Question:
Hello Everyone,
I am a 'newbie' and have signed up for training at this school. I have REALLY enjoyed reading all these posts and I'm impressed with all of the knowledge that people have offered.
I would like to hear from anyone who had attended this school - good, bad, whatever! I have read the posts comparing the schools and its not too late to go somewhere else as I have a few weeks to undo my registration I suppose.
I understand that this school loads the truck up with students so they can review/learn from each other. How did this work out?
My interest in taking this training is to come out of it feeling that I am prepared to enter this industry as a professional. So, let's here what you have to say...
Thanks!
[This message was edited by Bgg on April 23, 2003 at 16:14.]

Answer:
I have no experience with the school you are referring to but I am a little concerned with your comment about loading the truck up with students. Do you know how many students are in the truck at any given time watching? Also has the sleeper compartments of these trucks been modified to provide a safe place for the students to sit and watch? Also is any of this watching time included in your drive time? Finally just how much of actual hands on drive time will you have?
If you have not done so already I suggest you go to truckschoolsusa.comand read through the information there about what to look for in a driving school and questions to ask the school before committing your time and money there.
Only two things I know of are infinite. The universe and human stupidity, and I am not real sure about the universe.
Answer:
Uturn...
Do you know how many students are in the truck at any given time watching? Also has the sleeper compartments of these trucks been modified to provide a safe place for the students to sit and watch? Also is any of this watching time included in your drive time? Finally just how much of actual hands on drive time will you have?
Thanks for these questions, and yes I have reviewed the info at the link you provided - all good stuff.
I passed these questions by the school and the head instructor replied and told me that several of the trucks, used in the manner I described, are modified by removing the sleeper portion and replacing with two seats (seatbelted). Therefore, when this type of training occurs, one student is driving, the instructor is... instructing, and up to two other students are watching intently (at least that's the idea).
These training cruises are for three hours at a time with each student getting an hour behind the wheel. The argument is that one can learn a great deal watching, as well as driving. The total published "yard & road" time is 122 hours.
Here's a link to the school web site:
NTI Home Page
Thanks again, and I'd still like to hear from some NTI grads...
Bg

Answer:
Think for a moment about how much you will learn from watching someone else drive. Do you learn by sitting in the back seat of a car? How would you feel if you were behind the wheel for the first time and three people were watching over your shoulder. Now add in the fact you only drive for an hour at a time.
The question you need to ask is how much time do you spend driving the truck, sitting behind the wheel. This does not include observation time in the modified sleeper. This does not include walking around the truck doing your pre-trip. It does not include watching the instructor drive. How much time do you get to drive the truck? You might be amazed at the answer.

Answer:
Originally posted by kiteline:
Think for a moment about how much you will learn from watching someone else drive. Do you learn by sitting in the back seat of a car? How would you feel if you were behind the wheel for the first time and three people were watching over your shoulder. Now add in the fact you only drive for an hour at a time.
The question you need to ask is how much time do you spend driving the truck, sitting behind the wheel. This does not include observation time in the modified sleeper. This does not include walking around the truck doing your pre-trip. It does not include watching the instructor drive. How much time do you get to drive the truck? You might be amazed at the answer.
Sorta brings to mind the old "Driver's Ed" programs, doesn't it? One car, three students and an instructor. You got to drive for a whole 15 minutes each, three times a week and then you were "tested" before you went down to get your license.... Of course, those grey hairs your Dad had were from when he "helped" you with your "home work!"
My other vehicle is a '99 Electra Glide!!!! I ride for those who can't! POW/MIA - You are NOT forgotten!!
Lead, Follow or get out of my way!!!

Answer:
I would like to add some followup to my question...
I have decided to back out of my enrollment in this school and decided instead to enroll in the local PTDI-certified school, which is literally "just down the street". I would not have known that this school existed had I not done some research on PTDI, as suggested by folks on this web site. Thanks!
The (sales & admissions) folks at NTI were great and easy to deal with, and I want to get on record my reasons for switching schools. The following is not an exhaustive comparison, but its some of the high points. Both schools are private schools, NTI is larger and their facilities appear to be brand new. They also offer IT and Bartending courses as well. ProDrive is truck driving only.
Before I go any further, here are the web site links to both schools.
NTI
ProDrive
I think its important when starting something different, to get off to a solid start, and that means getting solid training if its available.
I evaluated both schools, at least a cursory check based on what I could see as a rank beginner. Both courses that I looked at are 4-weeks in length. The schools are both in Maine (So. Portland) so since I live in New Hampshire, this will mean some local housing costs.

• Classroom Facilities
  The NTI school is in a newer building with nice though small classrooms. The classrooms are setup basically for multiple uses as they teach IT and bar-tending in the same school. So the computers populate the same room where you will learn to drive trucks.
  Prodrive in-class facilities are in what appears to be an older building however the ceilings are taller and rooms are well-lit. So the classroom appears to be a place where you can stay awake.
  
• Driving Lesson Facilities
  NTI driving facilities occurs down the street at the Scarborough Downs parking lot - a fairly large area though it gets crowded once the trucks are in play. The trucks look to be fairly new, small tractor-trailer rigs - single rear axle tractors.
  Up to three students drive with an instructor.
  The ProDrive facilities is a much smaller lot, however it looks like there are only a couple trucks anyway. So, for practicing backing into small spaces, it should work well.
  One student to one instructor for driving.
  
• Teaching Method
  NTI uses instructor/lecture, video instruction and maybe other methods as well, but this is what I remember seeing during my tour. A training room was shown with people in class watching a video on TV.
  ProDrive uses lecture-only. The instructor is the owner of the school - an articulate professional driver with career-level experience. After spending an hour with him, I was very impressed and am looking forward to classes.
  
• Hours
  The NTI school day is 07:00 AM to 05:30 PM.
  The Prodrive school day is of a very different format: 11:00 AM to 01:00 PM and then 05:30 PM to 08:30 PM. As an (former) IT industry person, I see a benefit to this schedule. Think about the time in the day when you can best learn. I can say that for me at least, not a whole lot of learning takes place after lunch! (ZZZZZzzzz) I believe this schedule also allows ProDrive to support their 7-week (nights) program in the later session.
  I'm also hoping to get on my bicycle in the afternoon and get some exercise, and also to study in the same period.
  
• Cost
  NTI is currently about $5295.00, including a recent fuel surcharge of $100. There is also a $50.00 application and then a $150.00 registration fee as well. Pretty much everything is included in this price.
  ProDrive is currently $4010.00 for tuition, if you do not use ProDrive financing. Please note that there may be other application costs, but I have not run into them so far. Also, since I live out of state I have a few more costs associated with licensing. I believe I will have to pay for the license cost and the cost to have a truck there for for the test. The truck cost is split by the number of grads using the truck on that day. Cost for the truck is $200.00.
  
• Housing
  NTI has an arrangement with a local motel chain to provide 4-day/week accomodations for $860.00 during the 4-week training period.
  ProDrive also has arrangements with local hotels. I was able to find nice, clean, friendly hotel that will house me for $125/week (7-days!), for the first three weeks of the course. After this, I can commute or find something else. Anyway, this will save me a few buck, which is important.
  

So for now at least, my reasons for switching schools is that I like the one student/one instructor driving arrangement, the lower overall cost, the personality/knowledge of the instructor, small class size, and lower cost of accomodations at ProDrive.
I hope this helps someone else in their school choice decisions. Also, check out the school web sites - lots of info there as well.
Bg

Answer:
I graduated from NTI last year and had a good experience for the most part.My only concern was with the class size.You have to be agressive to make sure you get your drive time and practice backing.
Pro drive is near my terminal and the lot they have is very small.The trucks are also junk.

Answer:
My choice for a Truck Driving School would be:
Central Tech. - web page
Total Cost for Out of State Students is $2485.00