A List of questions from a soon to be student for anyone who has the time

I do believe every one of these questions has been answered several ( if not many ) times already. Start reading the forum,use the search button, then if you have a specific question about a specific school / company / situation,then ask it.There are many, many variables and types of jobs in this occupation. All different.
If you are going to be a trucker, you have to learn to figure things out on your own, not a lot of hand holding in this business.
Having said that, good luck to you. It can be a good career.

 

1. It's a week by week thing , they ( the company ) will not be able to guarantee you to be home every weekend. They'll tell you that , but it's not a real world scenario. So be prepared for it not to happen every week.

2. Check into community colleges in your area , some offer CDL training , and are really great. please put up you location for more info on this one.

3. Depends....each company is different.

4. Again company specific.

5. It can be , good trip plannin g comes into play here , also the areas in which you'll be going have a bearing on this.

6. can be difficult , but , get all of the endorsements you can , along with a pass-port and TWIC card , this will be a definite help.

7. False....

8. That ....is always your call.....PERIOD....never try pushing on when you don't feel your skills are up to it. However , you'll have to challange your self to gain the skills needed to go. just takes time and patience. Some folks learn faster than others. remember slow and easy...

9. A , for me had the same job for over 30 years , retired in 2011.

10. Your health is always 1st...can't work if it's That bad....there are Urgent care places all over....always emegency Dept's in every hospital....if you're sick go to the Dr.

Hope my answers/opinions help...I'm sure they'll be others commenting! Good Luck !

 

Generally not realistic, also varies from company to company, locl jobs are available you have to pound the streets to find them, but in your case maybe worth it. Some will allow you to come on as a dock workers and work your way into driver. Here in the west we have readymix companies that will train you have you home every night and off most weekends.

CRST and the Mega Carriers will promise you anything to get you into the cab and then get you home only when your ready to hijack the truck, 3 weeks out or more. Yes they lie.

Way too long and expensive. Half that amount would be more inline. Try a community college.

Most are weekly at the end of the loads, varies from company to company.

Most of the time does matter where the terminal is, it is if you have a safe place to park it.

Easy you will learn that from your trainer, no worries.

Easy they almost all want you. Hundreds literally.

Not true at all. no more than 3 in 5 years, But it is wise to not have them at all.

This is a driver call, you do not ahve to move in bad weather it is drivers call despite what your dispatcher will tell you, use the other trucks on the road as a gauge.

It is no more stressful than you allow it to be. It is up to you.

You notify your DM that your sick, if you need to go see a doctor. Deal with as you need to, You do not have to drive if your are sick, its your call. They can repower the load.

 

Your post actually took more time than answering the questions. You hate new posters with questions, I hate stupid avatars because people have a lack of understanding of how to use the english language.

This is posted in Questions from a new driver, If you dont want to answer them go troll somewhere else.

I like your signature, maybe you should listen to yourself.

 

Here we go.
I hate no one. Having taught several people to be truckers ( not just steering wheel holders ) , I am proud of my history of assisting others.
My point is, learn to think, act, do for yourself. This trucking world is not easy, and you have to learn early to THINK for yourself. Use your tools, find the answers, and execute your plan. Asking others for help having not done the early work is no way to start this business. THINK for yourself.
Troll ? I think not my friend.Just trying to learn more about trucking, and maybe shedding some light for others.

Using the English language ? You will notice I used a capital letter in English. You did not, and I am correct.

You, sir, took my posting as a negative comment. It was not, just trying to show folks to think for themselves a little bit.
Thanks for the chance to explain to you.

 

10K and 5 months? That's roughly 500 hours of training. Counting in holidays maybe it's really 450 hours. That is a lot of time to learn the basics of driVing a truck.

I'm no expert. I graduate my school this week. After 225 hours of training about 20 hours behind the wheel driving I feel I'm at the point where I feel that I've outgrown the school. I've done my fair share of map reading, logs, International travel, hours of service and a bunch of other stuff. I can back up c-side and blind side with ether 0 or 1 pullup. It's nothing to "brag about" it's just skills a trucker needs out there. I know I have a lot to learn. But there is only so many fake log books I can do, or c side backing between cones. My time would be better spent "in the real world" next to a trainer smashing gears. Every company you go to will teach you even more about driving and will train you. Industry minimum is 165 hours of training and a few thousand dollars less then 10k

 

I don't think I could do another 250 hours of training. "Driving" a truck from point a to point b is just not that hard. I am sure real truckers will tell you the same. Real skills are really only learned in the real world.

 

Look into NTTS out of Liverpool NY. (Syracuse) my course cost me High 6k 225 hours. I'm in a part time program, 4 months "2 days" a week. Same course can be done full time in 3 weeks, and they will even work with you in lodging. 6k is even a bit high, but my GI BILL paid for it, plus being part time I could do it while still in the army. I'm sure there are other programs cheaper.