6 weeks with trainer

odd it was 3 days orientation for me. Unsure if new drivers is longer

 

A Ton of milk haulers in that area. Keep pestering them. Watch Craigslist. My company would hire you but your a little far away.

 

..... Never mind. I’m confused with all the different tangents. I thought we were talking about a flatbed apprentice program.

 

In theory yes. In practice though...
What happens is the new driver will get two weeks training at best, and the rest of the time the truck is run as a team truck so no training is actually happening. When something comes up, the trainer is in the bunk asleep.

 

Well, 3 days of classroom, but took two days to get to my trainer so went thru extra training.

 

IMO, in the realm of flatbed training, the most critical part of training is when the truck is stopped and being loaded, secured, unsecured, and unloaded, and how to get the most bang for your buck from any given buffet. Flatbed drivers aren't expected to know how to drive backward or on highways and byways, so this training is as much of a secondary or tertiary exercise as anything. The rest of us make allowance for these drivers, steer clear, and allow them to proceed on their merry way.

 

I imagine they go longer for the high risk guys.

 

Most places throw that number out there but if you know what you’re doing, you may only be with a trainer for 3-4 weeks. Driving a loaded truck around in various situations is a whole lot different than your exposure to it so far. Don’t worry about the time frame and focus on learning. If it takes you 6 weeks, so what? If after that 6 weeks you’re a safe driver, it was worth it.

 

When I was training drivers we did a couple short hauls for their highway experience, no over night ever. Thats just cruel!
Good Luck, maybe you'll luck out on a hot trainer with a handle like Juicy Lucy