10 orientation and you get a truck

Think of orientation as a LONG interview. Wear decent clothes, keep yourself well groomed, follow all of their instructions, don't lie about anything and conduct yourself as a professional at all times. This applies even when your "off-duty" back at your motel. You never know who may be watching you.

 

I am in La Quinta Inn in Lakeland Fl. and will start orientation at Werner tomorrow.Was told that after Fri and Sat orientation there is a good chance I will get a trainer on Sunday and be on my way to 300 hours. I am a little nervous but will keep you guys and girls appraised on my adventure. Wish me luck!

 

Ummmmm? I've never heard of an orientation lasting for 10 days. Nor a training period as short as 10 days.

I'm confused as to what you mean here. Do you mean you will be in a truck with a trainer for 10 days? Or do you mean you will be sitting in a meeting room learning about the company rules regs etc for 10 days. Or will this be a combination of both.

For what it is worth, my first OTR job was for a small company. I was right out of school, they sent me out for one overnight run with a trainer, then put me out on my own.

I don't recommend this for anybody. You learn the hard way, and sometimes the expensive way.

 

"Ummmmm? I've never heard of an orientation lasting for 10 days."

TMC's orientation is 2 weeks. 1 week for experienced driviers. 3 days for experienced flatbedders. last company I worked for had a one day orientation. I worked for another one that had NO orientation. I filled out some paperwork and they handed me the keys to a brand new volvo condo that had never been hooked to a trailer and off I went.

 

OK, thanks Chief. This isn't the only thing I've never heard of, so thanks for the reply.

Yeah, that's a lot to learn in a very short time. Good luck!

 

I assume you already went to a school to get your license?

My orientation/training run totaled 10.5 days. 7 days over two weeks with a trainer and 3.5 days in the 'classroom'. Yep, a lot to learn in a short time but it worked fine for me and I haven't had any expensive lessons. 7 days with someone else in a truck was enough for me anyway

The way I see it that's enough time for them to figure out if you can handle the truck safely and if you have the right temperament to deal with stuff. No matter how much time you spend with a trainer you'll never encounter every situation. No matter how long you spend with a trainer the first time out solo is going to be the real test.

The important thing is to know what you don't know and to know where to find the answers.

My theory is that not everyone is cut out for this job. You can't teach common sense. It doesn't take very long to determine if a person has the right qualities and if they do them send them out, if not then don't.