White Line CDL school Topeka, KS

Not sure I understand the 7 posts before PM but Eaton I tried to send this:
Hi, thinking about Whiteline myself although one company I'm thinking about doesn't have them on their list and waiting to hear if they'll consider adding them. What do you think, are they good or would Ft Scott be better which is approved by the company I have in mind? I'm a bit nervous that they don't teach double clutching if that is what is required on the test and by some companies. I've messed around with it in the past with cars but not sure how it works with trucks and the hi/lo stuff. Anyway been interested in what you've been posted and glad to hear you are getting offers already.

 

So, did you talk to Peggy at Keim? If you want to go Flatbedding, this is the best! But, I am biased ya know! Sweat your butt off, Freeze your butt off, Work your butt off, got it all.

There are a lot of choices out there, good luck with that!

 

White Line is a good school. However I do see some downfalls, that may not be any different than Ft. Scott's.

1. Too many students to a class. We had 22 students. There are 3 instructors, one that does classroom only, and 2 driving instructors. While they do have 3 tractors, and 2 trailers, only 2 are being used. This means less hands-on driving time per student. Don (the owner) has been working on getting a third trailer.

2. For a school, they are very much in their infancy, and are probably still in a learning mode themselves, on what and how to instruct. They do meet the state requirements for a CDL school.

3. They are much more affordable. Last I heard Ft. Scott charges around $4k, White Line only costs $2,500. Ft. Scott is a 6 week course for one reason only. Since it is at a community college, they must offer a college credit. To do so, the course must be a minimum of 6 wks. The question that was put to me when I was looking around, was, "How many truckers are really interested in getting a single college credit hour?". White Line is 5 wks, BUT, they do not give up on their students. If it takes you longer than the 5 wks to get your CDL, that's what it takes. You can come back to the school, and they will fit you in, allow you to get more driving if that's what it takes. You must also consider there is a "built in limitation". You get 4 attempts at passing your DMV test for your permit. You also get 4 attempts to pass your driving skills test. So long as you have not exhausted all 4 tries, you can keep working at it through the school. I think once you've failed 4 times, then they will likely require additional payment, or maybe suggesting you try some other profession.

Currently I have talked to and applied at a couple of companies that are not actively recruiting, and some that are. What it boils down to, is the company's and their insurance requirements. I think you get the same type of training at Ft Scott, that you do with White Line. My brother went through Ft Scott years ago, and he said his driving instructor just sat and read the newspaper while they drove. I know that does not and will not happen at White Line.

Finally, understand that these are not truck driving schools. They are CDL schools. I'm talking about both Ft. Scott & White Line. They are providing you with the very basics so you can pass the DMV tests to obtain your CDL. Now White Line only being in business for a year, so far has not had a single student fail to get their CDL.

White Line CDL is also approved for WIA state grants, that's how I'm managing to go through the school. Oh we have one student that was told by Frito Lay, that he would be hired so long as he was able to get his CDL. They simple do not recruit from any school. But are acceptable to this one.

There is a 7 post minimum on the forum, to be able to send/receive PMs. This is to prevent spam. I run another web board, and we have a similar set of rules, some being more restrictive.

 

Not yet, by the time I got to check my voicemail, she had already gone home. It was after 5pm. I did call and leave her another message. I hope that I do stand a good chance with them. I really would rather flatbed, not haul vans or TCUs (Temperature Control Units, according to TransAm Johnny)

There is one other company that is slightly higher on my list. They're out of Lebo, pulling end-dumps. Pay is about the same as Keim, maybe a little higher. It's possible to average between $1k to $2k per week. They have a minimum 2yr driving experience, but was told they may be able to convince their insurance company to waive that for me. So my fingers are crossed big time on this one.

 

I went to Ft Scott (KCKS location) and had no complaints, but that was almost 10 years ago. I had a good truck instructor, there was just me and another old guy, and we got along just fine. The other guy would always try to shift too fast, like in a car, and Jeff would get after him.
I got a job right out of school with Penny's Concrete in Lawrence then to end dumps, and now with LeFebvre in Bonner Springs hauling concrete pipe. Been there 5 years now and may give it one more year before retiring. It's a good job, but sucks in bad weather or when it's muddy. My last load today it was just starting to get muddy.

I see Frito Lay has bill boards up advertising for drivers, but don't know if they hire out of school. One of out ex drivers, drives for them, but he will not return my calls, since he owes me for some beef he bought last year and I guess he wants to be a dead bead on the deal.

 

My little brother, (who's name is Jeff also, and not one of the instructors), went through Ft. Scott about 16 yrs ago now. Right after graduating he was offered a position as an instructor, which he turned down. He's one of those naturals when it comes to trucking. I guess with any school, there's some good classes and instructors and some not so.

Geesh, owes you money, drives and probably gets paid quite well, for the tater-chip, and will not return your call or repay you. What a loser!! Wow, 67yoa and still flatbedding? I take my hat off to ya!! That means I should have a good 15 years at it.

 

Got to talk to Peggy with Keim TS today. She wants me to come up to Sabetha for an interview. I told her it would be sometime after the 17th, as that is when I'm scheduled to test with the DMV.

After talking to her, I approached my instructors and told them that I would have to skip class this afternoon to I could go to the interview. They replied, sure go ahead, heck you're ahead of the game anyway. They're having to find busy work for me and 2 other guys. I declined to go right now, I still don't want to miss any of the schooling, just the way I am..

 

Keim hauls the rolled wire into the Pipe plant in Bonner, it only come from St Joe. Never really talked to any of their drivers, just glad they haul the wire. It's a pain to chain down, especially when the hook gets caught in the middle of the hole.

 

Yes it would be somewhat of a PITA to secure, but I'm sure once a person has done a it couple of times it would get easier.

Today, Emily from Swift pitched her company to the class. I'm not impressed. She mainly wanted to stand there and hear herself talk. When she talked about the pay, she made it sound as if the more miles you drove, the higher the cpm was. I questioned that, pointing out that I understood it to be the opposite way. The fewer miles were paid at a higher cpm, then the longer load miles. She claimed that was not correct, and then proceeded to draw a chart on the board, that was exactly what I pointed out. What an airhead.

I asked her after the class about flatbed, and she basically told me that there's not enough flatbed freight moving through this area. I countered with my brother running a flatbed in this area, that at any given time I see at least a half a dozen TMC trucks, not to mention all the little companies. She continued on about not enough of that type of freight. I would have respected her answer more if she would have admitted that they (Swift) just can not get enough flatbed freight, but she was adamant that there just is not enough. I politely said thank you and walked away.

Now on top of that they run 8spds in their trucks? What's up with that crap? They just as well put autoshifts in and be done with it. I know driving a company truck you're stuck with things like this. But I'm not completely in the game yet, and I can have that as an option. I don't want these cheezy 8,9, or 10spds if I can help it. I can't imagine what it's like trying to go up some of these mountain passes with these kindergarten gears.

This morning we went highway driving again. I let the other 3 guys take most of the time. Believe me they still really need it. There is one student that I think should really look for something else. I mean come on, he asks the instructor what gear he's in while he's (student) driving? He had to come to a complete stop a couple of times, and this is only having hit 3rd. He couldn't get it from 3rd to 4th. If he started in 3rd, then he had a problem going from 4th to 5th, then again from 7th to 8th. At least they are better with the brakes, and not launching us from the sleeper.

 

Week 4

Started week 4 with classroom tests. Went through 3 yesterday, have one more to do today. In the afternoon, we tried backing practice, however got rained out. Not just a light rain, I think we wound up with between 2-3 inches of rain, sadly more rain today. Hey, but we need this rain badly!!

I guess the rest of this week will consist of watching some movies, and driving once we get by the rain today.

Tuesday

Classroom work is complete. I've got a 97% GPA. We finished by watching a short video on CSA (2010). It was comical, because when the moderator spoke the words 2010, it was muted. I guess the video was made shortly after CSA (1020) was enacted, however was not released until recently, and they now want it referred to just as CSA.

Again no driving due to rain. Tomorrow should be different, as the weather calls for sunshine. The school also faxed my school records, and a letter of recommendation to a local trucking company. One that has the insurance requirement of 2 yr minimum. Right now that's the one that counts the most to me. Hopefully it will happen. If not I have a couple of others on the back burner.