"CDL MILLS"

I have heard this from several diferent sources, from both instructors and from trainers. Funny thing is the "trainee" that is looking for a motel every night usualy does not last too long...

 

you know thats exactly why i said that....

 

Gent,
I am currently getting my CDL thru one of the "mills" as you put it at a price tag of 5700 dollars. I agree with many of the comments made in this forum. I dont belive I am being taught all I really need to know to be a safe and confident driver. I really want to get my CDL and drive trucks but I want to do it knowing that I am not putting myself or anyone else in danger due to my lack of experience. If anyone has any advice please let me know.

Rigger

 

get out if you can and find a community collage...a mill is not a good place to learn and way to costly...good luck

 

Thanks BUBBABONE I appreciate any advice I can get on this from people that really know the ropes. I wish there was a way to get your permit and then get hooked up with a driver who has experience and really wants to teach you to be a good driver. There is so much experience out there on the road but all of you guys have dedicated runs and dont have the time to have a newbie trying to drive with you. Who knows maybe I can find a driver here local that would be willing to teach me the things the "mill" will not. Again thanks for your advice and be safe out there.

Rigger

 

no problem! when you get your cdl hook up with a good company and they will put you in the truck with a veteran driver trainer and he/she will show you a lot more than ANY school ever will...

 

The school will teach you the legalities and mechanics of driving, log book and operating the truck.

The real education starts when you get on the road with the experienced driver...

 

Hey Bubbabone...what you said about hooking up with a company that will train you and put you in a truck with an experienced driver/trainer, is exactly what I'm going to do. I start "school" next Monday at MTI (Millis Transfer Institute) in Wisconsin. Their course is three weeks long and will cost me a total of $500.00 (lodging included). The total cost of the course is $2500.00 but they will forgo $2000.00 of it as long as you drive for them for at least a year. I researched alot of CDL mills and private training companies and found that Millis had the best one for the money. I talked with a couple of current Millis drivers and they said the course is well structured and the training is good. Their class load is no more than 6 students, so the students get a little more personal time from the instructors. After school there is a 3 day orientation and then I'll jump into a truck with a trainer for up to 6 weeks. As a student, I will be getting "training pay" starting out at $500.00/wk all the way up to $700.00/wk for the 6th week and up. I hope to go no longer than 4 weeks with my trainer. I drove many different trucks in the Army including 5 ton M-818 flat bed and heavy equipment transporters so I feel I can pick it up a little quicker than the "fresh kid" that has never had more contact with a truck than just being able to identify one two out of three times. I am looking for quality training but the other half of the training process is the student paying attention and knowing what questions to ask about the task at hand. It also helps having a little knowledge of simple mechanics. How things work and why they work the way they do. I am very excited about my new endeavor and am willing to put everything into becoming a safe and experienced driver. I do know it takes time to gain the knowledge needed to be a good driver and I do not expect to make top dollar right away like some starry eyed "newbies" are expecting right out of the gate. I have big respect for professional drivers, and I emphasize PROFESSIONAL drivers as they have paid their dues and have some good advice to give us new drivers. I apologize for rambling on like I have, but when you're as excited as I am about starting a new career, you babble alot. Like Forrest Gump says, "That's all I got to say about that".