Trans Tech Charlotte

*****Disclaimer***** This is only my opinion


Good Morning. I thought I’d follow up on some other Trans Tech threads that were posted on here. I went to the Charlotte Location, which they have two one locations in Charlotte. One location for Swift contracted students and the second location is Trans Tech only students. I think they are up to 4 locations in NC.

The school cost was 3,100.00 dollars plus the cost of your CDL permit. The cost includes the price of your DOT physical, you can come in with your DOT physical like I did. There several programs that can help with obtaining grants and they can provide that information. You can split your payments up, putting 1,500.00 down and paying the balance at the end of week 2. They worked with a class mate of mine and he paid week 3.

The class is 4 weeks long, the hours are 8-5 (I’ll get back to the hours). You get an hour for lunch, but that is usually cut to 30 mins because you will have a recruiter every day at Lunch time. You will have ample time to apply for jobs, if you don’t not have internet access to apply for a job, let Ms. Lisa know and you can fill out a paper application or they will let you use a computer. They have every training company known to man coming through, they have one company that comes through, that advertise themselves as a second chance company. The have a job board at both schools and they have tons of local jobs and the instructors will take you by “Tank Town”, (where all the Petro companies are located), and show you all the companies that are hiring.

Now let me back track and talk about the hours in the day. This is only my personal opinion. I would get my CDL Permit before school. You will need to study for your General Knowledge test, Air Brakes, and Combination Vehicle test. I saw 2 guys in the class before us, and two in my class, miss training time because they had to go back and re take their CDL Permit test. You will have to make those training hours up. Also, if you have your Permit, you can actually learn in the first week. The first week is talking about E-logs, Written Log Books, Pre-trip Inspection, it’s all classroom. You will watch 10 video’s and talk briefly about Brake Chambers, and other parts on the truck. That Thursday, is spent all day doing practice test. If you have your CDL Permit, you can still take a few practice test but you can use that time to study something else. If you can, take your lunch, an at Lunch time you can study for your pre-trip on the yard truck, and other topics.

Week 2 is Backing, This week is very important. You will not back again for two weeks. My buddy from our class, failed his backing test. So use your time wisely, I would practice at lunch, if no one was pre-tripping the yard truck. A lot of students go eat lunch away from school, play around at lunch and etc. That’s fine, but when the instructors say more people fail their backing test than any other test. I would use my time wisely. Have fun too though, I had a Ball going through school, but I never lost sight of why I was there. I think it’s what you make it. The instructors will help you.

Week 3 is your first road week. You will go out with Mr. Pope. He has 4 million miles/41 years no accidents and if you be quiet and do what he says you will be fine. If you have an ego, or if you have driven before, like anything else, do it their way, do what they say and when you pass you can go back to your way. He will keep you on city streets with tons of stop lights, he will have you going into truck stops to learn how to pull up to fuel islands and more city streets!!!! His thought process is, if we learn how to start and stop and control the vehicle in a congested city area, we can drive on the interstate. You will ride with 4 students in the truck.

Wek 4 is more driving in the city and test week. If you have questions ask them. Most of this week, you will work on down shifting and double clutching. Thursday is night driving and you will stay out until 1-3 A.M. Friday is test day. You will do your Pre-Trip first, then your backing test, then and finally your Road test. Once you complete that you’re off to the DMV to get your CDL.

I will say this, when you Graduate you will know enough to get yourself in trouble. I think backing should be at least 2 weeks long. More time should be given to night driving but I guess thats what training with your company is all about. Please be respectful to your equipment, to other truckers, the impatient public and realize we are puppies and we don’t know a lot.

I would start applying for jobs the first night of the first week. I’ll hopefully be working for Maverick soon.

I cant say this enough, go in with an open mind, work hard, use your time wisely, ask for help if you need it. Volunteer to do every Pre-trip even if you look bad the first several times. HAVE FUN!!!!!

I can say I wish somethings would have been different but it had nothing to do with me learning how to drive. So enjoy your new career and BE SAFE!!!!!!!!!!

I hope this helps anyone looking at Trans Tech Charlotte.

 

Your exactly right, they still do, and depending on your Instructor, they'll let you back up to a few dock doors while doing night driving.