Deciding Between FCG And A&B CDL In Grand Rapids, MI

Hello all,

Just got my permit recently and thinking to go to a CDL school in Grand Rapids MI. Not sure which one would be better and hope some of you can give me some insights or your experience when attending these two schools.

Thank you.

Hi Princess Gear!

I'm curious if you have specific goals or desires. Do you want to get out on the open road? There will be more opportunities for a new class A driver in an over the road type job.

Are you needing something that has you home every night? A class B job would be more suitable in that case, although there are plenty of class A local jobs also. They will be more difficult to get with no experience.

Tell us what your dream driving job is and we can give some advice. You don't have to stay local for training. There are plenty of companies providing support and income for and during the training process.

Check out these links for some helpful information.

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road CDL Training Program
• CDL Practice Tests

Hi old school,

Thanks for the reply. I'm looking to start OTR. Im debating between two schools at the moment and am hoping some of yall can give me an insight of how these two schools are. Thank you.

Princess Gear,

What you need to look at, since you apparently didn't read the links Old School posted for you, is to look at what those schools offer. Actually those type of schools will get you your CDL A but no more than that. Some might bring in companies to talk with you but a fair amount do not...so then you are stuck getting your own job which will be hard to do in this economy. Currently there is an overage of qualified drivers, so new drivers with no experience are having a much harder time getting hired.

Your better bet is to apply to trucking companies with schools, work for them a minimum of one year to get your experience. As long as you pass their schooling, you will have a job and that schooling is paid off. Different trucking companies have different plans for their schooling but all are good and will teach you more than independent schools.

Truck Driving School Listings

Apply For Paid CDL Training

Hello MTN GAL,

Thanks for letting me know that.

The private schools that I’m currently looking at did told me they offer job placement after training. Is this still something I should look forward to or would I just be better off applying for company with school?

Sorry I’m a bit wishy washy now after knowing I might not land a job after private trucking school.

Seriously, having gone thru a private school and having had to find a company on my own, then struggle with not knowing the rules of the road as well as I should and a boss that made up his own interpretation of HOS (Hours of Service) laws (running illegal), I truly wish I had gone thru a company training program. Electronic logs pretty much put a stop to the illegal driving, but I still believe that company training and driving is a better bet.

Laura

There are VERY GOOD reasons that TT (we) push people towards a company sponsored training program.

Also, trucking very much fits the phrase "You do not know what you don't know, until you need it, and don't know it."

The questions I had before starting this career are VERY different than the ones I would have after two and a half years doing this. Again, this is not a judgment on you personally, just a statement of the industry as a whole.

Number one, if you have any type of hiccup in your past, you will know if it's a major stumbling block, or just a speed bump. You would probably feel defeated if you went through, and passed, but then couldn't get hired anywhere. By going the company training route, they are investing money in your success. They WANT you to make use of the time and resources they have invested in you.

Number two, most of the programs pay you while you are training. This can include lodging.

Number three, as Laura said, you will have the knowledge necessary to follow your individual companies policies and procedures from day one solo.

Number four, IMO better student to instructor ratio before passing your CDL road test, and one on one road training. Having my trainer at hand, when I was still learning how to actually do the job was priceless.

Number five, once you go solo, there will be that shove out of the frying pan, and into the fire. It's scary, no matter how prepared for it you are. Put yourself in the best position for success as possible.

Number six, do everything you can, to avoid any "dedicated" account that contains the word "Dollar." In theory, it's an awesome idea. In practice, it's a career killer for many, when they are too new to understand how bad an incident stacks against you.

Hello MTN GAL,

Thanks for letting me know that.

The private schools that I’m currently looking at did told me they offer job placement after training. Is this still something I should look forward to or would I just be better off applying for company with school?

Sorry I’m a bit wishy washy now after knowing I might not land a job after private trucking school.

Here's a bit more information for you. Not directly related to which school, but for the bigger picture.

If you are accepted into a company school, you are all but hired on with them. They do their background checks and stuff on you before you are invited to class.

Having a terminal (offices) near your home is not important. Wherever you are "based", your company will be able to get you home for your home time. Whether a load with extra time on it and routing that passes through Grand Rapids, or pick-up or deliver there, it will work out.

If you choose to go with a company school, your company will provide transportation from home to their school. These are questions you can ask a company recruiter.

Just to make a point clear, if a school says they offer job placement after completing the school, it is not a GUARANTEE that you will be able to find a job. Some schools have good connections but some not so much.

But as stated by others in their comments, getting accepted to training with paid company training will get you a job unless you fail their program.