Learning on an automatic... Worth it?

I agree this is best but I learnt with 4:1 and in some ways that is good too since you can watch others and learn from it as well, the real true training is once you get on the road not in that controlled setting.

 

Driving off road like oil fields there probably very few autos and you won't be float'n gears on a haul road pulling a 10% grade loaded. The 2 ways to get the job over the other guy. Make that manual sound like an auto and be able to maneuver in tight spots.

 

One on one is over rated and IMHO less stressful on the student drivers. If I have one student in the truck, who does he/she have to compare their skills to? It is always best to have a least two and maybe even three involved as watching others helps immensely in setting up a real learning environment with REAL peers and they have each other to support and share the process with.

 

There you go. Sounds like a good job to start. Dock work is good to. I prefer dock work over driving. It will help you learn how to load and handle freight. Fork lift experience too. Good luck. Stay safe.

 

Are you getting into trucking for a job or a career?

There's a huge difference.

If you're gonna take the time and money to begin with I'd recommend not getting into this half-assed and doing things the right way, learning the right way. It's more beneficial and worth it in the long run.

 

I have taught both ways and I strongly disagree. I feel the biggest reason to put more than one student with an instructor is to increase revenue for the school. There is no need for students to compare themselves with other students in shifting abitilty. That is one job of the instructor to correct and encourage where needed. Students are some times crule to the ones that are having a hard time with the process. One on one eliminates issues of that nature.

 

I think your plan for the weekend training is excellent, you will learn and reapply your skills over a longer period of time , in the end you will most likely be a better operator than some of the driver mills put out , not to mention sounds like , you will have no debt and not beholden / servitude to anyone , if the company that hires you has a reembursment program that's OK if they don't that's OK also , sounds like you are attempting to do it " the American way " good job and good luck...