Comments By Jared D.

So today was my CDL test day, felt so confident. I only got 2 points on my Pre-trial and got 1 point on my backing because I used and extra pull up on my alley dock. We get to the road test, about halfway through its going pretty great,I go to make a right turn and out of nowhere this car comes flying out of nowhere and cuts off my extra space after I've already committed to the turn and forced me to cut it short and my trailer tires grazed the curb. Ahhhhhh I just wanna scream!!!!! I realized now I should've just stopped right there, but my brain was so racked from nerves it didn't register. Hopefully I'll get to retest tomorrow not real sure though.

Pre-trip* lol

So today was my CDL test day, felt so confident. I only got 2 points on my Pre-trial and got 1 point on my backing because I used and extra pull up on my alley dock. We get to the road test, about halfway through its going pretty great,I go to make a right turn and out of nowhere this car comes flying out of nowhere and cuts off my extra space after I've already committed to the turn and forced me to cut it short and my trailer tires grazed the curb. Ahhhhhh I just wanna scream!!!!! I realized now I should've just stopped right there, but my brain was so racked from nerves it didn't register. Hopefully I'll get to retest tomorrow not real sure though.

Thanks for the edit Brett, kinda forgot to space it out lol

So my first week at Drive-Train is complete. Its a very nice school, fast paced, the program is about 3 weeks. Monday was an introduction pretty much, we went down and took physical and drug test for med card, and then come back after lunch, we got right into the book and studied on general knowledge till 5.

Tuesday- Not a whole lot going on, class room for 10 hours studying the General knowledge section. Wednesday- We got to class and studied and went over some practice test for about an hour, then went to the DMV to take the general knowledge, missed 7 out of the 10 allowed and was mainly because i did not read the answer fully, learned my lesson on that one. Lol. Started class back after lunch and covered Air Brakes and Combinations until 5.

Thursday- We got to school and did a review and on AB & Combinations. Went and took my test at DMV, proud to say i didn't miss any on either and finished both in 9 minutes, Thanks to the High Road Training Program , I have not got to do all of it yet due to working long hours before starting school but plan on finishing it. So got my permit and headed back to school, finished off the day learning about Pre-Trip. Friday- Everybody starts the day off by getting in groups of 3-4 and doing the Pre-Trip with your sheet on a truck and trailer they assign you too. After that the students who are in week 2-3 was practicing on their backing or testing out, Week 1 students watched and did Pre-Trips on a truck and trailer that wasn't being used. I have already almost got engine and in-cab down.

After lunch, the new students got a chance at making some laps around the yard and then some straight backing but due to a lot of instructors out today due to recertifications they had to do, we didn't get a lot of time on it, but out of the few tries I had I didn't knock any barrels but was hugged the hell out of them. Got the weekend off so gonna relax and spend a little time practicing Pre-trip on my dads truck. Have a great weekend everybody!

I'm sure they're a good school or the major companies wouldn't hire from there. Unfortunately a lot of companies require 160 hours of training and their course is 150 hours. I don't know if other companies would draw a hard line in the sand and refuse to hire from there or not. But if you're going with Schneider then obviously that's the place to go.

Just be aware of the minimum requirements other companies may have before choosing a school. Always verify that the company you'd like to work for hires from school you're going to attend.

Yeah Schneider is who I'm wanting to work for, and I'm scheduled to start Monday, even though it's a 150 hour school and not a 160 as long as I worked for Schneider for 1-2 years and got the experience , it wouldn't hurt me later on if I decided to go local would it?

From their website:

• 14 days of Training
• Quality training by professional licensed instructors
• Quality, up-to-date equipment
• 150-hour course
• (30% classroom / 70% field & road training)
• Tuition for full time student is $4,995.00
• Company Paid Training
• Student Tuition Loans Available
• Job Placement Assistance

150 hours in 14 days of schooling? Wow. Well, they're preparing you for life in the trucking industry I'd say. I went to a school (back in '93 this is) that was 350 hours over 7 weeks (35 days school days).

Just make sure any company you're interested in, Schneider in this case, does indeed hire from any school you're considering.

Yeah Brett, Schneider has a contract with this school and is covering the tuition for me to attend.

Curious to see if anyone has ever attended this school, it's a 2 week course in Jackson, TN?

2 weeks to do what? get your cdl? That does not sound like enough time... from my understanding the DOT requires a min of 40 hours classroom time... that only leaves you a little over a week (if you had no time off) to learn to drive the truck and get practice with all the things such as pre trips, backing, log books, etc...

Yeah, it's a short 14 day class, but it's a school Schneider will sponsor you to go to.

Curious to see if anyone has ever attended this school, it's a 2 week course in Jackson, TN?

Nope you covered everything. Another physical on the first day and you will have your blood pressure checked again. As far as going home or out depends if your otr, regional etc also will depend on what your DBL gives you but more than likely the next day you will be working.

Thanks, and I'm going OTR

I'm currently set up to go thru schooling for Schnieder, then to their orientation at West Memphis, Ar. Can anyone give me any info on what those 18 days consist of? From what I understand the first week is classroom and training pad, second week is on the road with a trainer, and then the next is back to the OC for some more class and final testing and then issued my own truck, or am I wrong? Also after orientation and getting my own truck do I go home for a day or two, or do I go out for 2 weeks? Either way is fine with me, I'm just curious.