Beginning the Long Awaited CDL Process

You know how to bowl? For real, I mean.

 

How to Know Where to Go.

Hello Everyone!

Well, it's graduation day +4. I'm spending my time picking up the odds and ends I'll need when I hit the road. You'll be amazed at what you need. And the top of the list is proper clothing and footwear. If available, I'll purchase company shirts and jackets. I'd much rather wear out those clothes than my personal stuff. So I'm staying busy getting things in order.

I know, I know....What company are you going with?

That's not the purpose of this post.

I want mention something about CDL training using private schools like I attended and knowing where to hire on once your finished.

When you first begin, You'll be nervous and anxious. Everyone is, regardless of how much or little exposure you've had to trucking. Because they have a job to do, which is to get you a CDL license. The school is going to train you........their way. You can't buck the system no matter what, because they don't know what you know. So they must assume you know nothing. Any trucking experience you may possess will only help you succeed more quickly than most.

Your most trying time will be your examination with the inspectors at the motor vehicle department. If you have your backing skills down, if you know your PTI, and can drive that truck safely on the road, you'll pass.

But what happens next? Who do you go with? How much training do I really need?

If you like to figure things out on your own, or you have some previous experience, then a company with a short orientation and training period is just what you want (ie. May Trucking; Watkins and Shepard). There are some who prefer to go it alone and learn from their own mistakes.

But most people want (or need) to continue their training at the company they choose. Over the road company training is valuable, provided it's real training and not just you and your trainer teaming. Look for companies that provide training where the trainer is in that seat next to you.

How long should the training be? Company OTR training can be anywhere from 2 -16 weeks and even more in some cases. It all depends on the company (most training information is available on the company web sites). It sounds like a long time but it will go by faster than you think.

Learning to drive a truck, properly and safely can't happen at any school I know of. They can only teach you the basics of operation. The real learning comes from those who have been there. Don't be afraid to train over the road. If your trainer is a problem, contact your company and complain. It's your right to do so!

Getting through all of your training is mandatory. Nobody gets out of it. But in the end, it's worth it. You'll have your own truck, and then you can let the job itself dictate if the on the road life is for you.

As for me.......well, I'm going to keep you guessing just a little bit longer. But feel free to speculate. Someone might just get lucky and figure it out.

But I am going to take the test for my HAZMAT endorsement this week, so I'll be sure to fill you in.

Thanks for reading.

-Wedge

 

RANDY, I've been to their terminal and it's pretty nice. From what I have read they're a decent company to start with, but I don't know anyone that drives for them. The training is longer than average if memory serves, and the cpm is pretty good for starting out.

They most likely want to keep men training men and women training women for liability issues (IMO). If you contact them, maybe they would let you train Susan. You never know.

I think they would make a great starter company. Keep trying to reach them, don't give up. I have a habit of just showing up at a terminal when I'm interested in a company. How they treat me when I arrive unannounced tells me a lot about an outfit.

Running with Crete would not be a bad decision. I like'em!

 

Hey Sammycat, You changed your avatar! I didn't recognize you at first.

I think that it's important for those that are interested in trucking to understand that training plays a very important role. Some people are natural truck drivers and some are not. If it comes as second nature, you'll need very little guidance as far as driving is concerned. But there's more to it than that.

At school there was a student that was a raw recruit. He had virtually no experience. But in two weeks, he had gone from greenhorn to one of the smoothest drivers I've ever seen. The transformation was staggering. I'm not easily impressed, but this man impressed the heck out of me. He will be an outstanding driver. Of that I have no doubt. The key elements were drive and focus. He was there to learn, and that's just what he did.

But as good as he is, he insists on good company training. He wants to continue learning and that's how it should be. He understands the importance of continued training after you have the CDL.

I will certainly start a thread. I don't want any dust accumulating on my soapbox.

I'm just teasing everyone about the company I'm going to. It's all in good fun.

I've read the threads about what to bring. The goodies I'm picking up right now are mostly clothes. All companies have a list of items they want you to have on board your truck. I have most of that. I can't get too nutty about buying anything (hardware wise) until I see what kind of ride I end up with.

Once I settle in I'll chase down AT and see how he fixed up his truck.