AIT Truck Driver Training
Phoenix, Arizona
Reviews
Way Meister
19 Jan 2018
REPORT
AIT is a "mill," run by unscrupulous deceivers who prey on the vulnerable.
Look carefully at the reviews here: the vast majority of 5-star reviews are from individuals who either say they work for AI...
AIT is a "mill," run by unscrupulous deceivers who prey on the vulnerable.
Look carefully at the reviews here: the vast majority of 5-star reviews are from individuals who either say they work for AIT, or their "reviews" contain no useful details of their experience. Many give NO details at all.
If you are thinking of getting into trucking, do at least 30 total hours of research online—all the articles, YouTube videos and opion pieces you can find. You do not need to pay anywhere CLOSE to what AIT charges to get your CDL and get on with driving. But more important, you need to REALLY understand what life on the road is like, as a company driver vs independent.
I attended AIT for the first phase, the classroom part, before a horrendous falling out with them.
I could write 3000 words about the lameness of AIT, but I will just post the 2 most importtant warnings:
1. The in-class portion treats everyone like they are 1st graders, literally wasting HUGE time having everyone read aloud from the course book. During that time, my instructor did an pathetically inadequate job of really imparting understanding of what driving a truck for a big company would probably be like. And so much of what we covered in class would have been much clearer if class was taught in an environment with a full-size model truck for us to see and touch as we went along. But that would require a big investment by ATI; they'd have to really care about thoroughly preparing students. I assure you, they don't.
Imagine that you want to learn to perform music before live audiences. So you go to a school that says it teaches that, but you spend 2 weeks receiving only verbal instruction. . .
2. Then you thown up on stage, handed an instrument, and someone yells at you, "you received instruction that you said you understood. Now, if you fail, who's fault is it?. . .YOURS!"
After 2 weeks of classroom instruction, and 1 day on their practice tarmac of just putting the truck in low gear and letting it pull itself along, we were taken out on the road, pulling a 53' trailer, to learn to shift and drive in real time. You read that right: With ZERO prior experience, we were to learn to drive an 18-wheeler, learn to double-clutch shift a 9-speed transmission out on the roadways in South Phoenix. My on-road instructor was a pure psychopath, making it nerve-wracking for some, terrifying for others.
I quit the next day. Weeks later, from another student whom I'd made friends and stayed in touch with, I found out that when the final testing day came, almost everyone failed.
Last: without question, the hardest, most stressful thing to learn in trucking is backing in between other parked trucks at truckstops and loading docks. Second to that is backing in between parked trailers (at least you're not in danger of hitting another driver's tractor) and last, lerning to back your truck in a straight line. These are things you should practice 500-1000 times before you hit the road on your own. AIT sends you out completely unskilled in these areas, letting you work that out with whatever trainer you are assigned if you go to work with one of the big carriers, where you have maybe a 20% chance of getting a good trainer. (You will probably be assigned to a filthy freak who teaches you just enough to drive 10 hours per day, from which he gets all the profit while you're paid a small allowance of maybe $340/week.)
I eventually graduated from Southwest Truck Driver Training in Phoenix and went on to drive for about 5 years before I was able to move back to normal life, 55 lbs overweight and NO money saved.
I learned that the trucking industry in America is, for 10x thousands of drivers, a vast underworld of incompetence, slave wages and misery. I can only speak well of Crete Carrier Corp, which treated me very well and did an overall GREAT job of maintaining their equipment.
WinG Griff
6 Jan 2018
REPORT
I went to school there 16 years ago. Best thing I have ever done. Pricey but worth every penny if you want to be a serious driver.
Amanda Wilkins
22 Sep 2017
REPORT
Instructors were awesome! Very friendly and personable! Learned a lot in a short period of time! Professional, fun, great atmosphere! I would recommend AIT to anyone! If you have a bad attitude, you w...
Instructors were awesome! Very friendly and personable! Learned a lot in a short period of time! Professional, fun, great atmosphere! I would recommend AIT to anyone! If you have a bad attitude, you will have a bad experience. Go there to learn and stay positive and respectful!
Carlos Valdivia
22 Aug 2017
REPORT
I have been part of the AIT family for 2 years now and I love what I do. I get to help people change their lives and start a career in truck diving. It feels so amazing when my graduates come back an...
I have been part of the AIT family for 2 years now and I love what I do. I get to help people change their lives and start a career in truck diving. It feels so amazing when my graduates come back and to see me and thank me for helping them change their lives. I tell them them I just showed them the door, they had to walk through it and work hard to accomplish goals.
Chuck Wirth
21 Aug 2017
REPORT
Having been associated with AIT for the past 26 years, and currently holding the position of President and CEO; I thank all the current and past team members that have dedicated their efforts to ensur...
Having been associated with AIT for the past 26 years, and currently holding the position of President and CEO; I thank all the current and past team members that have dedicated their efforts to ensure individuals wishing to start a career in trucking are well prepared. AIT’s approach to truck driving training is not to simply train someone how to pass a Commercial Drivers License test. Our mission is to provide life changing graduation experiences combined with regulatory compliance & financial success. Our graduates should know how to safely operate a commercial vehicle in a professional manner and while earning a reasonable living. If you are interest in learning trucking correctly you may want to discuss you goals with AIT.
william Huff
6 Aug 2017
REPORT
I tested out of the classroom last week up until last week the experience was great, missed Saturday due to medical emergency , came back to find that the normal instructor was let go. okay no big dea...
I tested out of the classroom last week up until last week the experience was great, missed Saturday due to medical emergency , came back to find that the normal instructor was let go. okay no big deal, except we really didn't do anything on Sunday other than homework and do the mod tests and final exam for those going to get there permit. I passed my permit test thanks to the instructor that was let go. But my concern is with the students coming in and have no een there severval weeks and some that are finishing up this weekend or next. Other than that this school has been wonderful educationally for me. I look forward to getting out on the range and doing some practicing
Is this course worth 10k dollars, hell no its not... maybe 5000 but not 10,000 do i regret going to AIT, Yes because i could have studied on my own and got my permit and then went to a school that paid you to get your cdl. also feel that the range training is subpar and all the instructors do except for 2 instructors yell and scream at the trainee's for not shifting and braking right dont damage the equipment . Maybe if you had a little more patience with the trainee's and properly trained them you wouldnt have that problem.
jake liersemann
1 Aug 2017
REPORT
So I signed up for the professional driving class (24 week class), I had an awesome recruiter who helped me through the getting approved for the school process, I can honestly say she loves her job an...
So I signed up for the professional driving class (24 week class), I had an awesome recruiter who helped me through the getting approved for the school process, I can honestly say she loves her job and doesn't mind helping you to understand what you're getting into, thank you Shantelle.
Now, I just started class today and I was basically thrown into a class with people that are at different points of the course. Not only that but, the regular teacher is taking time off and the teacher that is standing in basically just rushed through a couple chapters and had us watch some videos that he then gave us the answers to. I'm paying $10,000 for this course I truly expect more out of this as one can't learn anything this way. I'm coming in not knowing a damn thing about trucking and I can honestly say I didn't learn a damn thing today other than I think I chose the wrong school. Yes it's the first day and yes I might end up liking it however it was a bad start for them. I'm just referring to the class I'm in, everyone else there including Mr. Lehnus and Ms. Bickley are awesome people can't deny that. Really hoping class gets better and I actually learn here.
jennifer navarrette
6 Jun 2017
REPORT
This place has got to be a scam. My husband reached out to them, inquiring on the service they provide for training. He decided he was not intrested. He kindly declined there invitation. I have repeat...
This place has got to be a scam. My husband reached out to them, inquiring on the service they provide for training. He decided he was not intrested. He kindly declined there invitation. I have repeatedly received 3-4 phone calls every single day since. I have asked many, many times to be taken off their call list. They are still calling sometimes just 2 hours after me asking them to stop calling. SMH. I mean it's just harrasment at this point. Of they were a legit training facility I would imagine they would conduct business more appropriatly. Now I will have to figure out how to block their number. Lol. Just a fair warning to the public!
Joseph Foster
3 May 2017
REPORT
I Graduated in 2004. I stopped driving for a while so I needed a refresher course they kept there word . I'm very happy with my experience at AIT. I want to give a thank you to Mr. Gibbs and to Mr. E...
I Graduated in 2004. I stopped driving for a while so I needed a refresher course they kept there word . I'm very happy with my experience at AIT. I want to give a thank you to Mr. Gibbs and to Mr. Escobedo my instructors. Listen to them they know what they are talking about. Been back on the road now for 7 months. Making good money
8track
8 Mar 2017
REPORT
I went through the school in 1993 and drove for 7 years. (( up until my wife started chemo for her cancer) it's been a long fight and I gave up cdl years ago, now that all is well I stopped in at ATI ...
I went through the school in 1993 and drove for 7 years. (( up until my wife started chemo for her cancer) it's been a long fight and I gave up cdl years ago, now that all is well I stopped in at ATI to find out i can take a refresher course for very little money to retain my cdl once again. (I was very shocked they would do this but this is for all who go to ATI!!) after completion and off to my 1st company orientation I was the only one who new how to drive a truck ( both forward and backing) thanks to ATI. With the new facility I expect this experience to be even better than the 1st time and for those of you who complain about the price I can say only this Do you want a company that will get you your cdl or do want the whole package, ATI can give you this!
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AIT Truck Driver Training
Phoenix, Arizona
Reviews
Way Meister
19 Jan 2018
AIT is a "mill," run by unscrupulous deceivers who prey on the vulnerable.
Look carefully at the reviews here: the vast majority of 5-star reviews are from individuals who either say they work for AI...
AIT is a "mill," run by unscrupulous deceivers who prey on the vulnerable.
Look carefully at the reviews here: the vast majority of 5-star reviews are from individuals who either say they work for AIT, or their "reviews" contain no useful details of their experience. Many give NO details at all.
If you are thinking of getting into trucking, do at least 30 total hours of research online—all the articles, YouTube videos and opion pieces you can find. You do not need to pay anywhere CLOSE to what AIT charges to get your CDL and get on with driving. But more important, you need to REALLY understand what life on the road is like, as a company driver vs independent.
I attended AIT for the first phase, the classroom part, before a horrendous falling out with them.
I could write 3000 words about the lameness of AIT, but I will just post the 2 most importtant warnings:
1. The in-class portion treats everyone like they are 1st graders, literally wasting HUGE time having everyone read aloud from the course book. During that time, my instructor did an pathetically inadequate job of really imparting understanding of what driving a truck for a big company would probably be like. And so much of what we covered in class would have been much clearer if class was taught in an environment with a full-size model truck for us to see and touch as we went along. But that would require a big investment by ATI; they'd have to really care about thoroughly preparing students. I assure you, they don't.
Imagine that you want to learn to perform music before live audiences. So you go to a school that says it teaches that, but you spend 2 weeks receiving only verbal instruction. . .
2. Then you thown up on stage, handed an instrument, and someone yells at you, "you received instruction that you said you understood. Now, if you fail, who's fault is it?. . .YOURS!"
After 2 weeks of classroom instruction, and 1 day on their practice tarmac of just putting the truck in low gear and letting it pull itself along, we were taken out on the road, pulling a 53' trailer, to learn to shift and drive in real time. You read that right: With ZERO prior experience, we were to learn to drive an 18-wheeler, learn to double-clutch shift a 9-speed transmission out on the roadways in South Phoenix. My on-road instructor was a pure psychopath, making it nerve-wracking for some, terrifying for others.
I quit the next day. Weeks later, from another student whom I'd made friends and stayed in touch with, I found out that when the final testing day came, almost everyone failed.
Last: without question, the hardest, most stressful thing to learn in trucking is backing in between other parked trucks at truckstops and loading docks. Second to that is backing in between parked trailers (at least you're not in danger of hitting another driver's tractor) and last, lerning to back your truck in a straight line. These are things you should practice 500-1000 times before you hit the road on your own. AIT sends you out completely unskilled in these areas, letting you work that out with whatever trainer you are assigned if you go to work with one of the big carriers, where you have maybe a 20% chance of getting a good trainer. (You will probably be assigned to a filthy freak who teaches you just enough to drive 10 hours per day, from which he gets all the profit while you're paid a small allowance of maybe $340/week.)
I eventually graduated from Southwest Truck Driver Training in Phoenix and went on to drive for about 5 years before I was able to move back to normal life, 55 lbs overweight and NO money saved.
I learned that the trucking industry in America is, for 10x thousands of drivers, a vast underworld of incompetence, slave wages and misery. I can only speak well of Crete Carrier Corp, which treated me very well and did an overall GREAT job of maintaining their equipment.
WinG Griff
6 Jan 2018
I went to school there 16 years ago. Best thing I have ever done. Pricey but worth every penny if you want to be a serious driver.
Amanda Wilkins
22 Sep 2017
Instructors were awesome! Very friendly and personable! Learned a lot in a short period of time! Professional, fun, great atmosphere! I would recommend AIT to anyone! If you have a bad attitude, you w...
Instructors were awesome! Very friendly and personable! Learned a lot in a short period of time! Professional, fun, great atmosphere! I would recommend AIT to anyone! If you have a bad attitude, you will have a bad experience. Go there to learn and stay positive and respectful!
Carlos Valdivia
22 Aug 2017
I have been part of the AIT family for 2 years now and I love what I do. I get to help people change their lives and start a career in truck diving. It feels so amazing when my graduates come back an...
I have been part of the AIT family for 2 years now and I love what I do. I get to help people change their lives and start a career in truck diving. It feels so amazing when my graduates come back and to see me and thank me for helping them change their lives. I tell them them I just showed them the door, they had to walk through it and work hard to accomplish goals.
Chuck Wirth
21 Aug 2017
Having been associated with AIT for the past 26 years, and currently holding the position of President and CEO; I thank all the current and past team members that have dedicated their efforts to ensur...
Having been associated with AIT for the past 26 years, and currently holding the position of President and CEO; I thank all the current and past team members that have dedicated their efforts to ensure individuals wishing to start a career in trucking are well prepared. AIT’s approach to truck driving training is not to simply train someone how to pass a Commercial Drivers License test. Our mission is to provide life changing graduation experiences combined with regulatory compliance & financial success. Our graduates should know how to safely operate a commercial vehicle in a professional manner and while earning a reasonable living. If you are interest in learning trucking correctly you may want to discuss you goals with AIT.
william Huff
6 Aug 2017
I tested out of the classroom last week up until last week the experience was great, missed Saturday due to medical emergency , came back to find that the normal instructor was let go. okay no big dea...
I tested out of the classroom last week up until last week the experience was great, missed Saturday due to medical emergency , came back to find that the normal instructor was let go. okay no big deal, except we really didn't do anything on Sunday other than homework and do the mod tests and final exam for those going to get there permit. I passed my permit test thanks to the instructor that was let go. But my concern is with the students coming in and have no een there severval weeks and some that are finishing up this weekend or next. Other than that this school has been wonderful educationally for me. I look forward to getting out on the range and doing some practicing
Is this course worth 10k dollars, hell no its not... maybe 5000 but not 10,000 do i regret going to AIT, Yes because i could have studied on my own and got my permit and then went to a school that paid you to get your cdl. also feel that the range training is subpar and all the instructors do except for 2 instructors yell and scream at the trainee's for not shifting and braking right dont damage the equipment . Maybe if you had a little more patience with the trainee's and properly trained them you wouldnt have that problem.
jake liersemann
1 Aug 2017
So I signed up for the professional driving class (24 week class), I had an awesome recruiter who helped me through the getting approved for the school process, I can honestly say she loves her job an...
So I signed up for the professional driving class (24 week class), I had an awesome recruiter who helped me through the getting approved for the school process, I can honestly say she loves her job and doesn't mind helping you to understand what you're getting into, thank you Shantelle.
Now, I just started class today and I was basically thrown into a class with people that are at different points of the course. Not only that but, the regular teacher is taking time off and the teacher that is standing in basically just rushed through a couple chapters and had us watch some videos that he then gave us the answers to. I'm paying $10,000 for this course I truly expect more out of this as one can't learn anything this way. I'm coming in not knowing a damn thing about trucking and I can honestly say I didn't learn a damn thing today other than I think I chose the wrong school. Yes it's the first day and yes I might end up liking it however it was a bad start for them. I'm just referring to the class I'm in, everyone else there including Mr. Lehnus and Ms. Bickley are awesome people can't deny that. Really hoping class gets better and I actually learn here.
jennifer navarrette
6 Jun 2017
This place has got to be a scam. My husband reached out to them, inquiring on the service they provide for training. He decided he was not intrested. He kindly declined there invitation. I have repeat...
This place has got to be a scam. My husband reached out to them, inquiring on the service they provide for training. He decided he was not intrested. He kindly declined there invitation. I have repeatedly received 3-4 phone calls every single day since. I have asked many, many times to be taken off their call list. They are still calling sometimes just 2 hours after me asking them to stop calling. SMH. I mean it's just harrasment at this point. Of they were a legit training facility I would imagine they would conduct business more appropriatly. Now I will have to figure out how to block their number. Lol. Just a fair warning to the public!
Joseph Foster
3 May 2017
I Graduated in 2004. I stopped driving for a while so I needed a refresher course they kept there word . I'm very happy with my experience at AIT. I want to give a thank you to Mr. Gibbs and to Mr. E...
I Graduated in 2004. I stopped driving for a while so I needed a refresher course they kept there word . I'm very happy with my experience at AIT. I want to give a thank you to Mr. Gibbs and to Mr. Escobedo my instructors. Listen to them they know what they are talking about. Been back on the road now for 7 months. Making good money
8track
8 Mar 2017
I went through the school in 1993 and drove for 7 years. (( up until my wife started chemo for her cancer) it's been a long fight and I gave up cdl years ago, now that all is well I stopped in at ATI ...
I went through the school in 1993 and drove for 7 years. (( up until my wife started chemo for her cancer) it's been a long fight and I gave up cdl years ago, now that all is well I stopped in at ATI to find out i can take a refresher course for very little money to retain my cdl once again. (I was very shocked they would do this but this is for all who go to ATI!!) after completion and off to my 1st company orientation I was the only one who new how to drive a truck ( both forward and backing) thanks to ATI. With the new facility I expect this experience to be even better than the 1st time and for those of you who complain about the price I can say only this Do you want a company that will get you your cdl or do want the whole package, ATI can give you this!
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