Another annoying newbie question!

Olsmann · Dec 17, 2013

luvtotruck said: ↑

A few things, Go to an "Accredited" School, Call some of the companies that take the students and see what is on their list, I would also check with Watkins and Shepard out of Missoula Mt. they have a 10 day Boot camp of training and what to do in just about every situation, and then they put you in a truck and down the road you go, they are only a phone call away, They also have a list of the schools that are on this Accredited list! I wouldn't bother with the feeders, they will just screw you into driving for them and not pay you very much, Please go in and put where you are located, We all promise that we won't show up for dinner anytime soon. It helps us help you locate a company or a school. Thanks.
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Sorry I changed it!. I'm actually located 70 NE Of Minneapolis just across the boarder into Wi (35 min north of Hudson)

Olsmann · Dec 17, 2013

Space Man Spiff said: ↑

I'll second the better learning experience at a community college. Most actually cost a little less than an independent school and the quality of training is better as well. A quick search turned up a few programs not far from you. The community programs are 6-8 weeks, twice as long as an independent school, allowing you more time to soak up the knowledge and more road time to get comfortable behind the wheel. A company school like England, Swift or Central try to cram too much into too little time then throw you out on the road ASAP. If you have the time (two months) I'd go Vo-tech/Community College but the other options will work depending on your needs.
Minneapolis St-Paul is a decent destination and freight lane which would get you home on a reasonable basis. Schneider and Heartland Express are both good large companies to look at and there are many mid-size companies out of Minnesota and Wisconsin. Just check the Sunday paper!
This career is what you make it. It has a steep learning curve with 50% of new drivers quitting in the first 6 months. Get off on the right foot by picking a good school and good first company to drive for, Good Luck!
Go Vikings!
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The community college is the same price as the other schools. I definitely like the idea of a longer course with more training, But I'm still on the fence as a 6 -8 week course makes it tough when trying to transition from one job/career into this. One school offers the ability to do 100 hours via the web then the last 60 in the truck (not so sure about that) the other is 3 straight weeks or 8 weekends All 3 in my area are about 4k. Thanks for the advice it all makes good sense. If I make the leap I don't wanna be one of the 50% that fails

Goldenfan · Dec 17, 2013

Chippewa Valley tech in Eau Claire was about $2300 a few months ago when I looked into them. 8 week course and it seems to be highly regarded. You have to pay for housing for the 8 weeks of course. Have you thought about going to Roehl's school? From what I've read on here they separated the school from Roehl's name and it's no longer called RDTC. You can go to another company if you choose from what I understand but I don't know how that would work out.

Olsmann · Dec 17, 2013

Goldenfan said: ↑

Chippewa Valley tech in Eau Claire was about $2300 a few months ago when I looked into them. 8 week course and it seems to be highly regarded. You have to pay for housing for the 8 weeks of course. Have you thought about going to Roehl's school? From what I've read on here they separated the school from Roehl's name and it's no longer called RDTC. You can go to another company if you choose from what I understand but I don't know how that would work out.
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Thanks Chippewa is about21/2 hours from me so Id probably spend the difference in the housing. I didn't know that about Roehl

Moon_beam · Dec 17, 2013

Menards has a distribution center in Eau Claire, WI. Check with them and find out who ships into them frequently.

koncrete cowboy · Dec 17, 2013

luvtotruck said: ↑

A few things, Go to an "Accredited" School, Call some of the companies that take the students and see what is on their list, I would also check with Watkins and Shepard out of Missoula Mt. they have a 10 day Boot camp of training and what to do in just about every situation, and then they put you in a truck and down the road you go, they are only a phone call away, They also have a list of the schools that are on this Accredited list! I wouldn't bother with the feeders, they will just screw you into driving for them and not pay you very much, Please go in and put where you are located, We all promise that we won't show up for dinner anytime soon. It helps us help you locate a company or a school. Thanks.
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Im hungry...id show up...

MACK E-6 · Dec 17, 2013

Olsmann said: ↑

So I am going to and Independent trucking school in Mlps/St Paul area a little after the holidays. I'm undecided between Interstate Trucking School and Heavy Metal Trucking or the Community college . I live about 65-70 miles NE of the Twin Cities just across the boarder into western Wi. I have a few questions? First is this area considered to be in the "freight lanes"? And if so does that open me up for better home time options with companies?

I've heard of folks that that don't live near fright lanes and it becomes very tough to get home time. Does this area have decent options for regional or dedicated routes? Any advice you guys could give about which companies in the Minneapolis/St Paul and surrounding areas would be good for a NOOB and which to avoid would be much appreciated!

Thanks

P.S
Any thoughts between the schools I mentioned?
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I can't tell you a whole lot about Minnesota. But I CAN tell you that if you anywhere near an Interstate highway you're near a "freight lane".

cabwrecker · Dec 17, 2013

Quite a bit of reefer work in and around your area, plus you ain't exactly what truckers would call "far" from Chicagoland.

Moosetek13 · Dec 18, 2013

Freight does run from/to Minneapolis/St. Paul area, and Swift has a terminal at Inver Grove Heights.
I never have a problem getting there, when that is where I am taking home time. Home time locations vary for me.
One huge account is Malt-O-Meal (MOM), and most of the loads I get when coming off home time are from there.

If you are 70 miles from there, it should not be a problem getting a load to your area to allow you to bt home.

As a new driver you will probably end up with a mega-carrier, like Swift or Werner or whomever.
Check out which carriers that hire new drivers also have terminals near you, and then decide which might be the best for you.
Swift is not without its problems, but they have been good to me so far.

As to the school, well, you simply have to weigh the options and choose what suites you best.

gpsman · Dec 18, 2013

Olsmann said: ↑

I'm undecided between Interstate Trucking School and Heavy Metal Trucking or the Community college.
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Community colleges are probably always a better bet than any CDL mill. You can't have too much education before you dive into becoming really educated by "the road", unless that education instills confidence. Driver training should instill doubt and fear. Once you lose the fear of the equipment you're just an accident looking for a place to happen.

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