Crowder Community College Professional Driver Training Neosho, MO

Has anyone taken the truck driving course @ Crowder Community College in Neosho, MO ? $3,950 for 25 weeks of training.

Here's an “about us” link to the school if anybody is interested.

http://www.crowder.edu/academics/departments/truck-driving/about-us/

From my understanding Ozark Technical College's Truck Driving Program went broke last year so it's the only state funded college close to where I live in Branson, MO.

Is it a quality program? Are the instructors approachable down to earth people? Do they have decent equipment for training? Is the cost reasonable compared to other programs private or state funded not including company sponsored schools?

I've lurked around on the site for a few years now and have finally become a registered user. I feel it's an extremely valuable resource for the newbie as well as the seasoned driver and thank everyone for their input.

Anything of value usually does not come easy in life. Life is about circumstances and choices. A career in truck driving is not for anyone. It's not any easy job or everyone would be doing it and the pay would stink as most jobs do now a days. This site gives someone like me an unbiased look into the industry .

I especially like the personal stories circumstances and choices of people who post to the discussion groups of the site. This is important and interesting information. Do not over look it! I'm currently driving Class E medical transport in a mini bus. I have 32 years of working in the computer industry in my rear view mirror driving as fast as I can away from computers for a new career and fresh start in commercial trucking.

The URL truckingtruth.com is true to its name and is no doubt a community of people committed to telling you the hard truth about trucking with no hidden agendas behind it.

With that in mind I'll step down from my soap box and hope for a reply.

I'm not the type of person that's easily impressed, thanks again ladies and gentlemen for a job well done especially the founder Brett Aquila.

Correction:

The program is 25 days not 25 weeks

Sorry I didn't search the forum first, There are a few threads about it already. Apparently XPO / Conway has a 4 week company sponsored course at the college as well. I'm planning on taking the 5 week private course. It sounds like a good school, tough no nonsense with very qualified instructors and modern equipment. A simulator and skid pan are some of the highlights. No sense repeating all the specifics since there is a very good comprehensive CDL diary written by "Buster's Buddy" who went thru the XPO training course a few months ago. I hope to outline the 5 week private course. I emailed the school for more information and they got back to me in a matter of a few hours. I asked if they would give me a tour before I enrolled they said yes no problem just call us to schedule a time.

They also informed me that the course is too short for financial aid thru the government and to contact salliemae for a loan. I went to their website www.salliemae.com to fill out an application but it choked at the name of the school so I called them up on the phone. They basically asked me the same questions as the website and put me on hold for a few minutes and came back with an approval for the full cost of school $4000. My credit score ranks 700 which is considered good so I can't really vouch for anyone else on getting a loan with them if you need it.

I hope to start class Sept 12, 2016 if it all comes together. I'm trying to follow a logical progression thru the process of actually becoming a qualified driver and will continue to post so others in my shoes can glean some understanding about the process.

Looking ahead the most important thing on my mind is actually getting a job if I can make it thru the program. I'm going to do some pre-hire letters and applications to a number of trucking companies first, which of course is no guarantee of landing a gig. Not to boast my driving record is clean and I've never been in trouble with the law. I'd eventually like to be a flat bedder because of some future plans which I hope to talk about in the forum but have no issues pulling a dry van first if needed to gain experience. The DOT physical is critical as well in my opinion before I even enroll. A CDL learners permit and drug screen will also be needed before starting class. I'm pretty sure I have the personality required to deal with the solitude of life out on the road being a single guy with no family but only time will tell.

Please jump in with any input or things I've missed to consider on the career path to becoming a commercial driver if anyone has some thoughts.

Sounding like a broken record again ( funny they are coming back into style again ) I can't stress enough how valuable the forum and everyone's efforts have been in giving me an honest look into the industry. Without you all I'd be jumping in feet first and wasting a bunch of time trying to figure out if it's a good fit for my circumstance or not.

Thank You again all the people that make up the Trucking Truth Web Site!

I don't know anything about that particular school but my understanding is that many Community Colleges have a good reputation. 25 days sounds about right. I went through Swifts Company Sponsored training. 19 days $3900.00. It was fast paced. I devoted everything for those 3 weeks. Not everyone made it through. Study The High Road Training Program like your life depends on it. It will take all of the stress off of the permit exam and let you focus on skills. Also learn Pre Trip before you go. Good info here and on YouTube. Go in prepared and you should do just fine. Good Luck