Do any of you out there use a Garmin device for your GPS navigation? I spent $1000 on a Street Pilot before but it was primarily used for a car. It's got a "truck" setting but I would doubt that it would be helpful with low bridges and such.

2nd question. I need to choose a school. There is one locally (US Truck Driving School) but I've heard they jam like 4 students into the truck at one time. There is another school about 90 miles away (Sage), I've heard they don't do this and perhaps might be better to go to. Does it matter? Which one would you all recommend?

 

If all other things are equal, choose the school that will give you more time behind the wheel. You cannot learn by watching some one else drive.

 

Most schools are ran like any other business. They try to run it as efficiently as possible. I doubt you will find a one-on-one situation. Four students in a truck is common. Try to get as much driving experience as possible and concentrate as much as possible on backing. You will find it very valuable in the future.

 

I went to Sage (in Indiana) and their policy is 1 student per truck.
I'd recommend sage if you can afford to make the daily 90 mile trip.

On the other hand there are plenty of people that got their CDL's at the various cram the truck full of students type of schools. I wouldn't recommend it, but if you cant eat the longer drive to the Sage school it is an option.

bol

 

You were lucky and fortunate.
Gorrillasnot

 

Sage is a PTDI certified school and their schools are considered as some of the top schools in the US. They are expensive but they do list their driving time in trucks as one on one. All other things being equal the sage school should give you an edge on getting hired over a graduate from the other school. Just my opinion.

 

The Garmin units are nice to give you an idea where you are located, but as you pointed out - it is not going to identify low bridges and truck restricted roads. You need to use your truck maps when you are laying out your route.

I would vote for the the one-on-one schools. Just be sure they have some flexibility in giving you breaks. Being new, you will find the first few days with a trainer quite intense. It is much more intense than your days back in high school with the 4 wheel driving instructor.

 

I have the Garmin Nuvi 350 and love it. No brain-er navigation. I have mine hooked up to a FM wireless transmitter so that instructions come over the stereo. The truck setting faked me out also. It's just to change the little car picture into a truck, motorcycle or other vehicles but doesn't change any other aspect of the unit.

 

$1000 for GPS? :shock:

:idea: I'd rather put that money into a decent laptop, I spent $1500 on this HP and $120 for MS S&T '06.

 

Just curious how come you spent so much for that laptop. Are you into gameing? You can buy 3 brand new Dell laptops for $1500.