Help a trucker wannabe out!

Texasbound- I hope you read this thread from the beginning but I would guess not with your comment. Openroadguy, who started the thread, has really come full circle and it shows in this whole thread. You are right- you really don't know what it's like as a newbie until you are in the thick of it but that is one good thing about this forum-the advice you get from the experienced drives. Yes we all know this IS NOT A JOB it is A LIFESTYLE! ORG has many posts on knowing he will not be home, will not see his family, will struggle but still has made this decision with support and good intentions. He is excitied, chomping at the bit! Why discourage him? Why is it that people treat newbies in their profession like that rather than to remember how excited they were when they were new!! We were all new at one time in our jobs/professions.

I have some personal experience with a family member who is a newbie and I can say that the lifestyle of a driver hit me full force in the face! It was nothing I was expecting and it's nothing they teach you in CDL school. You learn it day one when you get the keys to your trainer's truck. The difference is I spent time learning what I could, regulations, HOS, what to take or not take, how to make meals etc. And it was a learning experience and continues to be.

It's great to hear from drivers with experience but it's disheartening to continue to hear, ''get a job at McDonalds.''

 

Sammycat, Not only couldn't I agree more with your post, But I'm SO GLAD folks like you realize that not "all" of us are simply going into this blind!

Not "ALL" of us are simply looking for a "JOB" but a career (ORG left one that Texasbound would probably ENVY the money from), and we are intelligent enough to have researched the living daylights out of this one. I did so much that I spent a month OTR with a friend just to experience the "lifestyle". Yep, tough hours, little sleep, long waits at the docks or truck stops, no shower for up to 5 days and plenty more things!! LOL All of it.

So what did this "unenlightened dummy" do? Sold my 4x4 to pay for school and now without a thing to call my own, struggling just to get a shot at being hired and chomping at the bit to get going...LOL

Ain't it GREAT!!

So we can simply dismiss the naysayers and smile while we keep on trucking!!

 

you will do fine. After 4 years I still like it. Here I am at home on my second day of vacation, and Im already thinking of the road. It's getting to where I think the truck is my home. It's true what they say that it gets in your blood. I just wan't to hit the road all the time now.

 

Thanks Guys!! I just put down what I felt and I guess since I have been here since the beginning it just made sense! I do also get tired of the nay sayers. Like I said I have seen and heard it all in my profession too (RN)

 

Well folks, I was just accepted to orientation by Watkins & Shepard for a Monday the 16th start. I (and a few others) have to meet a guy named Vern who will have a van at their terminal in Sayerville NJ on Sunday at 8:00am.

Now where's that little dancing guy? LOL

Oh...OK...this guy will do! .... .....

 

Great job man! I didn't think you would have problem. You are now on your way. Hard to believe in a few more weeks you will be on your own. Orientation should be a blast for you! While you are attending orientation talk to some of the drivers you see coming and going. If you find someone you hit it off with see if you can hook up with them for training. This usually is better than just being put with any random person. Also before you leave with your trainer ask to see their truck. If it is a disaster you might want to think twice about riding with them for a month! Don't feel like you are forced to go with a particular trainer. If you feel from the get go that it isn't going to work then speak up and find someone else. The company isn't going to penalize you for it. Now get packin! Oh yeah, I switched text, is this a little better?

 

Congrats Chris!!!!!!!! whooo hoooo!!!

ya better keep posting on your next adventure though!!!!!

 

Ok...OK...LOL (for you too chompi) Here's what I know thus far.

Since I graduated an PTDI school, orientation is just 10 days. "When" I make through that I get a TRUCK. I just verified with Vern that we'll meet in Sayerville NJ at the terminal Sunday morning and then ride to Conover NC where they will provide the motel for the 10 days.

I was told to bring just the things I need like clothes, bedding and personal hygiene items for now in the event they assign me a truck in NC. The tools and other "personal hardware" can wait as I was told they'll dispatch my first load(s) back to the NJ terminal where I can then go home and get all that.

So......the 10 day plan as laid out by their paperwork....

Class Schedule .....................................Practical Schedule

Day 1 Company orientation .......................Throttle control
.........Equipment orientation .....................Shifting practice (in yard)
.........Shifting lesson ...............................Backing practice & eval.

Day 2 Review shiffting lesson .....................Check Ride #1
.........Backing lesson ................................Equipment familiarization
.........Mountain operation lesson ................Shifting Practice
.........Backing Evaluation

Day 3 Log recap training ............................Trip envelope exercise
.........W/S Logbook standards ....................Log exercise
.........Trip envelope / CDR lesson ................Shop breif
.........Billing brief
.........Maintenance procedure lesson

Day 4 Routing/Trip planning lesson ...............Check ride #2
.........Hazaerdous material lesson ................(City Operations)

Day 5 Winter driving lesson .........................Tire chaining
.........Accident / Claim orientation ................Backing evaluation
.........Dispatch visit / Voice mail lesson
.........Qualcomm Training

Day 6/7 Loading lesson ...............................Check ride #3
...........Collections / COD'S .........................(Mountain shifting lesson)
...........Licensing / Permitting Lesson
...........Canadian Operations Lesson

Day 8 Collision Avoidance Presentation
.........Benefits Presentation
.........Payroll / Bonus Program
.........Test / Written Exercise Reviews
.........Qualification record review & Signatures

Now the sheet doesn't have a day 9 and 10? Perhaps a "Relax and BREATH" session?.....LOL Or maybe a 2 day..."let's see if we can find a truck for you" time?

So I figure once orientation begins I should maybe start my own W/S thread? I'd actually like to keep it here as I think this thread is a great one but if my buddy ORG goes with another carrier, it "may" tend to get confusing. Perhaps we can just link to each other's thread in our signature or something.

EDIT: OH MAN!!! All that TWO column typing and the format was lost?? DARN!!! LOL Have to use the dots....LOL