Southern, Wi wannabe has questions

Good afternoon Rixter and welcome to the forum! When you get time maybe you could post in The Welcome Wagon and introduce yourself to all the members here. To help the members address your questions more directly you might consider telling us a little bit about your situation (family, expectations, goals in trucking, etc). You'll find that the folks here are more than capable and willing to help you. I'm a wannabe myself and can say that without a doubt the best thing you've done to prepare yourself for this career is becoming a member here. Best of luck to you! Listen closely, digest what you hear, make good decisions!

 

There is a school in Eau Claire called Chippewa Valley Technical College. Don't know where you live but they are one of the 20 best in the country. They are a lot less expensive than most driver schools and since you are a resident of WI you would get an even bigger break in pricing. You also would not be locked in to any sort of contract with any trucking company. It's a 12 or 13 week course if memory serves and it's 5 days a week/10 hours a day with lots of behind the wheel learning as well as classroom and a skid school/crash avoidance. Skid school is lots of excitement! Anyway good luck to you and keep the dirty side down and the shiny side up...makes it a lot more comfortable for you and a lot less hard on the equipment! My 2 cents.

 

I'm in SE WI as well. I already got my CDL, but Eagle Training Services' school is rather interesting and unique... The owners care about a students' success and will give you straight forward advice. Ironically, they are more interested in your future than they are about just getting your money. If they listen to you and feel that this choice (trucking) isn't the best choice for you - they will tell you so.

My friend visited their school with his wife. She is totally against him even considering doing OTR and the school picked up on this and basically told him that they would love to have him as a student but that support from the family (especially a wife) was #1 related to the students' success.

They have a few locations (All in IL though)...but while more expensive than a vocational school, they are much shorter in length and fully IL State Accredited. (that is NOT easy to get..the school MUST be awesome) - I think you should at least contact them for information before making a decision. The school is about 80 miles from Oak Creek, which is about 27miles NORTH of the IL border.

http://www.eagletrainingservices.com

Prior to my return to OTR, (and most likely with Roehl) - I will be attending their school for a refresher. I am not interested in going thru any company school (such as RDTC from Roehl or MTI from Millis) as I do not believe in being locked into any commitment with any company. You pay for school and thats that....I will pay cash for my training. I have been saving up over the last year or so and when I am ready, the cash is too.

Roehl is an awesome company, IF you can get in. They are fussy about who they hire. The go into Canada so any prior DWI (2 is an immediate disqualify) is of concern. If your work record is spotless and your MVR is the same, I am sure Roehl would consider you as a student.

You could do *their* school (RDTC) or go to an 'approved' school of their's (such as Eagle) and then go from there. Roehl will reimburse your schooling up to $2800, as you stay on with them...each so many miles you get some reimbursement.

Roehl also has several options for programs (such as hometime and National for example) - and the idea is that you could be home more often than normal...at least thats the theory behind that program.

Best of luck to you... ...Just do all your homework and be sure of what your doing before you do it!

 

Roehl is a good place to learn and start out. They have an excellent school and will teach you the right way.
As a company....well, they are good for newbies. After you get a year or two under your belt, you will be able to move onward and upward.
I still talk to my old trainer and he has been there 17 years now. He wants to move, but has too much time in to get out.

 

You could always take some of your tools with and fix ac systems for cash on the side at truck stops!!!


Probably make more doing that than driving,,....lol...