Question:
I remember reading here before about making sure your school is (PTDI?) certified?
The school I just talked to Area Truck School outta Sacramento, Ca, they said they were certified by the Sate of California (Post Secondary Vocational Education). So far they have the best price $3810.
Was I right about the the PTDI? (I did a search on the site...came up with a lotta nothing.), thinking I just might have it wrong.
Thx in advance.

Answer:

http://roundtable.truck.net/search.php

Answer:

Hmmm...according to the website...no schools in California are PTDI certified. The other school I am looking at is Truck Driving Academy(Swift contracts with'm...not an option for me tho)...they offer an 8 week course...double the hours behind the wheel for $4995. Not tooooo bad.
Back to the PTDI thing...does the school HAVE to be? Because I heard so long as you have the 160 hours of traing...you're alright. Comments?

Answer:
The school you attend does NOT neccessarily have to be PTDI.
Just make sure that the carrier you plan on signing on with accepts students out of the school that you plan on attending.
Better yet.....
Call a few of the carriers that you are interested in & ASK them if they hire students out of the school you plan on attending.

Answer:
Thx. I have a job right now at the Sacramento Bee, they tend to prefer to hire from within, that shouldn't be a problem, was just curious if when I want to leave (Moving to Oregon or Alaska in about 3-4 years) if the co's I applied at would look at the schooling, (After having a few years under my belt). Thx for the suggesting. Good advice. It is much apprieciated.


Answer:
I went to a PTDI certified school here in Albuquerque, NM. As a resident I only paid $330.00 for 12 weeks of training. So take a look at the community/vocational colleges around your area.
If you get a few safe years under your belt you will be employable anywhere regardless of what driving school you attended. Good Luck!

Answer:
Thx!


Answer:
Hey Jazz: I went to Southeast Community College in Lincoln, Nebraska. Cost $526. I was prehired by Crete Carriers before the school started and they require you to be PTDI qualified. The school is also a third party tester which is nice. Ten weeks of school and eight weeks of training and you are on your own. Have been out solo for a month now with the Crete dedicated for WalMart out of North Platte, NE. Love it They are looking for drivers and do hire graduates from some schools also for there national fleet if you get prehired. Might take a look at this school and Crete. Take care and good luck.... Cubby
Answer:
Thx for the info cubby, kinda limitied to Sacramento, Ca. I've decided on Area Truck School. Will be giving a call in the next few days, and set up a time for the paperwork. They said they'd work with me about schooling. I have a rather difficult schedule to work around. I won't be able to start school until prolly late July or August. Dunno if I should study the manual from DMV or not. LOL! Might just do that anyways.


Answer:
Try visiting your local unemployment office and ask for a list of approved schools. It is free and is sometimes listed on their website. This is a good starting place for unbiased info.
.
The more backing maneuvers the school teaches; the better for you.

Answer:
$526 for 10 weeks at a PTDI school
$330 for 12 weeks at a community college
and Barbie paid $7grand for what? 8 weeks?
TOO FUNNY!!!
Answer:
I actually ended up $330 ahead after going through the community college(which is also PTDI certified) because the company I hired on with reimbursed me and then recieived a school tax credit for $330 at tax time. Pretty good deal eh?

Answer:
Hey JW,
You can do better then Area Truck driving School ...unless they have more to offer up that way then they do at their Santa Clara site. They train on a small dirt lot with day cabs (old Viking trucks) with short trailers they only have one sleeper unit a older T6. Just my thoughts.
Have a Good Week Drivers ....keep it Safe.
Randy

Answer:
Thx for the info...but Area Truck Driving School just closed up shop in Sacramento. Will be going with Truck Driving Academy in August
BTW: Thx for the well wishes!!!


Answer:
Interesting news about their school in Sac. ...they closed up the Modesto school a while back. I had a bad feeling about this school when I first went to talk to them ...I'll see if they they are still in Santa Clara this weekend.
Have a good Week Drivers ...keep it Safe!
Randy