QuestionMy son & I are wanting to start new careers in trucking (maybe as teem drivers)and would like to know what schooling is best. Company training or private school such as Hamrick in Medina, OH. Is a 10 wk school better than 3 wks as far as getting hired.
AnswerHi Randy.
I think you and your son will have a great time. I only wish that I could of drove teams with my dad! The experiences you two will have will be great and talked about for years, trust me!
Now, on the schools. I'm not familiar with Hamrick, but any school that goes for 10 weeks should be good. Check to make sure that they have their PTDI (Professional Truck Drivers Institute) certification. This insures that your getting the best training possible. I was an instructor (for a solid week) at a school here in Florida. They ran a three week schedule for students. The students were not ready and pushed through far too quickly. That's why I ultimately quit. I couldn't be a part of putting unsafe students out on the road. I went to a school back in 1991 in New Buffalo, Michigan. It was a 10 week school, and I was very prepared to be on the road after that. Three week schools are too short. Shy away from them.
Companies (and schools) will never say it, but they know which schools produce better drivers. Will more doors open for you having graduated from certain schools? Possibly, but your knowledge of trucking will be far more advanced.
Now on to company training. This option wasn't around when I went to school, but it's not a bad one either. I use to drive for US Xpress and I know they have a school at their terminal in Medway. The training there seemed pretty good and the $2500 they will charge you for the school can be deducted from your pay. They, also, are PTDI certified. If you leave the company, they charge you the balance (if it's not paid for).
The down side is that your "married" to the company until the school is paid for. This is true with any company that trains new drivers. I had a question, not too long ago, from a driver who was desperate to quit his company, but couldn't because he owed them money still from school. Well, you may be able to get out of it and have them bill you, but you want monthly payments, not a bill for $2300!
With driving schools, you can get a student load through good old Uncle Sam. Now, when you graduate, your free to drive for whoever you want. If you don't like them, that's ok, just find another company. There is no financial obligation because your making monthly payments to Uncle Sam or a third party.
Also, when you and your son start applying to companies, let them know up front that you two will be running teams. If it's a decent size company, you'll both have to run with trainers for a few weeks. This is so they can grade you, and make sure that you both are qualified. Then you'll get bumped up to first seat drivers.
Finally, some companies will give team drivers newer (or new) trucks. A nice bonus. There will be a lot of things you two should look at in new companies. Pay, insurance, areas run, type of freight, etc., but it never hurts to get a new truck, either. If a recruiter promises you something, have him fax it to you in writing. If he says "I will put you and your son in a new Peterbilt if you drive for us", then you want it in writing. He won't remember it months later when you and your son are ready to drive teams.
My last bit of advice would be to find a company with the biggest sleep berths possible. Two bunks is a must! Remember, this will be your new home! I'll take slightly lower pay for comfort on the road. Otherwise, it will be miserable.
Good luck and welcome to trucking!
Bob Stephens
