Recent Truck School Grad Worried about training

Before you decide on May, you will want to read this thread on this forum (see link), and maybe do some more research for a company.

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...any-here/11301-may-trucking-inc-salem-or.html

 

Ok just, relax you, will do fone....you will be fine....
Yes, they should have trained you on a ten speed( i have never drove a 13 speed in my seven years.)< but it does not mater, i learned on 18speed
Whatever company you go with, you can bett they'll put you with a trainer, for at least two weeks..... A far as shifting a ten speed go's< let me give you some speeds to shift at 1300 rpm( no truck is ,the same) 2nd=3mph,3rd=6mph,4th=8mph5th=12mph(pull spliter up to go from 5th to 6th, or down to go from 6th to 5th) okay the high range is where most trucks differ fom one another, so i am going to give you the speed range for each gear, this should give you an idea of where to shift.
6th=15-20,mph 7th=20-25,mph 8th=25mph-35,mph 9th=35-45mph 10th=45-hovever fast your truck will go. to make it easy on yourself,
think of it has a five speed......the bigest problem you will have is rembering to put the spliter down when down shifting( we all do it,i dont care hoe long you have been on the road)...rember slow down, take it easy, you will miss shifts( we all do every single day,my dad has been on the road for 47yearsand he misses a shift, all the time...it's normal)the key is to not lose youre head,rember when you lose a gear shifting, just match the road speed to the rpms..... Good luck, you will learn and 25 years from
now, you will still make mistakes...Well actualy 25 years from now all the trucks will be automatics....REMBER WHEN YOU CAN NOT FIND YOUR GEAR
WHEN DOWNSHIFTING, CHECK YOUR SPLITER 99.9% OF THE TIME THAT WILL BE THE PROBLEM.......BE SAFE, AND MIND THE TIGHT TURNS!!!!

 

First of all, take a deep breath and RELAX!! :smt033 Now, you should have been informed by your school that the only companies who will accept you are companies that have training programs. May Trucking is one such company. Now, as far as the general consensus of this forum, there are really only two worthwhile training companies and those are Schneider National and Roehl. Both companies are based out of Wisconsin. That said, I started my career three years ago with PAM Transport. It is my belief that the success you'll have with ANY trucking company throughout your career is greatly dependent on how you deal with everything. There are good companies and there are bad companies. In my personal opinion, I think you've chosen a company that is in the middle, although more towards the bad side. This opinion is strictly based off of what I've read on this site about May Trucking. PLEASE keep in mind that just because one or even one hundred drivers have had bad experiences with any company does not necessarily mean that you will be doomed. As I said, your attitude is the key. Also your independent lifestyle is crucial. Are you married? Kids? How much time do you want to spend ongone from friends and family? The way I was able to make my first year OTR a success, and also why I'm still making it three years later, is because I have made a personal commitment to my job over my family. Also, I'm single and have no children.

I'm straying from your questions. To get back on track, don't worry about your shifting. You WILL be trained on ALL aspects of this wonderful job that I and many others love so much we can't imagine, nor want, to do anything else. I'm sure you will do fine. Just keep an open mind and don't let every little thing get to you. While you're in training, keep your eyes and ears open at all times and your mouth closed as much as you can. That was my approach and it allowed me to tolerate being trapped in a truck for 4 weeks with a guy I had nothing in common with and would be mad at by the end of nearly every day. Remember this cliche of the industry, TRUCKING AIN'T FOR SISSIES!

 

Lookin' forward to you joining our ranks out here! I was also a trainer for PAM, so if there's ever anything you think I could help you with don't hesitate to ask. I don't know everything, but I've learned my fair share out here these past 3 1/2 years. Just PM me if I can ever be of help.

 

You will have to get with May Trucking or other Trucking Co. you decide to go with if May doesn't work out. But here is what I got from my company at the time I went through their training (Remember all companies are different with how a Trainee gets paid and what amount.
Most are paying $300 to $450).

I got $350 a week during the Training period (it was 6 weeks + 2 more weeks voluntarily cause Trainer wanted to run as true Team Operation during Thanksgiving time of year for his Holiday Bonus). After training I went solo at $0.28/mi and with 1 year with them I was at $0.30. After 4 years with same company, I was at $0.35/mi.

As far as miles went during 1st year, I averaged 3000mi/wk. Will never forget my first tour as solo (Out 19 days and ran 16days and did 8500 miles in those 16days) and they gave me 2 extra days off at home. This 1st tour was from Dec 21st to Jan 9th. and I was driving on Christmas day on I-10 through Palm Springs, Ca and I missed seeing snow

That is what you want is get paid; same for empty and loaded. Some companies pay more for loaded Haz-Mat loads also (SRT being one of them and KLLM but not as good as SRT).

Yes, Ca is expensive and you are correct, it will be hard to live on starting solo pay. Who knows, while your're driving, you might find a less expensive place to live that you like. If, of course you decide you want to move.

As far as the shifting, most company trucks are the regular 10-speeds and possibly a Super 10. I think May usues the former but not sure. Anyway, a regular 10 speed is just as mentioned earlier in a post; a 5 speed with a splitter to get to the other 5 speeds ((Low range for 1 - 5 [Switch down] and High range for 6 -10 [Switch up] )). Reverse is switch down for low range and switch up for high range. Just leave switch down for reverse. I never saw or felt a difference between low and high when in reverse.

Hope this helped without confusing you. (I got confused just typing it, LOL).

 

Welcome and don't fret about things, Most companies have training programs in place. As far as pay goes, it varies from one company to another. Some pay mileage and some percentage, some pay loading/unloading and drops some not. Never be afraid to ask questions and ask a lot. I am an instructor and have done numerous jobs within this industry in the almost 15 years I've been here, so by all means ask if you have any specific questions and I'll try to help you.

 

Ledbetter who did you start driving with? Who are you driving with now?