New graduate OTR training period/time?

That's too short.There is so much you need to know and can't even learn a forth of it with only 1 trip.If it was me i'd be real nervous about it.You say they have above average safety scores,did someone tell you that or did you look up their safety rating?Learning logs alone will be a struggle at first and DOT don't play when it comes to log book violations.You better ask company if you feel youre not ready after 7 days can you have more training.

 

Fresh out of school we make it 2 months with a trainer. 5-7 days is pretty short...

 

It's short, but do able if you are quick on the up take. Being a smaller company you shouldn't be getting lost in the shuffle.

I would ask before you start if it's possible to stay with the trainer another wee, not that you'll need it, but just in case (the more you know). Whatever happens if you aren't comfortable going solo, DOJT GO SOLO.

 

What gentleroger says is true. Do not go solo if you are not comfortable. Even minor incidents, such as backing accidents or minor property damage, can have a huge effect on your career and your future employability in this industry. These things will stick with you forever. Do not let them put you out there if YOU do not feel that you are able to do the job safely. It is your CDL and your career on the line so you must insist on more training if you feel that you need it.

That being said, if they are willing to work with you and provide adequate training, working for a smaller company will probably be preferable to working for driver mill like most of the megas have become.

good luck in whatever decision you make.

 

Its everything,logs,planning,map reading,driving,shifting,backing,finding customers,driving in god awful large cities and not knowing how to deal with all the traffic,driving the mountains, learning your legal weights and how to scale,finding a place to park before you're out of hrs,I can go on and on.One trip or a week with a trainer should be for the veteran drivers who needs a little brushing up not the greenhorns.

 

5- 7 days...lmao.....your being set up to fail...run from this place and go with someone else

 

It all depends on you honestly. I graduated from school, got into hauling cans, had a couple weeks of training and that was it. Learned stuff along the way, still am learning but I'm hauling as good as a seasoned vet (in ports). No incidents at all. Even with 4-6 weeks of training, you're still not even close to covering everything. It's all about you and your comfort level.

 

Think of it this way.

You do a run with the safety guy. He helps you with routing, planning, and spots you backing for 4-5 days.

You come in the next Monday and you are handed a piece of paper that says to grab an empty trailer and head to xxxx shipper to get load number 123. You will probably get the shippers address and a pickup number. Pickup was 0500 in your town. (since that is the only reference I had)
The load is headed to Orlando FL, you need to deliver by 0400 on Thursday morning. No tolls.
Company gave you an open fuel card, so you can fuel as needed.
Receiver does not allow onsite parking, and unload may take up to 4 hours.
Good luck....

So the questions would be.

Does your company have 24 hour dispatch, or is it a 0700-1900 office? Just something to think of, not really needed for route.
Can you make delivery on time?
What route would you take?
At around what area should you be planning to stop each day, so you know you have a place to park.

Are you going to be ok backing into tight parking spaces in truckstops and possibly at he receiver?
Do you know who to call if you have a breakdown or accident?

There are many others, but this is a start.
If you are not comfortable with any of these things, or are not feeling right about any of the physical things you need to do, then you need more training.
Try the route out by the way, could be a learning experience. Let us know your route, and see if anyone has better ideas. I honestly just picked a random delivery location, but so does dispatch lol.