guys want to go to work not go to college. This is just what I think. What do I know, I'm just a dumb ole truck driver!

 

Lol, at the customers some are really nice, some are neutral, and some just plain treat us like swine...i just dont understand the latter. Part of survival out here otr is learning and asking for advice/help. Its easy for me, maybe harder for some.

 

I myself went through Baker College of Flint driving program graduating in Sep 2010. I found the course very helpful unlike any other program in the nation. So much so that I moved for 5 months to live with my in laws in the Owosso area while going to school and leaving my wife and 3 small children in South Dakota.

You get out of the school what you put in. For those people saying they only got 60 or so hours driving why did you not volunteer for more? I know your situation might not of allowed it but it was/is available to those willing/able to get er done! I know I had over 250 documented (logged hours) of driving putting on 10,500 miles as I volunteered to drive as much as I could the 2nd semester at the school and also with Davis Cartage. I was constantly working Saturdays at Davis to get the experience.

As far as the price, all the 3 week courses i looked into at that time were in the $4000-$5000 range and Baker came it at around the $7500 range for 20 weeks worth of study and experience. Also at that time it was an accredited program and i was able to qualify for grants, scholarships, and low interest student loans.

Had I not taken this course i would not of gotten my 1st two jobs out of school and I would not of been at a company that got me home every week.

In the 4.5+ years I have been driving I have been away from home for a 34 hour maybe 10 times so I owe a lot to Baker for the experience they gave me along with the ability that it has given me in my jobs I have had.

I am now currently pulling a tank (2 years now) and loving it! I just recently (2 months ago) bought my own truck and now am an owner/op and loving that too but it also comes with the headaches too.

If i had it to do over again and know then what I know now would I do it again? ABSOLUTELY!!

 

SmallerHauler, Thank you! I am starting with Baker in Cadillac this month after conducting much due diligence with driving schools. This quarter 3k is coming off the top of tuition and so far they are holding my hand thru the financial aid/loan process. They have shared that companies call them wanting to hire their grads and that being an older female, job offers will come my way prior to completing this certification. Am definitely looking forward to excelling and surpassing...not just passing. Was additional training, from the first two companies that hired you, required? Looking forward to your response.

 

Please see my response/questions above.