Private trucking school vs. community college?

I think the unemployment office in Tampa pays for Roadmaster.

 

I second pursuing WIA. It took about 5 weeks to do all of the paperwork, etc., but its worth it. Also, I'd consider pursuing whichever program includes endorsements. There are 2 here in town, but only 1 does tanker and hazmat training so I went there.

 

I haven't posted on the forum in a while because I was getting my CDL, (again) and just landed a local job. (like today) This is my 2 cents sir.


If you won't be homeless, do the cheaper, longer school at the community college. You'll get more education, which is never a bad thing, and college credit for the courses. Well, at least I did etc. (14 credits at that) For example, if you ever decided to become a grease monkey, (Diesel Tech) you probably need at least a CDL B to test drive what you're working on.



I was faced with a similar choice a few months back; just like you are now. There are two schools where I live out here in the middle of nowhere. The 3 week $3500 one and the 16 week PTDI certified college course which I spent maybe $500 in total for. I could of afforded either one. Both would of gotten me my CDL A again, but in the latter I got to drive like 10 different kinds of trucks, flatbeds unloaded and loaded, split axle, single axle, 28-53' vans, 10, super 10, 13 speed transmissions etc, and the school would even change up the tractors and trailers so you REALLY had to learn backing maneuvers. (not just a single truck with "tricks" to pass the state test) I even got to drive a set of doubles for 6 hours - stuff I never got to do back in the late 90's when I "hung it up" the first time. (I was young, stupid, drove for C.R. England etc) Your college might be a little better or worse; there isn't any way for me to know, but I bet it's better if my example is the median.



When I went "job shopping," I'm fairly convinced the extra hands on training, the PTDI cert etc helped me land a local tanker job when I showed them my extensive driver portfolio. (which I learned to make in the class - would a 3 week course do this? Probably not) Yes, I feel very lucky right now not to have another OTR job and I think I made the right choice even though it didn't feel like it at the time.



Because I had a year's prior experience OTR, well back before the Dinosaurs died out lol, I could of gone the expensive/fast route, but I would of missed out on some great opportunities to learn more about the (modern) industry, to say nothing of the extra training. I was still really bored the last 8ish weeks though and just wanted to test out; like 2+ months of pre-tripping trucks for 1 to 2 hours a day for 4 days a week gets old. Heh, I was dreaming about driving/backing/pre-trippin' nearly every night by the time I tested out.



I hope this helps you make a decision. My last tip is once you get your CDL A, don't be an idiot like me and give it up thinking you'll never drive again. You never know; trust me on this.

 

If I had choice I would of went to the community college. Got my cdl in 2.5 weeks through a diploma mill.I'm a slow learner so I struggled with backing when I was with my trainer. Cc trucking school is the way to go.

 

I'll toss my two cents into the wishing well also. Training is training and the type that best works for you is what you need to choose. This is based on what you know about yourself. You know how well you usually pick up on things, you know your basic skills, you know you better than anyone else. So, which are "you" more comfortable with? For me, I could go with the private school (3 to 4 week) course and be comfortable enough to know that I can be successful in the cab. Of course no company is going to just put you out there, your going to go through their orientation and training programs before solo. You know what you can do so look at it from that angle and decide.

As for cost, I would contact my local VA rep (state or federal) and ask what they can do to help. They may fund the cheaper of the two, or give you the choice of desired training, either way it's funded. You have to go to them though, they don't come to you. It's free to ask and a "No" answer won't kill you. WIA is an option. In my home state and county (Georgia) the WIA funds are dwindling but again it's free to ask. Either of these options, as well as any other public funded avenue is going to take some leg work and patience. Government (Federal/State/Local) likes a lot of paperwork and to work slow at processing this paper work.

And as I tell everyone that asks, don't go in debt for schooling if you can avoid it. You come out of training deeper in debt than before you went in and have another monthly committment that takes away from your ability to sustain yourself and family. Just look at all the college graduates screaming at the government to help them with their student loans. They got the degree, they got the debt but they did not get the "right out of college" high paying job that was alluded to if you just get your degree.

I wish you the best in whatever you do. And remember, if it sounds too good to be be true, it probably is.

Old MP

 

I am going to RAYNA CDL cost is $1500.00 here in San Antonio, got my permit the first day which is today, hope to go oil field.