Seeking School Info In SE Michigan Area
Topic 7689 | Page 1
Bob, first off welcome !!!
Both private and company sponsored programs are a good way to go. As I'm sure you'll see many times on here, your success is up to you.
There are a great deal of companies that offer tuition reimbursement for drivers who choose the private route and generally speaking, you're involved in a commitment to that company for paying off the education. If you leave, the remainder is yours to pay so from that point it's a personal choice.
The one advantage I see with company sponsored is that you do everything at one location as opposed to going to a school and then going to another location for the company training so once again is a personal choice. Either or will get you to the same result, your career in trucking. Also, with private training you'll apply to multiple companies which for some is a perk but you can do all of that in advance and have pre hire letters waiting for you when you start school.
It's a tough decision and one I muddled through to find which company was going to be the best fit for me and I finally found it. So good luck, great seeing you and look forward to reading about your endeavors.
Pre Hire:
What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?
Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.
We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.
A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment
The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.
During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.
OOS:
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.
Bob M, your best deal is to research companies you'd like to work for, first. Look here Trucking Companies and here: How To Choose A Company. Find the (promised) benefits you're looking for. Make a short list, at least three companies, or more. Call the recruiters (Warning, most recruiters are wanting to sell you on their company, but pick their brains.)
Now you have a few targets. The ones you are serious about, obtain pre-hire letters. Consider these company schools, and compare them to private schools you like. Look here: Truck Driving Schools and here: How To Choose A School.
Here's a quick and dirty on schools: Company schools are shorter and the pressure is on to do things right, and learn quickly. (I did Swift's company school.) Private schools might take a bit more time, and might be a bit easier. (Remember, YOU are paying THEM!)
As soon as you can, like tonight, hit the books: High Road Training Program is thee best study program. If your target school/company allows it, go ahead and get your Michigan CDL permit. That's a head start.
I just got a dispatch. Gotta go!
Good lock, Bob M., make TT your base is operations.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Pre-hire:
What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?
Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.
We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.
A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment
The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.
During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.
OOS:
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.
Good lock, Bob M.
Good LUCK... !
These cell phone spell checkers think they know more than you do!
Thanks, Robert and Errol. Sounds like you guys have been really serious about making the best/right choices for your schooling and trucking experience. Appreciate the feedback. I can see how valuable the High Road Training Program is going to be and I'll be devoting much time to it very soon, just have to get past a couple family obligations. Thanks again.
Bob
I filled out the bio section but it hasn't shown up yet (moderator approval needed?)
Hey Robert, that's my bad. I made changes to the forum recently and didn't update that page properly. Try updating your profile now. I didn't have the buttons setup right with the new changes and now they are. It should work fine.
Really sorry about that.
Hi Bob, I'm based in Marine City, MI. I ended up going to a private school which was Coast to Coast. To be honest and with hindsight, I think I should have gone down the road of company training.....but that is just mine own opinion. I've been working at Swift now for nearly two years. I'm based out of the New Boston, Detroit terminal. They do have dedicated, but that fleet is hard to get into. I run Canada which means I'm home most weekends. I've also thought about running with the automotive fleet which is home most or every other weekend.........which is what I believe you might be looking for. I wish you luck with what ever you choose. Without doubt this has been the most informative and well balanced website there is on trucking. It started me in this business and is still my main go to for all the information I need.
Take care and best of luck
Mick
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
OOS:
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.
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Hi Everyone! My name is Bob. I recently joined the forum and I'm totally impressed with the amount of information available to a want-to-be truck driver. I filled out the bio section but it hasn't shown up yet (moderator approval needed?). Started digging into the High Road Training Program and I can see how it will be a very valuable tool for getting a head start with schooling. Speaking of schooling, I live in White Lake, MI and I called the two closest schools to me (in Pontiac & Fenton) from the school list provided, and both have their lines disconnected. Does anyone have experience with any schools in SE Michigan? I'm still going back and forth about the private school vs company training because I'm not sure about committing to a trucking company for a period of time. I'm more interested in a dedicated route trucking job and company training seems to require a lot of time away from home. Any information would be much appreciated. I'm looking forward to meeting many of you and learning much from this great forum. Thanks
Bob
Dedicated Route:
A driver or carrier who transports cargo between regular, prescribed routes. Normally it means a driver will be dedicated to working for one particular customer like Walmart or Home Depot and they will only haul freight for that customer. You'll often hear drivers say something like, "I'm on the Walmart dedicated account."