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Any info on HDS Training Institute?

Discussion in 'Trucking Schools and CDL Training Forum' started by mr_mutex, Jul 19, 2007.

  1. Jul 19, 2007 #1
    mr_mutex

    mr_mutex Bobtail Member

    2
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    Jul 16, 2007
    Tucson, AZ
    0
    I live in Tucson AZ and I'm considering HDS Training Institute because they are local. Does anyone have any experience or info on this company. They are one of the programs approved by the Arizona Department of Education, for what that's worth. They are associated with DSW - Digby South West trucking. I'm a trucker wanna-be trying to avoid bad training schools - like everyone else! Any help is appreciated. Thanks
     
    mr_mutex, Jul 19, 2007
    mr_mutex, Jul 19, 2007
    #1
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  3. Jul 24, 2007 #2
    mr_mutex

    mr_mutex Bobtail Member

    2
    0
    Jul 16, 2007
    Tucson, AZ
    0
    Further investigation of HDS/DSW

    From one of their documents:
    HDS was founded as a driver leasing company. HDS expanded into a truck driving school, safety and compliance services and a drug testing consortium in 1991. Douglas Prall, President of HDS, has been in the trucking industry since 1977. His father George Prall, founded Highway Express a Driver Dispatch in 1969 in Phoenix. HDS was formed when George stepped down as president of Highway Express and Doug took over as president and changed the name to HDS Highway Distribution Services.

    Observations at their facility:
    After a student completes a driver training program (they have 5 or 6 from 2 to 26 weeks), they can be hired by DSW which is in the same building as HDS. DSW trucks are leased by other trucking companys to run loads. The couple of tractors I saw had DSW on the doors and "Leased by Swift" on the side behind the doors. The facility has truck repair bays, a driver lounge, showers/toilets, all management, hiring, dispatch, book keeping, financial aid and training personal. The driving range is black top. They have a separate building/class room for Spanish only speaking students. They offer an open house every Saturday from 10A-1P. They apparently don't have other trucking companies recruit at their facility. Hopefully this will help anyone else looking for info on HDS/DSW.

    I don't thing I'll go here. I'm thinking I may move to Nashville first and take my training there - more training schools to choose from and more trucking companies.

    Regards
     
    mr_mutex, Jul 24, 2007
    mr_mutex, Jul 24, 2007
    #2
  4. Jul 24, 2007 #3
    jamwadmag

    jamwadmag Road Train Member

    1,119
    107
    Feb 28, 2006
    Desert Southwest
    0
    I went thru their school 7+ yrs ago. Was OK, but they didnt allow other companies to come in and recruit the driver at graduation---they wanted you to work for DSW!!! DSW mgmt treated drivers like crap (just like Swift!), and I got what I wanted from them (1+ yrs experience) and left!! I lived in Tucson is why I went there...:biggrin_25524:
     
    jamwadmag, Jul 24, 2007
    jamwadmag, Jul 24, 2007
    #3
    elviaje26 Thanks this.
  5. Feb 8, 2010 #4
    tatnymph66

    tatnymph66 Bobtail Member

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    Sep 14, 2009
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    now its Doin' Swifts Work DSW and they suck !
     
    tatnymph66, Feb 8, 2010
    tatnymph66, Feb 8, 2010
    #4
  7. Dec 21, 2010 #5
    Germangirl

    Germangirl Light Load Member

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    92
    Apr 8, 2010
    All over
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    I went to their affiliated sister school in Phoenix/AZ, HDS Phoenix Truckdriving Institute. Yes they recruite for DSW their own trucking company; then you basically drive for Swift as you are dispatched from Swift.

    The recruiter I had trusted is no longer with the school; he had given me several application forms from other companies but favorized US-Xpress so that's where I am now.

    I cannot say negatives about the school. It worked for me. Had a good teacher in night class but also, of course for those 4 weeks I put all my time into learning the stuff, achieved all endorsements with the CDL # first push and got it over with.
     
    Germangirl, Dec 21, 2010
    Germangirl, Dec 21, 2010
    #5
  8. Jul 12, 2012 #6
    Jons Niners

    Jons Niners Light Load Member

    69
    3
    May 30, 2012
    Sierra Vista, Az
    0
    I am going to HDS trucking Institute now in Tucson Az, It is ok they say they work with every trucking company but the thing is they do not even meet half of the trucking companies out there, criteria. You go to one instructor and then to the next and you get inconsistent information about driving or what you should or should not do. There pre trip is a joke, there are a couple instructors I like. The classroom instructor seems cool until you go out to the yard/range then he becomes a prick. You can get better jobs if you go to southwest truck driving school in tucson az than you can by going to HDS truck driving institute, gordon trucking inc and crete hire students from southwest and not hds, they want you to have six months if you went to hds, because hds does not meet there criteria...hds will try to push you to dsw...werner, swift, covenant, may trucking, us xpress, stevens and a couple others and ost of those companies have horrible reviews like werner, swift,stevens, etc. I recomend you going some where else
     
    Jons Niners, Jul 12, 2012
    Jons Niners, Jul 12, 2012
    #6
    flash01 Thanks this.
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