Starting school soon

The Salt Lake valley is surrounded on all sides by mountains. When the northern winds pick up it traps all the pollution in the valley. SLC has a lot of industrial industry north west of downtown. That #### fills up in the valley esp in winter months.

It gives you a sore throat and makes you thirsty all the time. Not good for people with respiratory issues

 

I know Henderson also. Lived in Mesquite and Vegas for a while. Colorado City is out that way some where. Another weird place. I’d like to haul some freight out that way. Should be nostalgic

 

Pack light, trainers expect you to not carry much.

Don't smoke weed or even bother coming to orientation if you smoke weed in the last 6 months. If you smoked 9 months ago don't tell them they will just send you home on your own expense.

Try to watch YouTube videos on backing the school is not good at teaching people.

Don't come in broke. You're not getting paid until maybe a month later. And phase 1 and 2 training is #### pay.

Actually read that contract. They extended it to a year for non vets they probably added some things that weren't in my contract.

If you sign that contract COMMITT to it. Don't be like every other idiot that runs to another mega just cause you think they pay better and not finish their term with England. They will try to collect that debt.

If you can't stand your trainer tell management early on. When you change trainers you have to start over. There are exceptions like my situation I am quitting soon so my trainee's driving hours will transfer over to the next trainer. But if the trainee switching trainers by his decision you're going to start over.

If you're lucky and get a good trainer take his advice and tips. Don't let him push you though, if you're tired tell him you're tired he has to find a place to stop for you. Now this is okay the first week because you're adapting but if you keep burning out every day at 5 hours for 2 weeks you're getting out my truck and starting over.

Trucking is going to be intimidating at first but it'll get better. I try taking more scenic routes and letting the trainees take pictures for their family it helps them see some good things about trucking

Your chances of finding a trainer depends on if you're okay if they smoke and your gender, I've heard of females waiting a month for a trainer I've been begged to take a female trainee but I sure as hell won't with the chance of getting a crazy chick ready to claim sexual harassment.

The school is just there to help you get a cdl. The backing tips they teach you rarely work in the real world. Don't feel bad if you're having trouble with backing. Everyone has to start somewhere!

 

With a twelve day ‘training’ program, you’re way underprepared to be running loaded (in my opinion).

Hopefully you have a good trainer, but...no matter what, when you are backing...take your time. Get Out And Look. Seriously...

Good luck.