Special Alert!!! Truck Driving Schools

Good day all. I just finished school and passed my road test November 17th. Already on my way to getting on with a company thanks to my wife! I have to log some time with her before I take the road test with them, Lots to learn. The one thing I have found out about Truck Driving schools.. Well at least the one I attended, is that they do not equip you to be a driver over the road. They give you some very basic skills to pass your driving test. The rest is up to you and hopefully your driver trainer once on with a company.
I wish the best to all who read this blog. Keep the shiny side up and the greasy side down! Oh, and leave the Lot Lizards alone... They will just take what little money you make as well as your dignity too!

 

Hi, I have enrolled in a local univerisity cdl program, but this is about a freind of mine who interviewed at a private cdl mill "school". They asked if he was on any medications and he told them his doctor had him on hydrocodone, marinell( will give you a positive test for thc, thats what its made from) and a couple of others. recruiter told him it should not be a problum with a doctors certificate. Having done a lot research on this forum I am sure every exp. driver here will back me up, no trucking company will hire you if you are on these meds. He would owe $6000.00 for school and no chance of getting a job. be careful, do your homework, some of these companys are only about their getting paid.
brian

 

So I went for a visit today at the "school" I was considering. I don't think I will bother attending there. I think I am going to go through Swift. A friend of mine reccommended it and I trust him. So Swift it is... besides, I've been researching for weeks and to tell you the truth, I have seen many positive posts from people who have made it through school and work for swift, while most of the complaints are from those who either, didn't make it through, or haven't even been there. One thing for certain, for the benefit of other people who come after me, I will start posting as I progress as I would like to be able to read some stuff from someone going through this ahead of me... not minute to minute, but situation to situation. Thanks everyone for the posts! It makes it all the more interesting
And I hope Everyone Has a Happy Holiday Season!

 

Do please keep us informed, every person I've known that went to awift once they got a better ride they quit. to quote a friend. "You must be a little swift to work for them"
I don't know but would like to know your take and keep us updated for 3 years, that is the longest 1 friend worked

 

My in-laws both went through the Swift School 4 months ago. They learned what was needed to get a start. They are currently driving as a team mostly running from Denver to New Jersey. As for miles, well their Driver managers makes certain they have enough. My mother in-law had her first accident 3 weeks after her mentorship. Nothing more than she dinged her fairing by turning to sharp. Swift didnt even do anything. My father in-law had his first preventable accident 2 weeks ago. He had to go to some "close quarters" training, and is now back on the road again! They like Swift, but wont stay there. I think the only thing keeping them in place is the 1 year contract for the driving school. Swift is not a bad company except they have "big company" rules and it seems you are more of a number to them than a person! NO I have never been with them, but I feel qualified to respond because 1, of my in-laws being employed there. 2, My brother worked there for 5 years, and 3 My wife worked there for 3 years.
Good luck! you could have made a worse decision!

 

I have read some of your post and thought i would ask you for some advice. I am starting at SAGE on January 3 and was wondering if you knew anything about Carter's Express? I have done alot of research and they're terminal in Anderson,IN is very close to me. I have not been able to find any bad things about them written any where. I like that they say home weekends. I know as a trucker you are not always home but I would like as much home time as possible. I am also in the national guard so being home on the weekend helps that. If you do not agree with Carter's Express. Can you recommend another company? I'm just not sure about SNI though. I have read alot of bad things about them even though I know you stand behind them fully I am just a little uneasy about them.
Thanks for any help

garrett

 

My sujestion is see if you can get financing through the GI bill and where you can go for that. every company that trains wants you to be commited for 1 year or more there are 50 schools that are national guard acreddeted that have thier trailer at thier school. 2 any school that uses a daycab & a pup trailer to train most companies worth working for won't hire from them.

 

Central Refrigerated has a program for military people with a dd214 with an honorable discharge. It is called the CRAFT program and all the training is free as long as you stay with them for a year. If you leave before one year then you will owe 3000, but it is still a good deal , I start Jan. 10th

 

I think it was more the fact that you failed your test......Fred!! Now, let's be honest! If your gonna do any flappin of the jaws....At least speak the truth!!

 

I have a job offer from Carter Express. Not much info available on them. Does anyone know anything about them? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks