Anyvody know abour these two schools in NJ?

where in nj smith and soloman has schools all over nj
I graduated from S & S in Lakewood NJ
I recruit at all the schools south of 195 in nj
dont know northern nj schools well
but i can be more helpful please ask
If your down by Vinalhaven I reccomend Bradway Trucking School. They are in conjunction with local community college there

 

Yo, I went to smith & solomon, Edison. I say go there, I went back in '97. Of course in lived in sommervile at the time so it was a no brainer. I got xtra help ( backing ) @ no cost.

 

I am at Smith & Solomon and I like it. Their yard equipment is older, but you get what you need from them. The on-road equipment is decent. The trainers are very patient and friendly. If you are focused and want to do well, they will recognize that and be encouraging. If you cop a 'tude, or forget documents; late a lot or miss a lot of days, you'll have issues ... Especially if you are sponsored.

If you are private? I love their flexibility with sessions. Because I work in the afternoons, I can do the morning sessions. They have all day weekdays; nights, and weekends too.

The only issue I'd have is the wait time for behind-the-wheel. Although I've been lucky so far, the line to drive can be upwards of 20 people waiting. So, you'd want to try to schedule your training at unpopular times, like weekends or mornings.

basically, if you go to school with a positive attitude and stay focused ,,, I'd say most schools would be adequate.


Also - with S&S - if you fail, you keep going until you pass at no extra charge. The also have little free class courses like map reading. Others you have to pay extra, but, all in all it's pretty reasonable.

 

I have just finished my training with Jersey Tractor Trailer Training. They have one on one driving lessons for two hours. If you are coming from the state their program is set up for six weeks. I went through the private sector and they had me ready to go in four weeks. I took 10 lessons and I was very confident that I was ready for the Pre-Trip, Basics and Road Test at DMV. Jersey has classroom times from 8 am to 11 am and their lessons start at 6 am. My experience at Jersey was nothing but positive from the guys up at the office to the instuctors down in the trucks. It was money well spent. Good luck with your search!

 

Seems like S&S are still using the same training format that they used when I graduated in '89 ( Howe Lane North Brunswick NJ) Problem is not the amount of time you want to waste there getting in line and driving. How are the trainers? They didn't exist when I was there. It was like a prison yard with one truck to fight over. Did I pass my written and driving on the first try? YES! Could I back into a dock after I graduated? NO!
You will need to learn all you can on your own or with some friends you make there and then look for a patient employer to get you started. Good Luck to all.

 

Hi! I would imagine that their basic training system hasn't changed much over the years. They change things up a little here and there ... Like they started teaching Drop & Hook not long ago because some graduates were having issues with their new employers - they had no clue how to do it.

In my opinion, the trainers are great. It seems like a tough job to me. They deal with a lot of people who really aren't into it. And some of the students really cant drive worth a c*rap. It's quite scary when a student gets yelled at for how he took a corner .. and he goes, "Oh, lol, I forgot there was a trailer behind me." ... Are ya kiddin me!!!! I had several "Oh #####" moments ridin' in the back there, lol. However, When the instructors run across students who are interested and motivated they will give you the shirt off their backs, so to speak.

LOL on the dock ... I finally figured out how to back the dang thing into the cones literally the LAST day before my test! Each instructor has their own way of teaching. That day I had a trainer who normally didn't train alley dock. His method just clicked with me!