Trucking School

Has anyone attended school at TDI? There is one here in Dallas and they say the school takes only 15 days. That's really quick to me. Me and my husband are trying to decide which school to attend. My husband went through Texas Workforce WIA program to get his school paid for and he works a temporary job but full-time. TWC (texas workforce) has made him take off work 2 days already only to find out he needs to take off another at least 2 days to jump through some more hoops. My husbands job will probably fire him if he takes off more work and gov programs are never for sure. We checked out TDI who said you could get a loan and company will reimburse but that is not guaranteed either because we both have backgrounds and the recruiter said some companies do not reimburse for school. Any advice or has anyone attended TDI that can give me some information as to what kind of school and if that's enough time to attend?

Also, We are trying to get hired on by Schneider to team but I don't want to quit my job right now because I do have a decent job and will wait until my husband gets hired. Most reviews said Schneider is a pretty good company to work for and they are local and only about 10 minutes from our house. When companies say they give a hiring bonus for teams do you both have to start at the same time or will they give it to us after I go to school at the first of next year?

As far as the hiring bonus for teams you'd have to start at the same time.

Schneider National is indeed an excellent company so it's well worth considering as a place to start.

I don't know anything about that school but two weeks isn't enough training. Most companies are going to want a minimum of 160 hours of training. I know Schneider has certain schools they will hire from, as do most companies.

Before making any decisions I would go through our Truck Driver's Career Guide. There's a ton of information about your choices for schooling, how to choose a school, how to choose a company to work for, and all kinds of stuff. I consider it essential reading for anyone considering a career in trucking.

Might want to check out US Express also, there offering a bonus. Good Luck!

It is actually three weeks. Monday through Friday 0700 to 1700 (5pm). There will be some extra hours for night driving too and in all it adds up to 160 Hrs, which is what you will need to meet the proper requirement. I attended TDI in Tennessee and that was our schedule.

Oh....if it's 160 hours and major companies hire from there then they're worth considering for sure.

Oh....if it's 160 hours and major companies hire from there then they're worth considering for sure.

Yes, sorry about that. It's 15 days but that is business days so that is 3 weeks. I went back to them and checked after your response but thank you.

I will be starting at TDI Dallas Monday. I already have my CDL but my experience was 6 years ago. I also have Veterans benefits, so school is paid for. Essentially, since none of my experience is recent, this will help me get the 160 hours I need. I've already spoken to a hiring recruiter at Schneider as well. If there's enough interest, I wouldn't mind sharing my experience with the school, but also bear in mind it's more of a refresher for me

I attended TDI in Indianapolis and was very happy with my experience. Although different schools will have different instructors.

I originally financed through the school with 6 months no interest and planned on getting a personal before the promo expired. I went to school in November and they called in January with an offer. If I paid my loan by the end of January they would accept $4500 to settle the $5900 loan. I immediately called my bank and took out a personal loan. Great deal for me!

Considering tuition reimbursement many offer it but be sure to get details. Mainly are there minimums to be met like monthly mileage? My first job offered tuition reimbursement and I never saw a dime of it. Kept asking but they never got it straight. A friend started at the same time as I with the same issues. He eventually got them to pay but had to keep on them to get it.

Woody

I went to tdi in sanford fl and was very pleased. They work very hard to place you. Make sure you do the background & finance approval very early so you know where you stand. For instance my credit is so so. Have 2 good installment loans with over a year. A couple of good under year revolving accounts. A less than year forclosure, a 5 year old repo. They apporved me with $3500 down. And after 2 weeks i paid another $1500 to pay it off rather than finance the other $2500. They will discount $1000 for cash payment. Its called a "scholarship." my friend that went with me has exceptional credit. But probably overextended. He had to put $1500 down but also just paid cash. By the time you take into consideration the $1000 discount and the 18% intrest, you are better off getting your own financing. Tuition reimbursement is a bit of a joke with all the company's. You are lucky to get $100 per month outta them. Some did $200 but thats rare. Your payments financed through the school are $250 to $300. Hope my experience is some sorta help to you. Good luck

15 days? Now that's a quick course. I start Dec 22 here in Buffalo and taking a 10 week course....320 hours. Its an approved school by all of the major carriers. Now of course its costing me upfront, but I honestly feel the training will be well worth the cost.