Question:
rather than Schneider or any of the company sponsored schools. I believe the opportunities will be better in the long run if I go this route. I am debating between Houston Community College and the school in Drumright Oklahoma. Both are PTDI recognized schools so I don't think I can go wrong with either one. I live in Houston so this is home however the difference in cost is minimal so either one is a good option.
I'm looking for suggestions of companies that hire private school grads, especially if they are made from personal experience.

Answer:
IMHO stay away from Prime, Wil-Trans, and RTC (all of which are Prime companies).
I would also look else where if you are considering Swift. Been there done that and got the headache to prove it.
A few companies to look into though to get your start (not sure of exact hiring areas though)
Crete
Willis Shaw
Trans AM
all the above have web sites.
Answer:
Willis Shaw is one I've thought about. I've heard of Crete but not of Trans Am. I'll have to look into them as well. Thanks for the input. Anyone else?

Answer:
I went through the PTDI certified school which I paid for on my own and when making my decision for a school I looked at job placement and I found one that was excellent and went with it and after graduation they found me one local job for a few months that didn't pay much but I got some experience then I applied with another and I still drive statewide but for a much higher wage, more than if I was going to go over the road I am home every night I have great benefits and great off time and enjoy it very much but I would suggest in looking to see if they offer job placement with more than national companies and regional jobs are fairly plentiful (around here at least) I would look into driving for a major or a mid-size company or a small local company I noticed you get treated more friendly and more like an individual than just a # on the road in one of their thousands of tractors good luck and I am sure you will make the right decision and be safe out there.

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Also stay away from CR Engalnd

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Wasn't WSE bought out by Swift ???
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Doubt it. they are owned by ComCar and have been for quite a while.
http://www.willisshaw.com/
The truly sad part about most schooling is they are all way over piced. After you have a year or more experience most companies wont even care what school you went to. All they'll care about is your record at the last company.

Answer:
Doing school on your own may also get you in with a small carrier like I am working for.
Look at pay..pay scale...benefits...home time.....equipment.
Stevens Transportation has decent equipment...seeing a lot of new 387 Peterbilts..problem is you are gone for 5 weeks at a time, or more, and a driver with 10 years experience makes less than .30cpm last time I looked. Not very good.
Lots of people say good things about Crete, wich is also Sunflower/Schaffer.

Answer:
i am a student at central tech and i have to admit this was agood choice they have taught so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! this is from a guy that never layed a finger on a stick shift ( car or truck )out of the last 2 class only one person did not make it (35 out of 36) go figure. by the way my class is next and about who to drive for give it some time start school first and make sure it is what you want to do there is a lot more than just big condos running down the highway.

Answer:
I may go to Central Tech. I planned to go to Houston Community College because it is also PTDI recognized. I found out today the June 18 class is full and the next class is July 6 through Aug. 27. I could maybe go to CT starting June 22 and finishing July 23. The downside of CT instead of HCC is that I have to get the learners permit on my own to take up there. If I go to HCC that's part of the first couple days in class. Additionally I'd have to pay for my own physical before class. I also live here so I'd be at home during class at HCC. On the plus side would be finishing about 4 1/2 weeks sooner at CT than if I wait for the next HCC class. Tuesday I'm calling both to see positively when the next opening is and how many opening left for that class.

Answer:
If you are thinking about working for Crete we have a terminal in Wilmer TX located at I-45 exit 271 just south of Dallas TX.
In the spirit of full disclosure I am a trainer for Crete and I believe that it is a good company.
If interested in working for Crete after school call to see if the schools you are thinking about attending are acceptable. A PTDI certification is a good thing at Crete.Do the VI maintain your following distance maintain your lane position observe the speed limit observe the things around you and keep good records
Safe driving to you.
Joe


Answer:
Many have made the mistake of paying to go to school them self.
The school (or mill) will teach you to pass the lic process. That is about it. You will get a tast of logs and some map reading skills. You still will have no "Over the road training"
95% of the carriers will still require you to go through there (over the road training)training. This will be either 2 weeks to 4 weeks with a trainer. You will be paid very, very little if anything at all during this time.
I had 4 years local driving experiance Still had to go through Schniders and MS Carriers school. Both paid me to be there. I left MS after 1 week. I found out it was going to be a 30 day thing. Sch paid me and I was done in 2 weeks. This was the best training I ever got! I left the local 682 doing local work to here. The traing was a real eye opener.
I would rather let the carrier foot the bill. Schneider, US Express and Covenent is 3500. You work there 1 year you own nothing. You quit you owe a balance.
It is easier to go there. Get your lic. Go out with a trainer. Get some experiance (at least 3 months beffore any one will look at you) then quit if you do not like them of what ever companie you do this with.
You then pay the differance or work out you contract.202 N Main Street
Summerfield Il 62289
TRUCK PARKING AVAILABLE!

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daytrader, I was accepted to go to Schneider but have decided to go on my own because I don't want to be locked in for a year or owe $3500 for a $2400 school. I will look at one of the many carriers that hires grads and reimburses.
I believe your assessment of the school is equally applicable to the carrier, if not more so. They will teach you to pass the lic. and begin driving to make them money ASAP. There is one company that uses the Houston Community College to get their drivers on the road. If I sign up with them and go to HCC I go for 3 weeks and start driving. If I enroll at HCC on my own I go for 7 weeks.
Call me crazy but I believe I get the better education by having 7 weeks of training rather than 3 weeks of training. I appreciate the feedback. I solicit it actually as I want to hear all viewpoints. I don't believe it is a mistake to pay for good training though.
Answer:
JoeTruckDriver, I've seen enough of your posts on here to believe you are a stand up guy. I appreciate the disclosure nonetheless. Crete is actually one of the companies on my list of companies that interest me. Does Crete have anything closer to Houston? Wilmer is about 250 miles north of me. Would Crete hire someone with that distance from the terminal? Does Crete hire grads straight out of a PTDI recognized school? Thanks for your input and assistance.
Answer:
That is the thing that impressed me about the training I got at Big Orange.
It wasn't the driving. That was nothing. I had been driving for 4 years before as a city driver.
The science we were taught is what I still use today.
Things like sleep deprivation and cycles.
How food works.
The skid pad was the best. I think ever driver out here should have to do this to get a CDL.
A ton of info on statistics and facts. Quit abit of stuff.
The driving part is easy. It really is. Many want to make it some art.
Your driving skills are built one way. Time behind the wheel. Lots of time. Long hard hours in bumper to bumper traffic for miles every day. The quicked you can get out on the road. The quicker you can build your skills.
Driving for 1 hour a day at a CDL school (normally have 3 others in the truck with you, have to share time) and going back in to watch every one else back in blind side for 3 hours dosn't help. I don't care if you do it for 1 week or 7 years. You will not build your skills this way.
The backing they teach is horrible. I haven't seen a school yet that takes you to truck stops to back all day. I have seen schools say it is ok to ru nover the cones they use. The poor student gets to the truck stop and takes off a hood. Happens every day.
IT IS NOT OK TO HIT THE CONES. THEY ARE TRUCKS!
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I have seen literaly THOUSANDS that have done it this way. I would say 90% end up the same way. Out of the industry in under 6 months.
The 10% that stay stick around for a bit.
This industry has a 105% for a reason. It starts at the schools.
Many will have no clue what it is like once they get out of school.
It is nothing like CDL school. Nothing at all.
I hope it all works out for you.
These Multiy BILLION dollar carriers do the training like they do for a reason.
Alot of the training is no good, but some of these companies do a good job at training you.
When I trained I was always courious how long the student would last.
Had some that didn't make it a one day. They were from PDI Schools.
The schools don't tell you or show you the "real LIFE of trucking".202 N Main Street
Summerfield Il 62289
TRUCK PARKING AVAILABLE!