Go with the short course if you choose that school. Honestly, there's really no such thing as a "paid externship". You're no longer a student at that point, you're a professional driver. You're in training with your first company. No one with the school will be with you and their job is done.
The school is almost certainly creating that course to have one long enough that it qualifies for backing from the Federal Government for student loans. Schools have no problem finding eager students, they're having a problem finding students that can afford the schooling. The Federal Government won't back student loans for most truck driving courses because they're too short. So a few schools have created "extended courses", I guess you could call em, to help students qualify for loans.
Even the 240 hour course is quite a bit longer than most. The key number is 160 hours. That's what most major trucking companies look for.
We have a ton of great information that will help you choose a truck driving school. Make sure you check these out before making any commitments:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
Very interesting... Thanks Brett!
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Has anyone been the California Career School commercial truck driving program, or know anyone who has? http://www.californiacareerschool.edu/
They have a "Commercial Truck Driver" program, and a "Professional Truck Driver" program.
The commercial program is 240 hours total, and seems to be similar to other private schools. The professional program is 301 hours, plus 299 hours "paid externship" training with trucking company that appears to be TNT.
The cost difference is only $500 and it seems to me it would be worth it to get actual one-on-one TNT time. Any thoughts? Would a perspective employer see it as a plus, or not?
Thanks!
TNT:
Trainer-N-Trainee
Prime Inc has their own CDL training program and it's divided into two phases - PSD and TNT.
The PSD (Prime Student Driver) phase is where you'll get your permit and then go on the road for 10,000 miles with a trainer. When you come back you'll get your CDL license and enter the TNT phase.
The TNT phase is the second phase of training where you'll go on the road with an experienced driver for 30,000 miles of team driving. You'll receive 14ยข per mile ($700 per week guaranteed) during this phase. Once you're finished with TNT training you will be assigned a truck to run solo.