Hello from Heather and Shannon

Welcome.

I'm pretty new to trucking, only been solo since March, but I can offer what I have gathered so far. I work for Swift so I went through the "CDL mill" of a large trucking company's in-house training.

Linky here...
http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...3-swift-starting-new-year-training-swift.html

The large truck companies with in-house training will train you to pass your state CDL test only. The actual learning to be a driver starts with a trainer/mentor but that barely scratches the surface. Most of what I have learned has been through trial and error, bumps and bruises, close calls and experience on the road.

Outside of that, this forum has been priceless in both the process of becoming a driver and actually getting on the road. Feel free to ask me anything. I don't have any experience being on the road with a spouse so that aspect is best left to the experts.

 

Here is my opinion on this even though some poeople may disagree . the best way to go about it is go to a college or trucking school to get your cdl . DO NOT !!! go to a company that will train you for your cdl unless you want to be locked into a contract with them . Not to mention make sure you really do your homework and pick a very good well established company that will treat you good and has a good training program with trainer. As you have seen and read on here i would imagine you probally already know there are many liars in this industry that will say anything to get you to sign up.So just really pick the best company that best fits the 2 of you. I have been driving for 12 years and took me 10 to really find a good company to drive for so just be aware on the truth and what a recruiter will tell you and read about companies on the forum and be much easier on you. but there is alot of money to be made in this industry just play your books right dont be lazy run hard be safe and you will land yourself a good career .

 

If money is tight, CRST will train you and team you together, and their CDL school is free if you agree to work for them 8 months after graduation. Pretty good deal; keep your hard earned money in the bank.

 

Like most have said , go to school on your own! Community colleges are some times a great deal, with better results . Keep a good attitude ! Stay true to your selfs. Be prepared , that in training you two will may be split up for weeks.
Also find a good company that will train you two with a same sex trainer. Comfort level is huge, if not comfortable , he/she will not learn well. Best of luck!

 

Yes, I started training in January right after New Years in Idaho. For the 3 weeks I was at the Lewiston, ID Swift Academy it was cold and icy. The first time we drove off the range it was about 6:30 in the morning and the roads were a sheet of ice. I remember being with the trainers and approaching a stop sign at about 5 mph and watching the trailer slide and kick out to one side as we came to a stop. It also helped me to train in the mountains driving the Lewiston Grade and the local mountains. I learned a lot quickly.

I drove on the road right after that (and after orientation) in February with my first mentor/trainer with our first run being over the passes in Washington State, Idaho, Montana all the way out to Indiana. It was a learning experience but I'm glad I trained in the winter with someone seasoned as I wouldn't have wanted to have my first winter on my own. So, yes, I would recommend training in the winter if it's possible and I learned more. I chained up on the road under the supervision of someone experienced. It's not that you have to start your career then but I think it helped.

 

trainers trucks are the same as all the rest....... trainer sits up front with the curtain closed when you are changing..... you do the same so they can change..... most BUT NOT ALL trucks have a curtain for just the upper bunk also...... some may also have a curtain for the lower bunk

remember it's just a curtain so NEVER go to bed with less on than you would want them to see...... if you are sleeping and the trainer is driving (running team) they my need to stop and get something from the back and you may have kicked the cover off when you were sleeping or you both (trainer and you) could be sleeping and 1 of you needs to get up and go to the rest room.... just panties and a t on a trainers truck would not be good......get it..? and the same could be said for the trainer...... this is someone you don't know and you will be living with them in a room the size of your bathroom for 2-4 weeks.......