Need some advice! On Truck Driver Training.

You ask about the negative comments you see. Here's the real skinny (IMO). Trucking can be stressful. The combinations of problems, IE: bad miles week, truck problems, company problems, poor dispatching, rough time with shipping and recieving docks, bad wx, wife is mad you missed anniversary, etc... (there are many more, but my fingers get tired) all can make "Jack" a ticked off boy (or girl). With your VA comments, I think I can safely assume (yes I know the meaning) that you were a career GI, therefore are quite used to red tape and foul-ups beyond your control.

About the negative comments on companies: Each company has problems. Some problems will make it so you wish to seek greener pastures. I left Swift because my DM repeatedly dangled an hourly wage/local job just outside my reach. "It'll be next month" or quarter, etc.. while she put other folks into the division (for 12 months). The continious carrot routine ticked me off and I found a (local) job that makes anything Swift can offer look like a joke. My results are NOT typical. I just got lucky.

That doesn't mean that Swift is a bad company. I had a bad DM. That's one out of 1,000. Prior to that I had an awesume DM, who got fired because he kept a racey joke on his email, instead of reporting it. Good man, bad decision. Does Swift do somethings wrong? Heck yes! As does Interstate, TWT, SRT, Etc.. (see tired fingers above).

FYI: check out your local ARMY bases for Left Behind Equipment programs. They hire drivers to move equipment around base. They really like ex-GI's.

Hope, I've helped.

Pal

 

need advice on stevens transport training school in dallas?

 

it's definitly not easy driven with ur dad especially when he has 20+ years experience ....it's gonnah be alottah yellin especially when your name is not on the insurance

 

Did you ever go there? I talked with a representative of theres ( He was a nice guy ) he was a pretty straight shooter for the most part, They have you do a online home course about the parts and pieces a semi and also on Map reading and your log books, when your done with that and your dot phyisacl, Drug test, and driving record all of which you will need for them, ( you have to send it to them before starting school) its a waiting game, They don't seem to be in any hurry to get ya in there programs ( well thats how I'm taking them ) for some reason or another, they do though how ever seem to take alot of pride in there school and equiptment so thats a plus... Well Its been two days now and I'm waiting to here when I'm supposed to start class with them. I'll keep ya informend.

 

BEST THING I EVER DID!!!
READ ME!
There is nothing I didn't like about my time there. And from what I've seen on the road from other 'drivers' NTI did a great job preparing for far more than just passing the CDL

 

Hey ad3 I went to National Training Inc down there in Jville, this past May and as a vet I'll tell you like it is.

The instructors are really knowledgeable: Harold, Skip, Mike and Sam. All great guys and very professional. Skip takes a little getting used to but he's a wealth of knowledge. Most are old retired Navy/ or military guys so they understand and alot of the class is military too, so thats a plus.

The 33 homestudy lessons, time consuming and a PITA but it has alot of good information in it. I bypassed it the easy way..lol

Accomodations: Students stay at the Green Cove Inn, in Green Cove Springs florida. Nice little town, but you'll have to drive to get anywhere. The school is 7 miles from the training ground. The rooms are two beds a piece and usually you share with another student for a reduced price. They change the linin like everyday or every other day, so its not bad as long as you have a decent/clean roomate. Mine was another Marine so we got along great. And we alternated carpooling duties everyday to save miles/gas. So that worked out as well. They also have private rooms, but you'll pay extra to board alone.

The school: Roll call # 7a sharp most mornings. 3 late and you get counseled. Youre Navy so you understand the concept of being somewhere. The class size is usually 24, if its more than that its going to be a royal PITA. The class is split down the middle, one half does road while the other half does pre/trip and backing.
Equipment: road trucks are not late model as the brochure would have you believe, the brochures are like 10 years old at best. They have an International 9400, a Peterbilt 387 and a Freightliner classic. 3 students per truck. These trucks are only for the road and the shifting track. After the first day of the instructor showing you the details of upshifting/downshifting, you are left to your devices with the other students to go around the track getting the mechanics of it down. This really helped before going on the road.

Backing pad trucks and the pretrip truck are old and worn out as expected. nuff said on that. If you do go, you will hate that POS ford they have but in the end you will love it. Believe me.

classes go from 330-5/5:30 most days. No saturdays except for the first weekend as it starts on a Tuesday. Backing/Shifting go from 7ish till 3, with a 30 min break.


All in all I was impressed with the school, the grounds are clean. You cant walk on the grass and the instructors were very professional. anything else you want to know, just send me a PM or ask here.


Good luck

 

Well I must say that after I posted my last add on here concerning National Truck Drivers School they called me up ithin an hour or two ( Mike and Reese are a big help and great to deal withas well ) " LOL " they set me up for my room and told me to be ready to start on Tuesday after the 4th of july, So I guess I was bit in a hurry, its just I'm so eager to get started....
I'll keep you all informend as my journey begins in the industry.

 

Mike Adams is a really really good instructor

 

You'll be right mate just as long as we don't need you to sail a boat for us hey .

 

You got that right, He is a great instructor!!! ( he's my road driving instructor ) As well as Skip, Dennis and Harold, Im in my second week in school right now and having a good time.
The work everyone has went through to get there CDL I give a big props.
I never knew how much was really involved in driving. ALOT!!!! lol