Will they let me train with...?

If you get a good trainer then music and stories are left in the yard. Opposite sex trainers will most likely not happen. To be totally honest with you, you do not sound like you really want to drive a truck. It sounds more like you want to party going down the road. You're picking the wrong career if that is the facts. In this business you can be locked up for serious time if you not careful. You kill someone and they prove you were rockin out or not paying attention to the job you're guilty and it will effect the rest of your life. This industry has become very serious and you've got to know your stuff.

Maybe now you'll rethink having a trainer. Just to help you along a very good trainer is what you need. It's time to learn what it's about and you've got to pay attention. A good trainer will teach you the truck and how to drive defensively (it's much different than a car). They should show all they know from past good experiences. After the trainer is done you should be able to take a truck out on the road. You should be safe enough to do the job and learn all you can. What I did is try to better myself from the day before. It's just a little game I kept to myself and I started doing that when I first started and still did it until the day I retired. BTW I, just like the others, have plenty of stories to tell but there's a time and place for everything. Good luck and I hope you have seen a little light and if you did then there's hope.

 

Which company are you considering? Policies vary. Make some phone calls before making a commitment.

 

GasHauler I think I understand what Gio is intending. Most of these training companies have a policy where you're out from 6-8 weeks with a total stranger, the worst thing that can happen is being with somebody who is the total opposite of you philosophically.

 

My answer to this question would be to ask the recruiter of the company you intend to go to work for. Some have older trainers, some might even put you with an opposite sex trainer. Most just put you with whoever they have available at the time you are to begin your training. Never hurts to ask though? Good Luck!

 

In most cases a company will accommodate your request for a male or female trainer, smoking or non-smoking. However, there are no guarantees. If you are very particular in this regard you may wait a while before being successfully assigned a trainer.

 

Varies by company. For example Swift asks two questions. First is smoking, nonsmoking, or first avail. Second was for females only. Female or first avail. Guys were always given guy trainers. Now the go thing is Swift had no problem getting me another trainer when I asked for one. Only question asked was how many hours I had left that week.

-Steven

 

Check with your prospective carrier. I was a Swift trainer for 3 years and had a pretty good mix of students (young and old, male and female). The only thing they were particular about was smoking or non.

Also, I can tell you most companies give their trainers (and students) the option to return the student to the nearest terminal if there's a serious issue (ie y'all cannot get along or there's a safety issue). If you get assigned someone you don't like, first suck it up as it's only a short period of time... If that won't work let the company know and they SHOULD take care of it for you.

 

OP, the big question is will you get a trainer with more experience than yourself?