Question:
I’ve been considering getting a CDL For a few years. And now seems to a good time to do it. I’ve been look at a school called Sage Technical Institute in Casper Wyoming and I had some questions.
1) Has anyone ever heard of this school or gone to this school before and if so are they any good?
2) Does anyone know of any good company in the Wyoming area that are any good for a newbie starting out?
3) This one is a little silly but here goes – is backing up as hard as it looks?
4) Do all companies have there own training programs or do you just hit the road running when hired?
I will ask more as I think of them
Thanks in advance for any help anyone can give

Answer:
Can't answer #1 or #2 but yes, backing is very hard until you get the hang of it. Problem is, no 2 places you will be going are the same and take different setups to get it into the hole. Also, new drivers tend to over or under steer.
As for #4, all companies I know of will put you with a trainer for 3-5 weeks. How long you're with a trainer depends on how fast you progress. Hope this helps.
Time's fun when you're having flies - Kermit The Frog

Answer:
yes that was helpfull thanks
I will take any more advice from anyone you can never have too much information

Answer:
Dont know of any WY. based outfits that do in-house training(off the top of my noggin) There is a flatbed outfit in Sheridan called "Craig Scheckla Trucking" and PDQ is in Cheyenne(pdq is owned by Keen,the east coast machinery haulers)
I am sure all the regular "training companies" will hire out of Wy. if that is a route you want to pursue.....Good luck to ya.
CD -->
"I dont like small cars or real big women,but somehow I always find my self in 'em" (Kid Rock)
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CD
recovering dweller..........oilfield trash division

Answer:
It doesn't have to be in wyoming as long as they have a root that goes near were i'm liveing and if i'm very lucky near Reading Pa also
I have a new question
5) What some of the best ways to get funding for going to truck driveing school -- like does any one know of any Grants for Federal programs or wyoming state programs or even a good company program

Answer:
For starters check with the school you plan on attending. They may be able to offer you advice as to the financial aid available in your state.
Some possible sources are:
Job training grants offered though the employment department.
Veterns grants
If you are a Native American there may be grants offered through a tribal council.
Many trucking companies offer tuition assistance in exchange for a contractual agreement. (Ie they will pay for school, you work for them for a min of 1 year).
I will always be a mutter trucker at heart.
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Answer:
I Found some from financial aid i was just wondering if anybody know any by name
and with the company programs i'm hopeing someone knows a good one that won't try and ripe me off because i've read on this board that that some screw you over every chance they get. but i may be wrong that is why i'm asking

Answer:
You could get training on your own at a private school or community college course. Check to see how many different backing maneuvers they teach. More is better.
There are companies that have their own training schools. Www.Roehl.net, www.Schneider.com and www.MillisTransfer.com are three with excellent reputations for training. Schneider has a training facility in Carlisle Pa near Harrisburg. Going to a company training program will obligate you for a 1 year contract.

Answer:
YOU SOULD GO TO THE WEBSITE,napftds,THATS ASITE FOR SCHOOLSALL OVER THE COUNTRY.TRY SOUTHEAST CUMMUNITY COLLEGE,LINCILN NEBRASKA. --> --> -->

Answer:
I found a descent private School Sage Technical Institute
http://www.sageschools.com/
I’m just trying to find way to pay for it now.
but i will check out those companys thanks a lot
[This message was edited by Alokkair on December 03, 2003 at 17:57.]

Answer:
Go down to the unemployment office and ask them about the W.I.A. program. It stands for Workforce Investment Act. You can get free schooling through them. That is were I got the funding for my school. The best part is you don't have to pay it back!

Answer:
Hey Buckeye, did you go to a carriers school like Schneider or Roehl? And have you heard anything about US Xpress? They have a PTDI certified school in Medway Ohio. If you didn't go to a carrier's school, who did you go to work for when you finished the school you attended? Thanks.

Answer:
I check with W.I.A programs they told me that most of the is used up untill June so i'm now looking to the pell Grant But I still will take anymore ideas you all may have
I appreciated all the help you all have given me so far thank a lot and keep it coming

Answer:
3) This one is a little silly but here goes – is backing up as hard as it looks?
Check this out: www.newbiedriver.com
They have an "Articles" section and one of them deals with backing.
Really, backing is mostly a matter of the proper setup, and then manipulating the angle you create through the set up, Turning the wheel to the left DECREASES the angle, turning the wheel to the right INCREASES the angle.
Most driver are flustered when just learning how to back, but then comes the AH HA moment when you can say "Oh, NOW I get what's going on!"
So if you feel bamboozled at first, take comfort: you're normal.
And it's the easy docks which sometimes embarrass a driver. Yesterday I made a blinside 90 degree dock, with just one small pull up, and had the tractor 90 degrees to the trailer, and the trailer flush against the dock all the way across.
Then I got back to the wharehouse, and had to make 4 pull ups to hit a dock I've shot a hundred times on the first try. Oh, well...
I've always been crazy, but it's kept me from going insane.
Waylon Jennings

Answer:
The Way it is going now I may have to use the company Training it is between Roehl and Schneider and right now I’m leaning towards Schneider does anybody know if they are PTDI-certified and how much it Cost to go there? Unless somebody knows a better place to go.
The one year contract don't bother me to much i mean i will need the experience no matter what and it would be nice to have a job right off the bat I just want to make sure it is with a good company
[This message was edited by Alokkair on December 07, 2003 at 16:18.]