Comments By David M. "The Amazin Cajun Racing Snail"

Thanks Anchorman. Same thread, further down she talks about another school I haven't been able to find.

Post by bulldawg010 Apr 30th, 2012, 9:13pm

Thanks for all the input.......I decided to call another college that offers a CDL program; it's a technical college and their program is PTDI certified. It's 7 weeks long, Monday-Friday 7-3pm...for $313 total! A grant is automatically included. Maximum of 6 students to a class which begins monthly. It's a 240-hr course. The guy I spoke with mentioned how they split up the students, 3 would be in their own trucks learning how to back while the other 3 would be in a truck with a road instructor.. so no one is really "waiting their turn." They require certain amount of hours with loads, without loads, night time, etc (although I'm not sure how the night thing works if you're there during the day)... The only costs upfront to secure your spot in the class is $132, and that is part of the $313. $50 for physical, $50 for drug screen, $17 for motor vehicle report and $15 for the permit. Wow...this is just getting more exciting by the day. This seems SO much more affordable, hard to pass this up. We're thinking about enrolling July or August, just depends. But OMG...we're really excited. Need to schedule a visit to the campus in the next week or so. What do you guys think?!?

Thanks Errol. The dang buttons. Lol maybe the trees have been in the way ;)

I also wanted to ask if there is anyone out there who knows of any vo tech/technical colleges in southeast Louisiana where I could just get my CDL on my own.

We have a listing of truck driving schools in Louisiana. The closest one to the Southeastern part of the state appears to be Acadiana Technical College in Crowley.

Yeah thanks Brett. I've been to that page. Great site by the way. =)

Yours truly said, " I saw an old post from 2012 by bulldawg010 about 2 schools down here. One was in Crowley and that seemed fine. Then she mentioned a second school that would cost much less but didn't give the name or location. Ha ha ha I haven't figured out how to look her up yet."

Sorry I haven't figured how to do multiple quotes yet side from wiring the b code and I'm pressed for time atm.

If I find the link to the post I'll plop it down. Thanks for the responses guys. I'm sure if anyone passes by and knows of somewhere else they'll share. U guys r great and I'm really enjoying picking through the forum and also the training course is pretty good. I really like it. Makes it easy to retain the info. Great job

Lol Errol I know exactly how you feel with the spelling. I hadn't found the application feature yet. Thanks a bunch. =) As for C.R. England that's kinda what me and the wife were thinking. Thanks for that resource.

No luck on finding another technical college with CDL courses today though. =/ maybe someone on here knows of one in the area?

Hi Wayne, I've been having problems with la workforce's astoundingly inadequate HIRE site (keeps telling me I have multiple HIRE windows open. I don't. /=) but as soon as I can get it going I plan on checking out the qualifications for the wia program. I can't afford coastal but I hadn't heard of diesel driving academy yet. Thanks a bunch! I'll check them out today.

Anyone else? Any vo tech/technical colleges with CDL A programs in the area that you might know of? Google isn't being friendly on this one.

Yeah, it's good that this was a topic. I just did an app and talked with a recruiter with driver solutions and experienced the "lite" version of this same scenario. Being it was the lite version I wasn't as worried but I was concerned about some of the info being ....modified. Thanks again trucking truth and thanks seejaytron for posting this topic.

Just wanted to say hi from Louisiana. I'm 32, I come from construction and I'm sick to death of the layoffs and head chopping butt kissers. I want to make a clean start in OTR trucking. I like the idea of running reefers coast to coast but I'm not settled on any one area. I'm used to working away from home for months and weeks on end with little or no home time. I'm used to living out of tiny campers, tents, sleeping bags, pickup trucks and such. I've driven Isuzu flatbed's & F-450's with 40' flatbed's on short runs from Austin to Houston and back hauling galvanized steel to Jonestown, TX after Katrina. I know none of that's the same but I'm optimistic. =)

I've been reading on this site and about a million company sites for a while now. So much information. I've spoken with Gwen, a recruiter from the much hated C.R. England and they didn't seem too bad. I've also spoken with Brian from Driver Solutions (affiliated with PAM Transport) and they seem real nice too. I have another hundred thousand phone calls to make but before I do I wanted to register and say hi to all you nice folks.

I also wanted to ask if there is anyone out there who knows of any vo tech/technical colleges in southeast Louisiana where I could just get my CDL on my own. You see I'm laid off and I can't afford one of the private schools what with the wife's medical bills and....(you know the drill). I'm also worried about the horror stories about the CDL mills letting people go with bad reference before their contract is up. Then I'd owe a bill I couldn't pay. (Yikes) I saw an old post from 2012 by bulldawg010 about 2 schools down here. One was in Crowley and that seemed fine. Then she mentioned a second school that would cost much less but didn't give the name or location. Ha ha ha I haven't figured out how to look her up yet.

Oh well, I'm not a talker but when I get going I don't stop. Sorry for rambling. Thanks for all the information you guys and gals have been pumping into this site and once again, hello from Louisiana. Dave