Schools near SE NC

I do not believe, personally and I could be wrong, that it makes any sense to go to school to learn something you already know.

Don't be afraid to learn new things. Driving a stick in a Class 7 or 8 has nothing to do with driving a stick in a Volkswagen Beetle. In fact you might be at an advantage not having to unlearn anything.

 

I know you are worried about driving stick. Don't be. I have driven a stick since I was 16 (42 now ) and trust me when I tell you it's a disadvantage. A stick car and a stick tractor are nothing alike. I am in school as we speak, and I am fighting driving habits CONSTANTLY that I've learned over the last 26 years of my life. I have never heard of a school that will train you on an automatic. Most vets hate them. The technology isn't there yet to make a dependable auto tractor. Sometimes they get stuck in gear, and they have to be reset like a computer. Sometimes they will completely lose gears. Reverse doesn't act like reverse on a car, and people have problems with docking because of that. I've heard stories just last week in school about this kind of stuff. When I get my own truck, I'll be doing everything I can to get a manual. Trust me, learn stick. Plus, if you test on an automatic, you will now have a restriction on your CDL, and you will not be legally able to drive a stick tractor. Why limit your future when you are spending you hard earned money and your time to go through school?

 

Also, don't be afraid of a contract. DO be afraid of puppy mills. Puppy mills are the nickname that my dad and I have for a specific type of company/school. There are small companies out there that have their own training. Any schooling provided by a trucking company is referred to as "company sponsored training". The bigger companies out there that offer training are casting a very wide net to fill positions with the understanding that they have to sift through the losers to get to the solid people that want to learn and care about the job. So if you read on this site that "such-and-such company screwed me, the training was horrible, I didn't gain the knowledge to pass my test and got kicked out..." blah blah blah. Here's the deal with big companies. By law trainers are 6 to one max. If they are taking in 30 students at a time, trust me they are reading you as soon as they meet you. It's not their fault if they read you and spend time focusing on someone they consider more worthy of time. That's what they are trained to do. Weed out. It's the way the military works too. Smaller companies that offer that training are a different story. If they accept you, they already weeded you out. I am in training with Millis. They are a perfect example. Another good example is Roehl. Small company committed to moving the company forward. My training so far is amazing. My friend is going through Roehl. Both are very small compared to the big boys out there. But...small companies are completely committed in their investment. I will be family in a couple weeks, and I feel it right now. That's what you want in a contract. Feel like you're home. The rest is gravy.

 

First post, I'm currently a student at JCC in Smithfield, you won't find a better place to learn. 8 weeks, recruiters in 3-5 times a week and the instructors are top notch guys. It's also the only school anywhere I've heard of that lets students drive solo, without an instructor in the truck once you're qualified and have your CDL.

I drive 2 hours each way, graduate in August, cost $1050 that most companies will reimburse for and I wouldn't dream of going anywhere else. I think orientation for the next class is first or second week of August so you need to get in a hurry and call next week. Search TDT Johnston Comm College and you'll go right to it.

 

Dude....I have 45 hours and 2200 miles of road time and 35 hours of range time before I have reached my driver trainer, which is happening next week. If you are talking to recruiters, you will be talking to megas. Have fun with that. I wish you the best of luck, but don't think for even a second that you'll be on your own. You'll be running team. And the pay isn't going to be awesome.

 

Make sure that they are setting you up for success. 1k for schooling sounds shady to begin with. Plus, non-sponsored schools get kick-backs from megas. It should be illegal. Not trying to rain on your parade, but you need to be very aware of what could happen if you aren't careful.

 

So the state is taking kick backs ? It is a community college . He is going to the highest ranking driving school. Like I stated earlier , they are holding classes at Fort Bragg , for short timers (free).The Marine Corp giving or taking those kickbacks? One of my old companies donated a truck to the Fort Bragg program. I was there opening day , represent the Road Team, for the press conference .

 

Have you started applications yet? Dozens of companies to choose from.

 

Starting out Epes may be a good fit ? I was there 10 years . Sure they have been there to talk to you.

 

@Beamin1 I went to JCC almost 3 years ago. Awesome experience. Don't listen to SteelersJunkie... He doesn't know what he is talking about. Yes, some megas do recruit out of there. Also some great smaller companies. I got a job with a touring dance competition straight out of school. The tour lasted 6 months. It was a cool job just not a permanent gig... Then I got a real job with Magnum LTD out of Fargo ND. About 1/4 of the drivers are from NC since we have so much freight going there. Check them out if your interested. PM me if you want.

SteelerJunkie, I paid the same amount Beamin did in October 2013. It's a 384 hr community college course with better than average equipment. It is a highly respected school. I have seen job ads that say 'experienced drivers or students of JCC only'.

Sampson County Community College has basically the same course as JCC and it's only $500. The Director used to work at JCC and he went there to expand the community college system. There are several more NC colleges that have very similar courses.

Tell Tony and Van that Mike Long says hi.