1 day of riding as passenger and now I'm on my own - no trainer?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Red Barclay Jr, Sep 12, 2026.

  1. Red Barclay Jr

    Red Barclay Jr Bobtail Member

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    Brand new cdl holder and I got hired to haul tomatoes. I had 1 day of orientation in the office and 1 day of sitting in the passenger seat. Now I'm out here on my own. Is this common? I've read that all the mega carriers put new drivers with a trainer for an extended period. It feels crazy that anyone would trust a greenhorn with a truck. Anyone else just get tossed into it?
     
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  3. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Do you work for Morning Star?
     
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  4. Red Barclay Jr

    Red Barclay Jr Bobtail Member

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    Close. One of the other companies in the area.
     
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  5. Jamie01

    Jamie01 Light Load Member

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    That seems brief, unless it's a very predictable job that has you doing exactly the same thing in the same places every day. In that case, it only takes a day as a ride along to see it all.
     
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  6. Toomanybikes

    Toomanybikes Road Train Member

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    Welcome to the real world.

    You should be glad you didn't get the cattle prod. treatment.

    My opinion is the one day orientation and the one day passenger's seat is too much wasted time. As a licensed driver you should be ready for work day one, but some of these sensitive types now days feel they need the hand holding.
     
    W923, Badmon, Oldman83 and 5 others Thank this.
  7. HaglerFan

    HaglerFan Light Load Member

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    Yup, and a road full of 12'6" overpasses.
     
  8. TheLoadOut

    TheLoadOut Road Train Member

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    Must be a shortage of ketchup and spaghetti sauce we're not aware of
     
  9. azheavyduty

    azheavyduty Medium Load Member

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    1980. At DMV 8am on my 18th birthday, hauling sugar beets before noon.
     
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  10. Sons Hero

    Sons Hero Road Train Member

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    congratulations, that’s the way it should be to get started. Don’t worry, you’ll likely make a mistake or two that you will look over your shoulder to make sure nobody saw it, but be careful, and youll do just fine. if anybody comes on here stating that they would never work for an outfit with that, disregard that. They don’t know much. Some of the best drivers on here never went to schooling. Luck in battle
     
    W923, Lonesome, Badmon and 6 others Thank this.
  11. Red Barclay Jr

    Red Barclay Jr Bobtail Member

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    Sep 1, 2026
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    Not if I have anything to say about it.
     
    Deere hunter, Bud A., Lonesome and 3 others Thank this.
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