Old guy wants good training with experianced mentor WITHOUT having to "roll-the-dice"

Hello all,
I'm 48 years old; I'm Army retired; I want to travel; and I want to earn some extra income. Logical choice for me is to get into long-haul trucking, or at least give it a try right?

So 2 years ago I get my CDL, get hired on with Swift, and eventually get hooked up with this 20 year old who has a grand total of 6-7 months driving? At the time I didn't realize just how inexperienced he was (I mean I'm not stupid, but everything was new and exciting and; did I mention new and exciting), but now I can really see that he didn't know or teach me anything.. here's an example: On my very first load, the first day for crying out loud, my "trainer" manages to somehow show up with ZERO hours left on his HOS log. How in the world does a trainer manage to start off his training with a inexperienced trainee without being able to take over the driving if necessary?!

So the truck is all mine; I feel confident I can handle it and anything that comes my way (giving it that ol Army huraa spirit - I kid), so I back in to hook up the trailer; it's night; it's dark; I'm slightly nervous/excited and... I almost run the back of the freak'n tractor into the front of the trailer. Yes, you got it... the trailer was jacked high enough that the kingpin cleared the skid-plate. No advice from the "trainer" telling me to get out; look; remember to align the drive tires with the front of the trailer, etc, etc. And of course it's my fault for not doing what I was trained to do, which I completely accept. BUT, I think a well experienced driver... a "trainer of young men" such as myself, should be; and I say delicately, should be able to throw out reminders, suggestions... dare I say, warnings?

Let me just say that initial... Pow! - Holy crap! - What the hell am I doing! experience set me off to a really bad start; which led to a really bad night (7 stops in the big city of Phoenix, AZ - rush hour - you name it). He thought this would be a good way to start my training; and actually I agreed because I didn't want to just sit behind the wheel for 500 miles - if only I had known (It's good to start slow) and if only he had a few hours available on his HOS.

Me: "Hey, can you take over for a bit? I'm really...really stressing out here and I need help". Trainer: Nope, sorry I can't drive because I don't have any hours available on my log, and by the way... we're late so step on it!" (true). I think I came very close to a nervous breakdown that night, no s###.

Ultimately in the end, other issues kept me from completing my training... another long story, but basically I found out I had a brain tumor, went through a 9 hour - successful - surgery and had a long depressing recovery and now 2 years later, I've been wanting to get back into the trucking, worked out my medical issues, clean physical and new medical card And sooo....

My question (finally) is this:
Can I get driving experience without getting hired and going through a training program from Swift or CR England or similar company?
Is it possible to; say look for a specific, experienced, trainer on this or other websites for example; get to know that person and then train with him/her? Like putting out an ad... "New driver seeking..." and then get hired on with a company?
I think I understand that for example an owner operator will hire a driver and train him/her? Is this true?

Look, Honestly - all joking aside, I think I'm just concerned (and the horror stories don't help - even my own experience) that I'm going to run into that filthy, disgusting, in-experienced, disrespectful trainer, who ONLY cares about getting paid! With that said, I KNOW there are many of you.. the experienced trainer; a helpful, respectful, caring (and clean) veteran of many miles are out there! And I just want to increase my odds of finding someone who really wants to help and train new drivers. Just don't know where to look - Where the hell are you!! - I kid... again.

So, that's my simple question. Hope you enjoyed reading this long, long post. If you've gotten this far that is.
Hoping for a lot of responses and advice. Happy holidays to everyone!
Bobby M.

 

Thanks 2wildT, two cents well spent!

 

Thanks dogchimp - love that handle by the way . The thing is.. do i have to get hired on with a company first in order to get training or can I hook up with an experienced driver, get the miles I need and then look for a company to join?