what should I expect?

If your based in NC you will be in the snow and some very bad areas. I travel between OH and NC/SC and back again. Lots of snow covered roads and steep grades. I been over Fancy Gap in bad weather more times then I can count. Your actually starting at a good time. When you head out with your trainer you should be into winter driving coming East and getting some experience. Getting trained in the summer you would have nobody to train you when winter comes around.

There is NOTHING wrong with driving slow when the s*** hits the fan. Don't be like the other numb nuts tail gating in bad weather. Your instructor may be one of those. Just get through the training and on your own and be a safe driver.

 

You will learn and probably by mistake. People can tell you but until you experience it and survive it you will never forget. Like passing a car on the right that's making a left and the car on the other road pulls out and doesn't see you. I'll never forget that.

Best bet in winter driving for a new person is to follow a flatbed, oversized or anyone not part of a mega fleet and do what they do. Seeing another truck on a slick highway going down a hill with all the tires on the right hand side in the fresh snow in the breakdown lane is for a reason. Stuff like that. Get on the CB and ask.

 

Are you going to Marshfield, WI for school? If so, weather this year seems to be a bit tricky. My home is not far from Marshfield. It was fall when I left 3 weeks ago and was not expecting winter so soon. Currently, I'm trying to get home to get my cold weather gear. Snow might be/might not be. Seen winters with nothing but cold and bare. There is approx 4-5 inches on the ground. Wind chills have been very low with this arctic blast. I would pack some clothing for zero degree. Layering is the key. You will be outside around the trucks. You will be exposed to the cold with hooking and unhooking, pre-trips and other activities. Insulated coveralls would be nice along with some good boots. All of this will be needed out on the road so might as well invest in good gear. A light weight ski/face mask might come in handy. Might want to head to either Walmart or Fleet Farm when you get to Marshfeild and check out the winter apparel instead of packing it on a flight. Fleet Farm, out on the NW side of town, carries a nice section of work cold weather clothing including Carhart among others brands.