Question:
Which companies (like Schnieder?) train and test you on-site---so you never really fail until you pass? In other words, a "CDL Mill?"
Which schools do this?
My reasoning is that I'm attempting to assist a friend (soon to be former if he continues his irresponsible behaviour) obtain a class A CDL.
I am looking at the "smoothest" route because:
A)He's verrrry nervous about this; He's been thinking about this for over 2.5 years which shows how much trepadation he has.
1)He does have 6 mos. experience with a 24ft box and 7 speed(under 26,001 thus no class B), and drives quite well.
B)I don't feel the conventional school route is for him because
1)He does not have deep pockets (yet)--in other words, his wallet is light and he does not want to plunk down $3000 right now. Yes, I realize that if he goes through a company program and does not drive for that company, he will be responsible for tuition (possible higher than $3000) but this route would be smoother than the conventional school route where you plunk down $3 grand and maybe get a few hours seat time, if you are lucky.
2)Although he is a fast learner, I don't feel the conventional school atmosphere will suit him.
C)The other alternative would be to practice with my equipment. While this would probably the most inexpensive way to go, I feel it is not the smoothest because:
1)It is a little more risky in this manor--with the CDL mills you are virtually guaranteed a licence.
a)A plastic junkliner FLD 120 with hi-rise sleeper is not the ideal truck to take a test in.
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Answer:
I can offer this piece of advice:
You will be doing him no favor by teaching him yourself and then taking him to get his liscence and testing in your truck. The reason is that as a newbie he needs that "diploma" from a trucking school to land his first job and more than likely any Class A driving job for the first two or three years.
While huntung around for schools or trying to get a trucking company to send him to school be sure to ask a lot of questions. In my view many of the company schools are "Mills". They are often only 10-14 days long with no classroom time and the students are expected to study and completely pass the written tests on their own. Also several of these schools will consistantly max out on students each cycle and actual behind the wheel time is very limited. Now I am not saying all the company schools are like this but enough are that it pays to ask some very direct questions. The same goes with any driving school. The quality of training is what differetiates a Mill from a driver training facility.
I will always be a mutter trucker at heart.
Answer:
There are some pretty attractive financing options available too so he might not have to plunk down 3 grand out of his pocket. I won't do that... I have always been taught to never use your own money for anything, and I live by that creed religiously. Unless the APR is way more than my cash will earn invested I am financing school.
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Save the trees, eat more beavers.

Answer:
Which companies (like Schnieder?) train and test you on-site---so you never really fail until you pass? In other words, a "CDL Mill?"

Answer:
There is no simple answer to your question because various states have different rules as far as on site and off site testing. Also states do have some different limits too how often you can test in any given period of time.
Your larger companeis like Schnieder, Swift, PAM, etc that offer "company" schools have them scattered all over the USA and each one has to abide by the rules set up for that particular state. In addition to that each company may have its own rules as to how often a student can stay in school.
In all honesty your best bet to get the best answer to your question is to tak to companies like PAM, Swift, US Xpress, Schnieder, Roehl, Millis, USA Truck, all of which offer (last I knew) offer company financed schooling.
One last thing. No true "Mill" is going to let a student test, test, and test again. Their only goal is to collect money and to do that they have to get a student in and out as fast as possible with as little effort as possible.
I will always be a mutter trucker at heart.