It's hit me like a ton of bricks---I'm embarking on a new career and if I'm to be successful, I gotta change some things before I get to school. I've read plenty of posts from newbies that have gotten to school or orientation only to be dismissed for one reason or another. I'm a realist and know that I will spend a lifetime changing - that's pretty much a given - but what I'd like to focus on now (6 months before I start driving school), is what I need to change so I don't get shut down before I even get started. We're all different but I think there might just be some common reasons for early failure in this career.
So, I guess my questions are these: 1) In your opinion, what has been a common problem that has resulted in dismissal from school or orientation?, and 2) What have you experienced drivers noticed that the majority of newbies do that could have been eliminated from the getgo by a simple change in habit or thinking?
Good lord, have I got some bad habits!!!!
Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by JustSonny, Dec 9, 2009.
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Baack, kickin chicken, simplyred1962 and 1 other person Thank this.
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#1 is lying about employer info or accident and ticket info, this will get you kicked out so fast you never saw it coming. Another thing a lot of newbs these days have is that chip on their shoulder thinking they know everything it is to be a trucker and dont listen to the trainers and end up bringing down others around them. No one ever knows everything about trucking. Even these guys that have 1 or 2 million miles, trust me they are still learning new things and thas what makes a good trucker, heck a good anything. You have to be willing to learn and change habits and skills.
rwings, smokyjuan, simplyred1962 and 2 others Thank this. -
Welcome to Moron Trucking. You have experienced the joyful pleasure of having sunshine blown up your posterior by our wonderful recruiters. However, now reality sets in. Enjoy the feeling of cattle heading to slaughter for the rest of your stay at Moron Trucking.
From what Ive seen:
You go into orientation. At a bottom feeder company, there will be 30 others just like you waiting to get started every week. You sit there for a couple days watching company propaganda films and stupifying safety films. While you are watching films, you notice that the size of the class has shrunk.
Be late to class, youre out.
Lie about accidents or work history, youre out.
Fail the drug test, youre out.
Even if you have a DOT card, theyre going to make you do a DOT physical. Fail the physical, youre out.
You will take a quick, super easy driving test. If you cant find the gears, youre out. If you jump a curb, youre out. Stall the truck more than once, youre out. "My truck in truckdriving school had a ______ transmission and so I dont know how to shift this one" isnt going to cut it. Either you can drive or you cant.
(For flatbedders) After they issue the doorslammers their trainers, you will have to take a tiedown class that usually lasts 2 days. Then they will put you with a trainer. If you cant figure out how to get along with the trainer, theres a good chance youre out.
Upon completion of your 6 weeks with the trainer, they will issue the doorslammers their very own "state of the art" fleet truck. Flatbedders will have to take a tiedown test and pass before they are issued their gear.
Do something really stupid as a rookie, and your entire driving career is in jeapardy.Truckin<F.N.G.>Trucker and JustSonny Thank this. -
Another reason for failure is going to the wrong company to begin with.
Warnings are on the board. Student to be complains that all we do is post negative stuff. Normally this is someone who has an interest in said company... insert reason here... it is my only option.... I would have to wait 2 weeks to get approved at a decent company.... I know I have read all the bad, but I am going anyway.... by the way; why ask about a company if you are going to get mad when you hear what you don't want to hear? After all your mind is already made up your going there anyway....
So go blow about 3 grand on a school and then pick a jacked up outfit and bail after 6 months....JustSonny Thanks this. -
unpaid tickets or to many tickets.
No it passing medical, you can take a DOT physical at most any industrial medical.
Do not lie on anything.simplyred1962 and JustSonny Thank this. -
Lying about anything on your application is definitely the *1 reason people are rejected, especially at company orientation. Companies have a constant flow of people looking for jobs, so why would they waist their time with someone who just lied to them.
simplyred1962 and JustSonny Thank this. -
simplyred1962, JustSonny and rwings Thank this.
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One of the biggest reasons to get sent home is failing your DOT physical. Blood pressure too high. Since you already drive a school bus, you have a current physical in your wallet. I would suggest going down to any drug store and buying a home blood pressure monitoring cuff (about $20) and monitor your pressure weekly. If it is or gets too high, you can do something about it BEFORE you go to orientation. Medications will bring it down almost instantly.
Another thing I'm hearing is companies are sending newbies home because of BMI out of whack. (Body mass index). Prime Inc. has requirements. Find out what yours is NOW, and then fix it if needed. Means loosing weight.
Paperwork needs to be right on. You need to show up on time and do the "I am organized" type personality. Have some cash in your pocket to carry you for a couple weeks. Be clean, lose the piercings, cover the tattoos, follow directions, don't act bored. Get plenty of sleep, don't party, read any literature pertaining to the company you can find. While the others are joshing around in the break room, you are exploring the yard/shop/whatever to learn about the company. You will not bother office personnel with corny questions. After you do your homework nightly, if you have any, you will go over it 2 more times to make sure it is done right. You will need your Social Security card to be processed in. Not just the Number, the actual card. Any large company will start out with 50 newbies at orientation and will end up with a lot less. That's because so many aren't prepared. If you wear glasses, get your prescription updated NOW. -
I forgot to mention this: if there are alot of students waiting for trainers in the motel, they will become restless and go up to the local convenience store to buy beer. A company rep might come up there and spy, and they will can the entire group, no questions asked.
Good drivers gravitate towards each other. When you first start orientation, you will see two kinds of people: those who just want to get by and those who are putting their best foot foward. Put your best foot foward and you will be issued your own rig. There are two kinds of rookies out there, those who just want to get by and those who want to hone their skills. Hone your skills and the company will want you to be a trainer. There are two kinds of trainers out there, those who just want to get by and those who want to help others become exceptional drivers.
When you are at the top of the pile at Moron Trucking, you will meet other top notch drivers from other companies. They will tell you about their companies and you will have to determine if you want to stay at the entry level company or go to a better company.
shadowfax, Mulerescue007 and JustSonny Thank this. -
Thanks Allow Me,
I've gotten some really good advice through this thread.
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