Advice on a good CDL school in Southern CA

America Trucking School, Corona, Ca. $1200.

 

http://www.americatruckdriving.com

 

Just signed up with California Trucking Academy today. Their new building is at
921 Poinsettia, Santa Ana. They do the skills training somewhere near the Honda Center with 28' trailers. It's a 4 week class, however, they said they will let me
continue training if I need too. They seem like the faster, smarter, better alternative (or maybe just the underdog) to the established schools. Like California Career Schools in Anaheim or United Trucking in Santa Ana. I talked to reps from all three schools and found CTDA to be the best choice for me. United does their skills training somewhere in riverside. California Career does all their training at their facility and is actually closer to my home, but they don't seem as accommodating or professional as CTDA. As far as training on 28' trailers is concerned, they said they train with the 53' trailers after you develop some skills, but the pup trailers are actually harder to back. However, Job placement is really my main concern. These guys seem to have their stuff together and carriers are bound to recognize that. But, I can only tell you my opinion.

 

The shorter the trailer, the more difficult to back. While this is true, it is merely because the trailer reacts faster to the turning of the driving unit. compare backing the little wagon type trailer behind your riding lawnmower...think left..the trailer already went there. So with 53 ft. trailers, they react to the movement of the driving unit (tractor) slower, so all your movements in the tractor need to be based on the movement (or potential movement of) of the trailer.

Oversteering with any trailer while backing is where most all learning drivers make their mistake. Oversteer a 53, correctable in the manuever, do it with a 28 ft. pup...just pull forward and start over from square one!

Good luck!

 

Join the Teamsters and take advantage of their CDL school.....

It's not money directly out of your pocket..rather it's paid from dues members pay to the locals...

Since you'll have a year's severance...You can go to school more and get your CDL faster...
Most drivers who go to the school have to balance school with work.....You'll have a an advantage...

 

I'm just finishing up at CTDA (have my CDL, need one endorsement). Their in-class teaching method is to have you pay close attention to what is said in class, highlight the parts in the DMV book that they tell you to so you know what to study, and take some practice tests. If you do that you will pass the written tests. It works. Then you learn the behind the wheel skills which they are quite adept at teaching. I have no regrets that I spent my money there.

 

I dont know if this thread is still alive but I just talked to America Truck Driving School. $1495 and can get it done in 6 days. 20 hrs behind the wheel.

 

Thanks! I just called and for $1495 seems like the way to go