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IITR Trucking School

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Jul 14, 2011
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I REMEMBER DLYRIUS FROM MY CLASS
by: 2008 GRAD

I stumbled upon this page today and I about fell out of my chair when I saw the posting from DLYRIUS. I was in the same class she was and I remember her because she used to be a banker and I thought that was a strange career change from banker to trucker plus she was about 5 inches taller than I am and I'm 5'8. I pulled out my class picture and roster and I'm not sure about her math because there were 19 students in our class, not 23 like she said.

I thought the school was excellent and I just got my dream job after 2 years of OTR trucking and am now driving for Fred Meyer and I've already made 28K the first 6 months of 2011. I've stopped by the school many times since I graduated and it's always fun to visit. I also stopped by 2 of their other locations and the students were as happy as when I went.

As for "the banker", I do remember she struggled with her yard skills and I don't know if she got a driving job upon graduation but I would bet if she did, our industry likely washed her out within 6 months. It is not an industry for the weak.

I've also seen many other truck schools during my career and I can assure you none of them I've seen had as nice of road trucks as they have and I've heard horror stories from students who attended other truck schools. As for the yard trucks, yes they were older but what do you expect for backing skills.

For any of you thinking about a career in trucking, I would recommend you check out IITR but the real way to know the best school to choose is by checking out the others as well like I did. It was a no brainer for me when I chose IITR after I shopped. Hope this helps some of you.

Mar 25, 2011
Rating

This school Delivered to my expectations
by: Nathaniel Jacobs

Hi. My name is nathan, and I recently graduated from IITR(March 18th 2011). I started in April and knew NOTHING about trucks or trucking or the components of a truck or the industry. We(my class) Had 15 guys in it and we were all very happy with the experience. We all joked around with each other, were encouraged to help each other out and to apply ourselves to the best of our abilities. NOW HERES SOMETHING THAT BOTHERS ME. In one of these posts. one talks about how there was a spanish speaking individual who was not understanding the coursework and they notified the instructor and the instructor apparently responded with if you help him im sure he would appreciate it. and at the same time, if you cant understand english. then why are you coming to and english speaking school. ITS A TRUCK DRIVING SCHOOL NOT A ENGLISH SCHOOL. I would be pissed if my instructors had to diviate from the classroom schedule to teach someone english RIGHT? So onto another point. They(iitr) do not claim to be the only(but one of few) accredited driving schools in the nation and the only in the NW. Another point. If you expect to go to a school and have the teachers teach you everything and get a diploma and have a job(well think again, and get the silver spoon outta your mouth). school is a tool and a wealth of knowledge. Its your responsibility to get the most info and training ut of it you can. Apply yourself. I have a felony,dui, from 12 years ago, not a very stable work history because of layoffs. I went to IITR and graduated on march the 18th 2011 And was assisted in getting a job by Amanda from Clackamas and have already been offered a job. I Start with SWIFT Transportation on april 5th 2011. Their one of the highest paying and one of the biggest trucking companies in the nation and their international. SO YOU CANT TELL ME THAT THEY DONT KNOW WHAT THEIR DOING! TO THE IITR STAFF, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR A WONDERFUL EDUCATION AND I WILL RECOMMEND YOU TO ANYONE WANTING TO BECOME A PROFFESSIONAL DRIVER. NATHAN CL11-2

Feb 24, 2011
Rating

After The Schooling
by: Dlyrius

Hi Anon,

I'm so sorry you had to learn that part of the lesson with a crappy road trainer. Your suggestion is a great one to go out with a driver prior to shelling out the enormous price for schooling, but even sometimes that doesn't help. I spent 7 months off and on out with a driver before I went to school, unfortunately he happened to work for a great company (one of the VERY VERY few). They were all about safety, and not the greed I have found in the industry since I started driving. Finding a reputable company (from a drivers point of view), to drive for is extremely difficult. Out of all the road trainers I had during my learning period, only ONE actually taught me anything and wasn't in it for the money... God if the driving public only knew who and what they were risking their lives driving next to out there *shudder*

Feb 24, 2011
Rating

Where Do I Go Now??????
by: Anonymous

Well, first I am a woman and did not have the good fortune or direction to obtain help paying for my schooling. I pretty much agree with D's comment about the school. I think too much yard time and not enough Drive Time, everything else...DITTO. What they really, REALLY need to let people know before they sign on the dotted line, is what happens after school. Even if you do your homework and think you really know what goes on....Get on a truck, travel cross country and back with a so called trainer who is doing the job for the money only. They will say and do anything and constantly tell you "IT'S THE INDUSTRY" Well I guess the INDUSTRY starts way back when you sign up for school. ALSO!!!!! Be aware that one mistake, comment or a trainer who just thinks (not knows but thinks) you should be elsewhere can send your CAREER down the tube in an instant. TRAINERS for trucking companies see dollar signs just like the companies themselves and well....I could go on and on but what's the use....I guess I'll have to get another Career, once I find a job to pay off school for this CAREER. Thought I might be getting ahead but now I am deeper in debt, my LIFETIME JOB PLACEMENT....WELL! Good Luck and Beware. Ialso feel a little more honesty and a little less gimme, gimme, would go a long way...............

Feb 18, 2010
Rating

to Jimmy
by: Anonymous

I was looking up this school and came across this posting...I do not agree with your attitude of schooling. If I spend any amount on attending I would like to see what is promised fulfilled! Lame excuses do not prompt me to want to attend where you instruct...If I want a truck and do not get treated with the respect I deserve I will go elsewhere...Not look at just the last picture that I got my truck. Experience to get that truck is what this was written about, duh. It is a justifiable acknowledgement to show that your are only as good as your word and service is still important factor in any business. Thanks for the insight of what to look for when taking a tour. I have learned that no matter how I would like to trust my hard earned money to give to someone for a so called better than best school that taking them for their word no longer exist.

Mar 25, 2009
Rating

Trucking School Adventures
by: Hervy

Lol. Sounds like that's what you had Dylrius an adventure.

Really appreciate all the time you took to give us the information, especially since it wasn't all one sided. I would be interested in hear how others perceived the training there.

I was wondering if you at any point ever feel like you were treat differently for being a woman? Also, did you experience being treated differently out on the road as a trucker.

And yes please do post on women in trucking if their is a story to tell about that adventure.

Good luck on your career.

By the way my trucking school training costed about the same amount but you got a lot more freebies with yours.

Thanks,
Hervy

Mar 22, 2009
Rating

A meeting of the minds.
by: Jimmy

Hi again Dlyrius. Glad you responded back to my response. Of course if I misunderstood any part of your post, I'll be glad to listen. I simply wanted to present the other side of the story. Not that anyone is right or wrong, but there are two sides to any story. We can discuss this here or you can e/mail me at "jimmyhere@thetruckermail.com"

One part of your post is true, that being crowded sessions. But sometimes, it's hard to get all the students to be able to start and stop the school at the same time. Some have daytime jobs etc, and the school might have to juggle and end up with an overcrowded class. So get back to me with your follow-up. Jimmy

Mar 22, 2009
Rating

A little clarification
by: Dlyrius

Well Hi Jimmy!

It seems I did a poor job of communicating clearly on some points within my posting about IITR and my experiences with them. I edited and omitted a LOT for the sake of saving space on an already too long posting.

While there were many things we agree upon, there are others that will have to be a case of "agreeing to disagree" between us frankly because I doubt anyone but us would be interested in the discussion.

However, if you are interested, I would be more than happy to share everything in a more appropriate location. Perhaps email?

For now, I'm 10-10 on the side.

Mar 22, 2009
Rating

What's with these truck driving schools?
by: Jimmy

Hello Dlyrius, thanks for the informative post. I have a few things to say. I am a retired trucker and a former driver trainer as well as an instructor at a driving school.

Before I defend the school, you did get what you went to school for, that being a CDL, right? Looks like your expectations were a little too high. A lot of newbies have high expectations and get a rude awakening when they get into the biz and decide it is not for them.

First off, you did the right thing by visiting the school, but missed an opportunity by not asking for a tour. You would have seen the classroom, the yard and the equipment. I know the feeling having to use 'junky' equipment. But you won't find any school with 'primo' equipment since it would get trashed. There are a lot of schools with various fees.

The school is not taking advantage of anyone. If a student wants to learn and is willing to pay, then why wouldn't the school teach him/her? Since this is America and we speak English, it is up to the student to learn English. I know California has the DMV test in about 8-10 different languages just to accommodate the many different nationalities that come here. And Dlyrius, I have to tell you, here in America, especially in the trucking business, we help people that need help. Period.

Please lose the attitude that helping someone is "not your responsibility" As an instructor, I saw many students with language barriers that wanted so badly to learn, and were helped by the other students, and it really touched my heart. And they all made it through, even if just barely. There will be times you are trying to back into a tight spot at a truck stop and someone will be walking across the lot and will stop and guide you in. Or maybe help you tarp a flatbed load on a windy day. Or install tire chains. EVEN THOUGH it's not their responsibility.

You mentioned the horrors of the pre-trip, you can blame the DMV since it is THEIR requirement, not the schools. You are right, you only get the basics at school to get your CDL. You'll get your experience on the road.

As an instructor, I could always tell who would succeed and who wouldn't. The late comers, the disinterested weren't destined to make it. And I apologize for the instructors that are poor examples. We had one who would read the paper while the students were practicing the pre-trip, or would stop by an Indian Casino for lunch and get in a little gambling while there. Do you think those students were getting their moneys worth?

Your situation reminds me of my new pick-up I recently purchased. The dealings with the management were not to my liking, and the figures were not to my liking, but the end result was that I got what I originally went there for, a new pick-up. Best of luck to you in the trucking biz. Words of wisdom from Jimmy

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