Which trucking school?

goofyboy06 · #1 (**permalink**) 05-28-2008, 06:10 PM

I had a strange conversation with a man from Roadmasters today. I filled out their online form to be sent information about the school. A man only identifying himself as "Gary" called me. I asked if he could mail me out some information about the courses and campus so that I could evaluate the different options. He paused and immediately became evasive. He said they only do a phone interview to determine if I am serious enough.
I have been reading the forums about training school nightmares and wanted to have as much in writing as I could before making any decisions. I mentioned this to the man who contacted me. His tone changed and he became a little miffed that I was questioning such things. I told him that if I was going to be paying out that kind of money for school, I only wanted the best. He asked me about my background and I told him that I was a manager for a local car service. I was trying to salvage something of the call. I was hoping he would at least transfer me to someone else to give me more information. He didn't though. He said "If your going to insist on getting everything in writing, then this might not be the place for you".
He hung up on me. Is this kind of behavior typical for them, or any other school for that matter. I really am interested in learning. I just want to make sure I find a place that is going to be the best fit for me. I don't really care if it is going to cost a little more. I just want to be sure I get the best possible training. I'm quite fond of being alive. I don't want to get creamed because some burnt out trainer didn't care enough to make sure he did his job right.
I took the same care in picking out which college to go to. I asked questions, and they were more than happy to give me all the facts and figures to make the decision.
I have a few more calls out to other places. I made sure to tell them that I was evaluating my options, and needed in depth information about courses and costs. If anyone out there has some advice, that would be appreciated.

I just want to make sure I do this right. It's alot of money for me and I have to make sure I do this right.

kantgetryte · #2 (**permalink**) 05-28-2008, 08:11 PM

I would be looking into a community college for the best if money isn't an issue, the conversation you had on the phone should tell you what kind of training school they are, good luck

Cerberus · #3 (**permalink**) 05-28-2008, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kantgetryte

I would be looking into a community college for the best if money isn't an issue, the conversation you had on the phone should tell you what kind of training school they are, good luck

i agree, thats how i got mine. might even look into some kind of grant. and to the original poster, if you have time and wanna have some fun , if they are close enough run on by there and ask for "gary". tell him your there to get the information he never promised you. play with words is fun. ask to talk to his boss and ask if this their practice on posible enrollees ?

nixon4211 · #4 (**permalink**) 05-29-2008, 02:14 AM

Yeah, I had a recruiter tell me that after one year, which ever company I went with would have payed the cost of tuition at $125 a week. Come to find out its 125 a month! That would take like 5 years!!

goofyboy06 · #5 (**permalink**) 05-29-2008, 03:27 AM

Just a bit of an update. I spoke with a really nice lady from Sage. She was really cool and talked with me for the better part of an hour answering all of my questions and is sending me out all of the information I asked for. The program price is a bit high, but they have one on one training. Something I might do better with.
I'm starting to get excited about this. I have always loved driving. Granted, the vehicle is WAAAAAAY larger than the limos I've driven. But the hours per day is shorter. I used to drive 12 hours in the cars. And no puking prom kids to deal with. lol
I know there are going to be some people who say just wait. I was a NY cab and limo driver. If I can deal with mouthy NY drunks, how bad could a grumpy dock manager be.

Wrabbit2000 · #6 (**permalink**) 06-06-2008, 03:54 PM

Just a suggestion here, but I wouldn't go to a school at all. If I were you I'd look over the companies that offer in-house or contracted schooling and find one with acceptable terms for you. Some want a year, some want 2 years to make it free for you. Accept the fact that anywhere you go, your first year driving will be anything but fun and once past that you can easily move to a company more suited to you. I cannot see the point in spending thousands of dollars to THEN find out who will or will not hire you when your almost certainly going to wind up with the same or similar companies you would have if you'd taken contracted schooling for free through them directly.