Anyone Heard Of Lobos Interstate Services?

Anthony M on page 4 wrote:

And yes i pay very good attention to everybdetail to evoid being suckered by thieves!!! All the guys currently enrolled and staying in that apartment feel robbed and stuck some have no money to get home and some are stuck in that contract because they got swindled in.. one of the students there was calling his bank attempting to get the loan through them to get out of your 6500 fee.. if a man cant even look another man in the eyes and tell him **** straight hr is a *****.....

Lobos A- What can you do? Don't mislead and cheat people.

"one of the students there was calling his bank attempting to get the loan through them to get out of your 6500 fee"

Im going to contact my lawyer tomorrow and see if we can make a claim against them for loss of wages and reimbursement off my travel back home and see if we can get them shut down, im still in contact with 2 guys that got stuck in that contract and have evidence of all of this scam and videos of the "training" lobo provides.they are just gonna continue this scam on ppl just trying to provide for there familys. Its total bs and it needs to be put to an end!! I cant believe they even have the balls to keep trying to defend this scam.... i also have emails;)

Maybe my lawyer will help everyone who needs there help and give them a little money back in there pockets.. if you need more evidence to report to the bbb john p.

Straight from your website:

• No upfront payment required
• Experienced instructors
• Free room and board
• One-on-one time with instructors
• Full CDL in 2 - 3 weeks
• 12 weeks of Advanced Skills Training
• Hands on experience
• Job placement program

We set up a career path for you so you don't have to worry about finding a job after graduation. You will receive everything you need to acquire your CDL and gain the knowledge, skills, and experience to get the most from your Class A. We will give you everything you need to start making $1,200+ a week right out of graduation. We take care of everything, all you have to do is apply yourself and you will be set for an amazing and lucrative career.

Lobos, would you call that being up front and honest? No mention of contracts or leasing or anything of the sort. "you don't have to worry about finding a job after graduation" probably because you're requiring them to sign some sort of a lease agreement to lease on with your affiliate partners, correct?

"We will give you everything you need to start making $1,200+ a week right out of graduation" - the average driver makes about $35,000 their first year in this industry. Your drivers are going to make double that?

You haven't made any changes to your website at all that I can see.

We want you to get paid like an Owner Operator , making upwards of $2,000 a week, but drive like a company driver, not having to worry about all the intricate details involved with owning your own company

Oh wow. So now that I've gone from your home page to the "Class A CDL" page my already incredible pay of $1,200 a week is now up to $2,000?? Wow. I can't wait to read the next page or call you guys on the phone. Maybe by the time I sign up you'll be promising $3,000 a week?

Once you complete your 15 weeks, you'll receive your hard copy license and, if you've chosen to finance the school via our job placement program, we will set you up with a job with one of our partners or help you set yourself up as an owner operator using our all-inclusive support system

Ok, what do you mean by "if you've chosen to finance the school" you'll set them up with a job or as an owner operator? What does financing the schooling and job placement have to do with each other?

And what are your finance rates for the schooling? I'm guessing that's one of your big money makers since you seem to be strong arming people into it.

I refused the sign the bait and switch contracts, and even offered to split the transportation to get home, but they just said, "We pay to get folks here to drive, but not to get them home."

Yeah, the ol'

"We'll pay to transport you halfway across the country knowing you're broke so you can either sign our contract or figure out how to eat or get home without a dime in your pocket."

Lobos, you're obviously willing to continue using filthy, manipulative marketing tactics to take advantage of people. It's sad and horrifying to see. I don't know how you get out of bed in the morning and go to work knowing how you're treating people and what you're doing to people's lives. If you don't have the wherewithal to do better than that for people you shouldn't be in business. Why don't you guys either change your business model to something that is actually helping people or shut the place down and go get jobs somewhere until you find a way to provide something of value as business owners?

Why don't you guys get away from this sleazy, manipulative "leasing/owner operator" model you've been scamming people with and just become a regular truck driving school that gets students placed with major companies? You make money, your students get their career off to a great start, and everyone wins! Why are you pursuing this model in the first place? Is it worth it, really?

Our guys absolutely can make $1,200 a week right out of the gate. Once you go through the school, if you choose to work with us or finance your school through working with us after graduation (which is interest free by the way as it says on the website) then you start out at 50% of the profit of the truck each week. We had one of our students just make $1,500 last week and he's been graduated a grand total of 3 weeks.

The reason a couple of the numbers are different is because there's different levels of pay depending on if you're at 50% or 75% (as a trainer). One of our top trainers made $1,700 last week and he has been known to clear $2,200 when he's driving really hard.

Our system is setup so that you get out of it what you put into it. If you're with us to drive hard and apply yourself like the two guys I mentioned above, then you'll be very successful. If you're looking for a company to help you feel entitled to hand holding, babysitting, and all expenses paid trips then we're not for you.

While yes, we do have guys who come in to drive with us who do not have a lot of money, it is not our responsibility to help them manage their finances. When someone comes to our office on our dime we expect them to work with us and start driving. If they choose to not go with us then we're out the money we spent on them so we're not going to pay additional money because they didn't plan ahead.

Yes, we do require contracts and yes, that contract does mean that you're liable for your actions behind the wheel. If other companies can afford to reward their drivers for totaling their trucks by giving them new trucks and raises then that's great for them. We, on the other hand, go off of performance and not wrecking expensive equipment.

So yes, if you come out here without any kind of backup plan and you decide you don't want to sign a contract then you may be stuck in Utah. Again, we're not responsible for other people's personal finances. However, our contract allows drivers to back out of the arrangement after only 6 weeks. So, if you're not willing to give us a try for 6 weeks and you cannot afford a trip back home then please, do not apply.

Someone asked "What does financing the schooling and job placement have to do with each other?"

Here is that information right off our website: "Tuition Assistance Program We understand you probably don't have thousands of dollars saved up in the bank for CDL school. We offer a job placement program that allows you to attend our school with no upfront costs! After you complete your advanced skills training we will get you a job with one of our partner companies. You just have to commit to stay with that job for 6 months and your school tuition of $6,500 will be delayed until you start your job! Once you start your job, you will have the potential to make over $1,200 a week right out of graduation. We will work with you to setup a payment plan based on what you make each week so you never pay more than you can afford!"

Another question: "the average driver makes about $35,000 their first year in this industry. Your drivers are going to make double that?"

Absolutely. Again, you get out of it what you put into it so if you're driving well, getting good fuel economy, staying in route, and making appointments on time then yes, you can absolutely make between $45,000 - $65,000 a year ($1,200 - $1,700 per week with 6 weeks on and 2 weeks off schedule).

Another question: ""you don't have to worry about finding a job after graduation" probably because you're requiring them to sign some sort of a lease agreement to lease on with your affiliate partners, correct?"

If they choose to work with us to pay off the school then yes, they will need to go through our Owner-Operator program. However, if they finance it themselves then there is no obligation. We had a student do that recently, actually. He paid for the school on his own and graduated without signing on for a lease contract or anything like that.

Again, if I could get some constructive feedback on the website with questions you'd like to see answered on the site please let me know. From what I could gather from this last round of... colorful responses, you'd like to see more information about the contracts. Are there any specific points on that which you would like to see? Do you have any other questions you'd like to see answered on the website?

What about my question? Do you let drivers train after only six weeks, as your website claims? If so, what leads you to think that's in any way safe?

Right on your front page, it says "GET YOUR CDL FOR FREE!"

then you go on to say, that it has to be paid back. That is misleading at best.

What about my question? Do you let drivers train after only six weeks, as your website claims? If so, what leads you to think that's in any way safe?

Sorry, I missed that one. Yes, you can become a trainer after 6 weeks IF you're coming in with your CDL and your performance shows that you're able to handle being a trainer. Trainers are picked based on their performance, their experience level, and how well they are able to work with their co-drivers. So it's not like you come in, get your CDL, drive for 6 weeks and then boom you're a trainer.

RE: getting your license for free, there are options where you can have a company sponsor your training to where you would get your CDL for free. Here is what is listed on our website: "We also work with other carriers who are willing to take on and sponsor drivers who graduate with high performance from our school. If you qualify for this option and meet the carriers' requirements then you can get your CDL training for free!"

Lobos A has made the following request:

Again, if I could get some constructive feedback on the website with questions you'd like to see answered on the site please let me know. From what I could gather from this last round of... colorful responses, you'd like to see more information about the contracts. Are there any specific points on that which you would like to see? Do you have any other questions you'd like to see answered on the website?

OK constructive. My previous background was in IT, transportation automation so I think I can speak from some level of experience.

What puzzles me after a cursory review of your website is if you employ professional drivers with experience (by definition over 1 year, your trainers), then why are you asking us to assist you with this (for free I might add)? With that said are you a former or current driver? Do you work with a content advisor who either was or is a professional driver? Honestly your website doesn't reflect either of those things. So right from the start, it lacks a professional driver's perspective and is far too "marketing-centric". Your audience is truck drivers, not professional business people. If you haven't already you should consider hiring a competent content advisor, even if on a consulting basis and be willing to pay for it. They are out there...google it or go into Dice.com.

I have about an hour of free time before I must get rolling so I will attempt to provide some examples of where I see deficiencies and suggested content modification. I will try to be straight with you, but make no mistake, I am only doing this to help current and future student drivers who visit this forum.