Bates Technical College

*Truck Drivers Program* Take what you can from this complete breakdown of my experience of the course and run with it as best as you can.
In my heart I thought I was getting into an awesome program which would excel me to new heights with a fantastic learning experience. «How so wrong I was.»
In this 5 month program at 5 days a week and 7 – 8 hours a day in classroom, I’d had expected way more than what I got. The instructor Dan French supposedly has his ideas of what good teaching is vs me and my opinions on how a program should be taught. I’ve learned to shift a manual transmission so I’m thankful for that and am learning parts of a truck that I never cared to know about. We as a class have done some book work and read about pre-​trip like crazy.
I don’t want to sit here and bore you with typing a ton of information but I want to inform you that I’d highly bite your tongue if you consider coming to this program.
Sitting in your office all day not teaching the class is totally unacceptable and strange. Not showing up to class without texting the class in a group chat is not cool either. I have come to class a few times now and the instructor has taken the day off. When he does that he could have informed us in way advance or that morning before we arrived so we could figure out if we wanted to show up or not. When you have a teacher that says he cares about the class but doesn’t act like it, that really lowers the motivation for success in the completion of the course.
Doing circles in a parking lot all day long is very boring. Our instructors lack of taking his students out on the road has been frustrating. In the afternoons, there is no excuse why we shouldn’t be able to go out on the road. Time has been very much wasted on all levels. It’s a total letdown and I’ve been very shocked with the outcome of this course.
The teacher has been involved in HR investigations this semester for allegations of being a racist and that took time out from our road experience. People have fought in the classroom from time to time (Verbally not physical). We’ve seen all sorts of things happen through this 5 month course that probably shouldn’t have happened.
I’m just glad that it’s all about over. I just feel bad for any new comers. I don’t want to kill your dreams at all and steer you away but come into this program with a strong mind. It’s just been sort of a train wreck with a lack of instruction and almost a lazy do it yourself attitude.
Personally if you thought any of the above was bad or not bad enough then let’s talk about how Dan thinks it’s okay to not wear a seatbelt out on the road. Apparently he doesn’t believe in them from what he has told the class. What kind of example of safety does that give off to future students? On top of that, then you have recruiters coming into the school talking about truck driving careers and they preach safety and how Bates College and their instructors make it their number 1 priority. Sorry, but that has not been the case so far.
I’m just so disgusted with all of this. I hope that has helped you in someway, shape or form. If you want to pay it forward to me, all I ask is in the future, if you come about problems, please try and inform others of how that affected you and what you did to try and make it better.
Thanks.

I just went to pick up my transcripts from Bates. I went there over 10 years ago. I’m currently at Pierce College transferring over to University of Washington Tacoma campus. I wanted to write a review because I remember how horrible my experience was at this school. How my dental assistant teacher tried so hard do not allow me to complete the program simply because she did not like me. Making unfounded accusations. The school took my money and I showed up to class and she tried to get me kicked out for absolutely no reason other than she didn’t like me. But I prevailed because she was wrong and in spite of her finished the program. I now go to Pierce College and all staff there do everything that they can to motivate you and to help you succeed. Bates Technical College and their staff are a sorry excuse for school. Always putting students down no matter what department you go to they are rude and not helpful. I would never recommend anyone to waste their time and money at the school

The cafeteria here is one of the best *hidden* lunch values downtown.
For less than $ 6 you have a choice of several different entrees (selection changes daily), you can get a burger or sandwich made to order, or there’s a salad bar. Everything I’ve ordered here has been at least ‘ok’, but its often quite good. Whenever I get tired of the ‘same ol’ lunch, I know I can get something different at Bates for cheap.
The one bad thing about dining here is the limited hours: lunch is only from 11:00 — 12:30 Monday — Thursday. During the summer quarter its usually pretty empty, but fall through spring it can be busy. You don’t have to be a student to dine here.
Order from the chefs behind the counter, pay at the register, and your food will be brought out in a few minutes. Get your own silverware/​condiments and bus your own dishes. There is also a ‘fine dining’ option with table service in a different room, which I have not tried yet.