Reminiscing, the one year on active duty was a piece of cake. As the army expression went, "could do it standing on my hands." The same could be said about the six years serving in the active reserve. I thought about it as two weeks JD Truck Training Centre at a beach resort without maid service. What was stark in my mind, that while in the reserves during the Korean War I did not get called back to active duty. I did not suffer the irreversible consequences of going to war.
Private trucking schools will take their time and won't pressure you. Remember, they want you to enjoy your learning experience so you will recommend their school to others. Trucking companies are hit and miss... some of them may push you and pressure you to keep their agenda alive... it's YOUR privilege to be working there so you BETTER perform. Now not all of them will treat you this way. A lot it will depend on the individual instructors.
When the issue of money is resolved, it's time to decide if the desired school's location will be a good fit for your current situation (i.e. single or married with a family). Are you going to commute daily? If so, how far? Gas can get very costly! Or, are you going to move to Lr truck licence attend your choice of Truck driving school? If so, where are you going to reside and at what cost? Some truck driving schools do offer dorms similar to a college campus; but it will obviously raise the cost of attending the institution.
People parks (not dog parks) are an excellent place for socialization. As long as dogs are allowed on leash, take puppy and let him see the walkers, joggers, bikers and wild life that abounds. Another benefit to parks is the exposure to multiple flooring surfaces. A typical park offers grass, concrete, gravel, wood and pine straw. Parks such as Shelley Lake in Raleigh offer all of this plus wood-plank bridges, a playground where puppy can meet some kids and of course, the lake. This is a socialization extravaganza!
The schooling began with nothing but classroom study for the first week or two. If you decide to attend driving school at a HR Truck Licence company....let the propaganda begin! They won't waste any chance at promoting themselves, believe me. They will also make you feel like it is your privilege to be working for them. Get used to that. Now here's your first piece of raw truth about the industry... companies are completely and totally desperate for truck drivers. I mean DESPERATE!
Now second and lastly I like to talk about your experience. Some of you may have already been in a truck and know what it is like. Others have not a clue what to expect and are eager to know. So breaking the ice of the unknown will greatly increases your chances of survival of going through the school of hard knocks.
Go to an accredited truck training center or driving school! Learn the whole bases of pro trucking! And make sure you choose a school or training center which is officially certified by the Professional Truck Driver Institute (PTDI).