A question of timing

Wouldn't it be better to get trained in the worst weather? Then everything else would only get easier. Plus, don't miles slow down in the winter and pick up in the summer? If you trained in the winter, you'd be learning in the worst weather, you would get your own truck in time for the highest potential miles, and you would have the most time to prepare for solo driving in winter weather (next year). Just my thoughts on the subject.

 

I started in the winter and while I was unsure as to how wise that was at the time, I think it was great now. If you get trained in the summer, you don't have anyone there to help coach you through snow and ice driving. Yeah, but I'd have 6 months of experience..... Hogwash! No amount of nice driving miles can teach you what just a month or two with a trainer can about bad weather driving. We encountered a few nasty storms and instead of braving them alone for the first time I had a trainer right there at my side to say "alright, you're gonna have to do this sooner or later so let's get you started now. I'm right here and I won't let you do anything dangerous...." No, those weren't his exact words but you get the point. When the summer rush hits (if your company experiences a summer rush) you'll be comfortably rolling down the road and more importantly, when the next winter hits, you'll be ready to head right into those nasty storms to continue making that money....

 

Last 2 posts had it exactly right. DO NOT WAIT. Having a mentor through Winter is the best time to have your training scheduled. Better to train while the freight volume is slow too. Less pressure to perform and you will get paid a daily amount while you are training rather than being paid by the mile right away.By the time Spring comes around you will have several thousand miles under your belt and be more confident in your abilities. Then when the freight levels start cycling up you will be in a position to take advantage of it. The sooner you get started, the sooner you get through your training, the sooner you will start making some decent money.

 

I finish school the end of November and glad its working out this way so when I do hit winter weather I will have someone with experience to help me through it during my training. Now is the time......Good training time.