Crossroads Barrie Truck and Bus Driver Training Academy — Local services in Oro-Medonte

Worst experience ever. My husband who after 18 years in the construction trade decided to make a career change. Went to crossroads thinking "big name" would offer a quality experience, quality education and good assistance with making this switch. Paid the money. Did the course. Which went fine. Only for everything to go down hill once booking the actual drive test. The first time he went in and failed by a couple points on the written part (driving was perfect). So he had to book a re test for a couple months later (no big deal as that is on us). They couldn't get him in for a long time though which hurts as he had already signed on with a company with intentions to be able to drive. After them saying they would find a date and basically not calling back for weeks. My husband started to call them, pushing for them to book him in. They informed him he had already missed multiple dates he could of been booked for (because they failed to call him and book him in) and that the only time available would of been months down the road. The issue with this is that he didnt get a phone call. Didnt get a date. So much time went on and they didnt even consider him for any of these dates like they had promised and failed to inform him of any dates coming up. My guess is they got their money they no longer are making him a priority and basically are writing him off or are trying to loose the connection. If it wasnt for us having to reach out every day for 2 weeks I dont think he would of ever got a date or even a call back from them. Finally we get a date and a time. Being this Monday at 11 am. In ORILLIA which is a 45 min drive from us. We studied all weekend and he took the day off work to make this drive. Sitting in the parking lot since 9 am ready and willing to just get this done with. He walks in, registers everything else. 11am rolls around when he is suppose to test he walks up to the desk and they inform him that crossroads actually did not book him in for this date or time and he cant test today. !!!!! We have been waiting months for this day. And they messed it up again. Apparently there were 2 schedules. One where he was booked and one where he wasnt. Doesnt make sense as on the new one he had been replaced by someone else who ended up going ahead with their test. The only option the test center could offer is waiting around til 1 to see if that guy shows up. So now he is sitting and waiting in hopes they dont. After calling crossroads, talking to multiple people and trying to figure out what went wrong here. They had no information to give him and basically said next time to book would be another month down the road..... that's all they would do. No apology. No remorse. Like I said. It feels as if they have already ended the education relationship before my husband has even completed his goal, which I think is extremely unprofessional coming from a place that over charges thousands of dollars for the education to get your test. Other issue is we have to book through them. They have the truck. They have the instructor. Only way around it is dropping hundreds of other dollars renting a different truck and going outside of the school booking periods. Us as a young family with 2 babies under 3 and me not working, do not believe this is something we should have to do or should be required to do since we already paid for the use of crossroads to take the test. And all the fees associated with taking the re test. Now we are here on the day we were hoping this would all be over and we are no better off. Another day of lost wages. Another day of driving 45 mins one way to find out there is nothing they can do. And another month of waiting for hopefully an actual date and time to re test. To boot he still doesnt have his license which his new job is still waiting on, possibly putting his new career we have worked so hard to get into on the line. Which is scary for us with relying on that income. We got no support from crossoads. They still haven't even given us a date and instead a promise to call back (again)...

Do yourself a favor and go to another truck driving and training school. After my recent experience with crossroads I would not recommend this school/academy to anyone. They do not teach you here but provide you with a script to follow which does not meet the MTO standards for anyone looking to get their DZ license. If you are coming to this school with no experience with trucks of this nature with expectations of them showing you what you need to know, DO NOT COME HERE. I gave this “school” $1600 for a DZ training course 1 year ago. I was told by Chris(receptionist) TODAY in the office “many others” from my class in November of 2019 are still waiting to get our road test completed and booked over 1 year later... I recently failed my road test and the school said it was solely my fault instead of taking my constructed criticism and any responsibility in the way that I specifically received training.

My instructor Chris failed to train me correctly on a proper schedule 1 inspection. I know this because the examiner Judy in Barrie told me exactly why I failed my inspection and it contradicted what I was told by my instructor Chris. I failed my inspection following exactly what he told me to do. My first in vehicle 3h lesson was cut a half hour short for no known reason. My second lesson was followed by rural drives to his favorite gas station to get him coffee and lotto tickets. Your test will be performed in Barrie around Mapleview drive yet you will be driving the rural roads to Orillia for no reason. During my shorter than I paid for road lessons no COVID-19 standards were followed. My instructor chose not to wear a mask in the truck during our time together- yet put it on to get a coffee at Tim Hortons? None of the trucks were sanitized or cleaned between lessons nor were the trucks clean at all, instead garbage all over the floor and old coffee cups in the holders. Very unprofessional and low standards coming from a “academy”.

When I came into the office today to address my concerns I was soon confronted by my instructor Chris who quickly became angry that I was unhappy with the inadequate schedule 1 inspection training he provided. After some short words and some raising of the voices he asked me to step outside for a moment - I regretfully followed him outside. He told me 3/5 students passed their test "today" After i told him his 50-60% student success rate was considerably low he then became belligerent - red to the face walked up to me chest to chest and started screaming in my face- still no mask on. Completely disregarding any COVID-19 standards and any professionalism. I asked him to step back polity and felt this could have easily escalated physical. Thankfully I am level headed and can control myself. Extremely unprofessional standards, I question how Chris is still training students with such a short temper and not following COVID-19 standards while inside with the social distancing measure put into place by the ministry of health and safety. I have also reported this to the ministry as this school did not want to hear my concerns and issues with my training i received wanted no word of it. The current rise in COVID19 cases are a result of negligence caused by people such as my instructor Chris and his disregard for face coverings in enclosed environments and lack sanitizing of trucks between different sets student and instructors.

The whole time I was in the office they treated my concerns as a joke. I am not surprised based on how they are running this “academy”. I would really like to know who regulates and controls the curriculum, teaching standards and employs hot head instructors to teach inadequate truck inspections. This person would be the one who is ultimately failing the students allowing these types of standards and practices to continue. Maxed out characters/end review. TLDR; This "academy" is a scam, save your money go somewhere else. More reviews have very similar experiences to me. If I have convinced 1 person reading this to avoid this academy this post was...

Cross Roads Training School fails to meet even the most basic expectations for a training institution, evidenced by my regrettable experience pursuing a BZ license. From inadequate study material to unprofessional staff behavior, every aspect of my time at this school was riddled with disappointment and frustration.

First and foremost, the study material provided by Cross Roads Training School was woefully inadequate. Lacking clarity and detail, it left much to be desired in terms of preparing students for the complexities of the BZ license exam. Attempting to navigate through unclear materials only added unnecessary stress to an already challenging learning process.

One of the most egregious issues I encountered was the demeanor of my instructor, Beatrice. Far from being supportive or approachable, Beatrice consistently exhibited an unfriendly demeanor, often resorting to raising her voice during lessons. Such behavior not only created an uncomfortable learning environment but also hindered effective communication between instructor and student.

Furthermore, the lack of punctuality at Cross Roads Training School was appalling. Not a single lesson started on time, leading to wasted time and frustration. On one occasion, Beatrice disappeared for a staggering 45 minutes during a lesson. Shockingly, it was revealed that the interruption was due to an impromptu staff meeting initiated by THE OWNER, disrupting the learning process entirely.

The unprofessionalism exhibited by staff extended beyond mere tardiness. During my air brake endorsement session, the instructor continuously chain-smoked in the cab of the truck, creating a deeply unpleasant and hazardous environment. This behavior is not only unacceptable but also demonstrates a blatant disregard for the well-being of students.

Mechanical issues plagued the training bus, causing significant delays in completing my lessons. Breakdowns were frequent, and the promised two-week repair time stretched into an agonizing ten weeks or so due to back-ordered parts. The unreliable nature of the training bus added unnecessary obstacles to an already challenging learning journey, prolonging the process significantly.

In conclusion, Cross Roads Training School is wholly unfit for anyone seeking to obtain their BZ license. Unless significant improvements are made, I cannot in good conscience recommend this school to anyone. Potential students would be wise to seek alternative options for their training needs. Any reply to this review from Crossroads which undermines the credibility of my information presented is merely an attempt to protect the company's public image, devoid of substance or integrity. The only appropriate response in this situation is a comprehensive and...