Travelin' with the big rigs
by Maria Carter, reporter

    People looking to learn how to put the pedal to the metal can learn the proper techniques in truck driving at TCC.

In a partnership between the college and Weatherford College, NW Campus now offers a year-around truck-driving course.

    Weatherford College is a top-rated truck driving school (TDS) offering class “A” Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) certification upon completion.

    Billy Jack Swearingin, director of the truck-driving course (TDC), has taught at Weatherford College and brings 30 years of experience to Tarrant County.

    “We don’t treat people like cattle, we give one-on-one individual attention,” he said.

    Because Weatherford is an established TDS, it can provide trucks and equipment to cut cost.

    “It is one college helping another college,” he said.

    The NW course provides students with a career change in addition to job opportunities.

    “Some people never had a chance; we’re giving them a chance,” he said.

    Requirements for the course are minimal.

    “If you’re willing to learn, we can teach you to drive a truck and get you a job,” he said.

    Swearingin works closely with 100 major companies to provide employment for graduating students.

    “Priority number one is the student and the success of the student. If in four weeks the student is not a qualified driver, we have the flexibility to carry the student a little longer without charge,” he said.

    The first week is spent in class on campus, where students become familiar with safety precautions as well as state requirements. A written exam must be passed before students can participate in the driving portion.

    Once out of the class, students venture into a three-week hands-on driving course. Students go through a number of driving exercises, from parallel parking to night driving.

    All course instructors are professional truck drivers who can offer first-hand experience to their students. When students are behind the wheel of an 18-wheeler, an instructor always accompanies them.

    “We teach safety first,” he said.

    In the past few years, instructors have seen a gradual increase in women taking the course. The ratio between men and women is about 50/50.

    “There is a great demand for women as drivers and instructors,” he said.

    Sheila Melton, 43, of Mineral Wells took the class three years ago at Weatherford looking for better employment.

    “The instructors were supportive and would not give up on me,” she said.

    The best part of the course was being on the road, Melton said.
“When it was my turn to drive, I knew I was as good or better than any man behind the wheel,” she said.

    Melton works for Nations Personnel, who contracts Melton to Slow Dog Inc, which is contracted to FedEx Ground in Fort Worth.
The course has changed her life, and Melton said she is an assertive woman with self-esteem and confidence in her abilities as a professional truck driver. She credits the course for these attributes.
Melton has won three safety awards in addition to an award for outstanding service.

    Fellow student Jackie Ussery, 48, of Mineral Wells took the course in 1999 in Weatherford. Ussery is employed with Chaney Company.

    Ussery recommends the course to women who wish to become independent.

    “All my life I had to depend on other people. I knew I could do it myself,” she said.

    The course gave Ussery a whole new outlook on driving and a new respect for people who drive.

    Ussery is a mother of three grown children and one grandchild.

    “My children are proud to say their mother is a professional truck driver,” she said.

    Ron Berry, 52, of Burleson saw an advertisement about the course while driving home one night.

    Berry is in the aircraft industry and looking for a career change. He was most impressed with how the course was well organized and the method of teaching.

    “They take you at a pace where you can learn as well as comprehend,” he said.

    For Berry, the most exciting part was learning to shift gears. The trucks have 10 forward gears, and it was a little difficult for Berry to learn to downshift.

    “I was amazed by the sheer massive size and power of the truck when behind the wheel,” he said.

    Ronald Ray Cason, instructor, works closely with students observing their individual learning styles.

    “As an instructor, I can use techniques to bring out the best in a student,” he said.

    Brendon Stephens, 18, of Colleyville read about the course in the college newspaper.

    “I took the course because I have a passion for driving. It is second nature to me,” he said.

    “The most important thing I learned is called observation. We are taught to look both ways by turning our heads in the direction we’re looking,” he said.

    Stephens now works as a truck driver at Lowes in Hurst.

    “My parents are very proud of me,” he said.

    Arthur Galindo, 58, of Fort Worth retired from General Motors and was looking for a change in his life, so he took the course on campus.

    “I just retired and needed something to keep me busy,” he said.
    “I would recommend the truck driving course because it was very good and extremely thorough, which led to my getting a CDL,” he said.

    The truck driving class is exclusive to NW Campus and offers students a chance at a rewarding career and a chance to make new life-long friends.

    The job pays well, and TCC’s specialty courses offer a high placement rate.

    A new class starts every third week of the month on NW Campus.

    For more information, contact continuing education at 817-515-7758 or Swearingin at 1-800-951-3399.