Student hirees

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by RGT766, Nov 21, 2014.

  1. RGT766

    RGT766 Bobtail Member

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    When someone gets hired by local company directly out of school whether it's a large carrier like jb hunt or small independent company, how long is it until those hirees are out on the road alone. How do they put someone out there who has never backed into an actual dock before? How long does it take for one to grow a custom to backing where they can do it with no problem?
     
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  3. blairandgretchen

    blairandgretchen Road Train Member

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    Not long enough, in my opinion.

    A lot of times, you're put with a lease operator who just needs you to run the miles to make their truck payment, not train you.

    Avoid that scenario.

    Theoretically, you should be able to pass the practical test at the DMV, but as these same companies also have "DMV approved" testers - that's a joke as well.

    Do some heavy research before you sign up.
     
  4. blairandgretchen

    blairandgretchen Road Train Member

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    To be honest, I had zero driving time before going out alone.Long story.

    Long story short, I lost about 30 lbs in 2 months.Pure white knuckle stress. But I'd been playing in the sand pit with Tonka trucks a while, so I knew EVERYTHING about trucking.
     
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  5. KMac

    KMac Road Train Member

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    Depends on the Company, I have even heard thaf Watkins Sheppard has a 10 day orientation and then you go out alone, right from the start. I think an average is 5 - 6 weeks. Different companies have different requirements too. The one I work for requires all students to drive in all regions of the country, descend a certain number of mountains with and without the Jake brake, bumping docks in the north east, passing video training modules etc, during that time. Then you return to the yard and are given prwcticle testing and assuming you pass that OK, you are sent out solo.

    I would look for the most thorough for what you are looking to get into.
     
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  6. sherlock510

    sherlock510 Road Train Member

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    Yup, after 10 days of "orientation" they hand ya some keys to a $70k rig..
    No way you feel 100% afterwards but there was no mentor program when I started. Looking back on it now, 2-3 months with some schmuck who's running me hard to make his truck payment, wouldn't have worked. These trucks are already small with one person.

    How long it takes depends on you. For the most part, after that first year you don't even get out to look anymore. You understand the trucks demensions and if no one parks over the line it's the same backing every time. After 6 months +/- you stop rocking the truck back and forth, while backing, cause ya understand how the clutch works lol.

    Good luck.
     
    Last edited: Nov 21, 2014
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  7. gpsman

    gpsman Road Train Member

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    Somewhere between a few days and never. The secret to backing is in the set-up for the back, not the backing.

    My very first trip was to the Bay area, to a receiver that was infamous among the carrier's drivers for the degree of difficulty hitting their dock. While waiting for a dock I walked around back and watched drivers struggle with it. Room was tight, but it was a can o' corn if set-up correctly.
     
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  8. kemosabi49

    kemosabi49 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    When I first got my CDL, I went out on my own right away. My first 2 weeks went to Philly to Houston to Dallas to Chicago to Boston to Lost Angeles. Alone. I made it though, but looking back, there is no way I was ready to be on my own at that time. And I wouldn't put that on anyone today. My guardian angel was close by.
     
  9. pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

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    Most the starter companies have a 6 to 8 week training program.Once training is done you're not going to be the perfect driver,there will be many things you learn as you go.Backing takes practice.With each back you'll get better and better.It'll be a good 2 months before you start to feel comfortable.
     
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  10. RGT766

    RGT766 Bobtail Member

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    The reason is ask is because, I know a guy who owns a small container outfit in new haven ct. He's willing to give me an opportunity if I want it when I get my cdl. It's a small outfit of about 8 drivers, all O'Os. But he owns 2 daycab Cascadias, he'll put me in one. It's new haven to port Newark and back. I just feel like I'm putting myself in a bad spot for some reason.
     
  11. Salted

    Salted Light Load Member

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    Honestly i was given a shot as well with jp noonan and i trained for 4 weeks. I was asked after that how i felt and if i wanted to train longer but i felt good with myself so ive been out on my own and have had no troubles yet but im sure they will come

    But at the end of the day you need to decide whats best for you. It could work out great or horrible. But its you Mvr and your future job opportunities at risk.
     
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