AIT Phoenix - Second time around

Back to AIT after years of being out of trucking. I'll see if I can let folks know how it is from the perspective of someone who's already been through it once, and who's actually driven truck for at least a year. Not taking this on as though I already know everything, for certain. I haven't driven truck in several years and let my CDL lapse. Might be useful to someone thinking of attending AIT to hear from someone who knows a little bit about what they are seeing and hearing being taught. Didn't cost as much this time around, that's real nice.

School starts 4/9/2012. Have to have a pre-hire from at least one company, obviously, that would be an OTR company. Am I going OTR? Well.....um.....

 

I completely agree with you, and that had been my plan since I can still drive, back, pre-trip, etc.. except that at present, in the field that I intend to work, companies are not allowed by their insurers or by the large contracting companies they haul for to hire people without RECENT experience at all, and only in some cases when a person has completed the at least 120, and better, a full 160 hours of CDL school.

I had intended to do just as you advise until I spoke to several potential employers where I want to work. Plain and simple, given how long I've been away from driving, they wouldn't consider me even if I came with a newly minted CDL and all the endorsements, even with a year of antiquated OTR experience. I'm not saying I couldn't have found ANYONE to have hired me in my field, but the places I WANT to work for would not hire me. So I'm biting the bullet on time, and have the luxury of being able to do that. The cost is almost nothing in my case, since I'm already a graduate of AIT. A repeat only costs me $320 and the cost of the written exams and medical exam.

Are you aware of local (Phoenix are) hiring for people with a CDL and no experience, recent or otherwise? I think it's probably rare, but I do know people who would gladly go for it, who are looking for work, and considering going to CDL schools. (full 160 hour types). Since the costs are lower even for the full 160hrs, I've advised them to take the time to go through the Glendale Community College program at much lower cost, if a little longer duration.

 

Far as I know the GCC course is accredited. I'll have a look and see.

Well I'll be dipped. The cost has gone up since last I looked, it's now $3000 non-credit, and $4K for college credits. The college is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission a member of the North Central Association, but the course description etc., doesn't say anything about PTDI. Seems like other than being somewhat less expensive, the main benefit is that you can pay it in chunks. Most people are going to need loans. AIT does Federal Student loans, as does GCC. SWTDT does not. It comes down to whether you can get student loans, or pay the 18% at 24 to 36 months.

 

Got a prehire from both Schneider (11 Western - 2wk out, 2 days home...almost sounds good) and May Trucking, (11 Western, hometime when you get it) but I'm still hitting the south TX oilfield jobs hard for any of them that will take am older guy with a year of old OTR experience and a brand new diploma from a PTDI school like AIT. Only needed one pre-hire, but more is better, I guess.