CDL in hand... Now What ? Decision time, that's what...

We had a conference call with the Phase 2 training coordinator this afternoon. Most of us have received the name and truck number of the trainer with whom we will be going OTR. Some may leave as soon as tomorrow, some may not leave until later in the week. My trainer is supposed to be coming through Gary later tomorrow so I will likely be moving into the next phase late Tuesday or early Wednesday. So now it's time to relax, rest up, and be packed and ready to get into high gear.

 

Thank you

 

Thank you

 

'

That's great perpetual! Enough time to relax and pack but not SO much time that you are pacing the floor waiting to go!

Do you know what kind of truck you will be driving?
How long will you be with your trainer one on one? Is it like some companies (Like Swift you need 180 hrs or something like that or maybe that was USX)
What happens when your one on one time is done? Do they just let you loose or is that up to the trainer and you?

 

The trainer's truck will likely be a Freightliner Century or an International ProStar. The flatbed fleet is switching to silver ProStars so there is about a 50-50 shot I will get a new one when I get my own truck.

The phase 2 training is normally 9 to 13 days, although it could be a day less or a few days more. Really depends on how well the trainee does and the recommendation of the trainer.

After the 1:1 OTR training is complete, we take a 50-question written exam and do a road test and a 45-degree backing test. Once those exams are passed, then we are assigned a truck and a load heading in the direction of home. After 4 days off at home we are on the road again.

I will be in the national flatbed fleet, which normally runs 11-14 days out and 3 days home. The longer a driver stays out, the longer the home time. For example, 30 days out, 6 days home. There are other schedules to choose from as well, such as 14/7, 7/7, and 7/4-7/3. In all of these situations, drivers share a tractor.

 

congratulations! and thank you for helpful and informative posts.

 

Thank you

 

Well maybe just cars and trucks. Near Indianapolis now heading south in a rental car with one other trainee. My trainer got diverted to do a relay to Huntsville, AL and the other guy's trainer is also scheduled to be in AL. So it was quick drive in company passenger van to get rental car and then hop on I-65. We should be to a hotel late and then figure out taxi ride to return car and get to the trucks.

The temp is up to 66F and rising. Feels good to be in motion even though it is a car for now. It will be interesting meeting my trainer out on the road rather than at a terminal.

The adventure continues...

 

Good luck Perpetual!

At least you don't have to wait a week to get with your trainer and hopefully you will be on the road quickly!

Just remember: the learing is JUST starting!!

 

Perpetual ...thanks for the insight on what newbies go through and to have some kinda idea of what to expect ..