Getting my CDL dilemna in SoCal.

My needs are a little bit different than most everyones here. I work for a towing company in San Diego. I've been driving a light duty tow truck for a year and a half now, both flatbed and sub 26k gvw wreckers. My company has a position open in the heavy division driving a medium duty wrecker which is 26k + rated. That requires a cdl.
Our senior heavy driver promised to teach me and help me get my CDL in the 50 ton wrecker, but its been 2 months since my first 3 hour class with him. And I just can't get him to find the time he promised me. So I've started calling schools. There are only a few that are local to me. I called on the two closest to me. united of course who wants something like 4600. the other is a school that I cannot find any info on. they have a decent website and they boast 4 locations. America truck driving school.
The difference between the two is united has a crapload of class time with drivetime that is shared with 3 other drivers or something like that and its on a set schedule.
America truck driving school only wants 1400 because I allready have my CDL permit plus all endorsments minus passenger. They will let me train daily for 2 or 4 hours and its private 1 on 1 instruction test till I pass. but I just can't find any references, reviews or anything on them.
My third option is to find a local owner operator in my area that I can pay who is willing to give me the seat time and teach me. (any takers?)

I've discussed it with my wife. united is kinda out, we can't afford that kind of coin. but we can afford america truck driving school. Stipulation being that I get more info on them.
I just want my CDL, don't need the bells and whistles. Do I keep searching for cheaper schools? Are there drivers out there willing to teach on the side?
I'm gonna be a heavy wrecker driver. When I get my CDL, either my company will move me up to the medium duty truck, or i'm going on the search for a company that is willing to consider me for a medium duty position.
Thanks

 

I looked at my local colleges. nothing listed. I did find another local school, Advance school of driving. $1500 for a 2 week course. mon-fri 630 am till 2 pm. being that i allready work wed - sun 6pm to 6am. that might be a very tough 2 weeks.
I really want the training offered by my senior heavy driver in a truck that I will be driving once I move up. He really does want to train me but only during regular hours. The problem is that he is just that busy during the regular 8-5 m-f shift. (one reason why I'm determined to be a heavy driver). I was just talking about it with my wife and she suggested that I offer to pay him for training on his time on the weekends. So what should I offer. $20/hr?
And yes, I will be training and testing in a tow truck. And it will have another truck in tow which will cover the combo endorsment. (he has allready done it before).