From ANOTHER WannaBe

Good post, thanks for making it. Good to see someone posting with good info and some good questions.

I learned a lot from the replies and sure hope to see more replies.

THANKS everyone.

 

That sounds like a good idea/plan. Why was it backwards? Maybe I missed something?

IMO, chat away, I’ll read it.

 

From what I usually read, people either decide on a local school or a company that offers "free" training before deciding who to work for.

I went to the trucking companies first to see who hired from where and what kind of training they accepted. I visited 5 schools in the area and decided on CCS, they seemed to be more professional and offered the type of training I wanted (6 weeks with a max of 4 students per class). Once I had all that picked out I went to the WIA office to start the process to see if I qualified for funding. I was prepared to pay for it out of pocket but it was suggested to me to try, so I did. I ended up getting a fantastic case manager who has really helped me through the process, Im told to show up on X day at X time and provide the documents she requested, she did the rest. The whole WIA process took about 4 weeks and was really a lot less painful than I had imagined it would be. I expect to be heading to the companies training facility a couple of days after I graduate, not applying to any and all companies in hopes of being offered a job who knows how long after I get out of school.

Im a person of absolutes and not knowing or having a plan really freaks me out. I didnt quit my job until I knew for sure I had a direction. I started the WIA application process a week before my last day of work. They dole out the funding to out of work people before employed.

 

I have also watched countless hours of youtube videos, my 2 favorite guys are BigRigTalk who is from Canada and 1776Filmz who I believe is from Colorado (correct me if Im wrong). My sat radio in my jeep is set to sirius 106 which is Road Dog Trucking.

 

double post

 

For what it's worth, I'm a new student at Dootson in Arcadia, CA. For the Permit test, they give you the DMV CDL handbook, photocopies of the DMV tests with the correct answers checked (this includes multiple different tests for Gen. Knowledge, Combination, Air Brakes, DBL Triple, Tanker, HazMat, and Class C). They also have a 3 day, 2 hour a day class covering the permit test,which came with my package. It wasn't that hard if you study the sample tests. I took ALL of them on the same day at DMV (7 total) and PASSED them all, just STUDY. As far as behind the wheel lessons, I guess it depends on how fast you pick it up as to how many lessons you'll need to pass the CDL test. The average they give is 6 hours total (what I'm getting), some may need more, some less. I've only taken 1 1/2 hours so far, and can up/down shift OK, Back in a straight line, and so-so parallel park. They're instructors seem very good, and helpful with your progress. I would recommend them from my experience so far. Sure can't beat the price.

 

Got my CDL after less than 30 hours training @ Dootson.
Applied at Schneider, talked to Kimberly Hardy, the SNI recruiter, she told me they require min. 160 hours of training to be considered. WTF?
Sadwar, how did you get hired at Schneider?

 

OUCH, sorry to hear that. Check around, there will be smaller outfits that dont require that length of training. Out at the DMV they have testing trucks for hire, people who do that find employment.