Graduated truck driving school through community college nervous , company training !

Sometimes it's really hard to progress with driving skills with a trainer glaring at you. You would be surprised how fast you learn when solo and how much you know and weren't aware of because of a trainer yakking and talking and preaching to you. That's one reason I like companies such as Watkins-Shepard; they take a new CDL grad and give 10 days orientation and set you free, but you have the option of a trainer for longer if you wish, no big deal.

 

I was a trainer when I was with Swift. I can tell you that just about anyone with a brain is going to be nervous when they start out training. It sounds like your friend has a crappy trainer... you have to expect people just starting out will not be perfect drivers. As far as shifting goes, my guess is the trainer wants to see his student floating the gears rather than double clutching (which is stupid). You can always double clutch but you can't always float the gears.


The best thing you can do is keep a cool head, ask a lot of questions and pay attention to detail. Make sure you pay attention to EVERY sign (it'll keep you out of trouble) and always assume the other guy in the next lane is about to do something stupid... if they do you'll be prepared and if they don't then no worries.

Oh, and try to keep a positive attitude even if you don't agree with your trainer. You'll only have to deal with them for a short period of time and no matter how good a trainer may be he/she can't teach everything... It's just not possible. Some things you'll have to learn on your own. It's just part of the process of becoming a driver. Good luck!

 

i dont know if i could double clutch anymore lol floating up and down is so easy

 

Don't sweat it. You'll screw up repeatedly; expect that, and don't let it get to you. Heck, yesterday I managed to blow a shift in a construction zone on I-40 and had to come to a dead stop to get it out of neutral. The gear Just. Wouldn't. Engage. And I've been driving for nearly a year.

Driving school just got you to the point where you can take a truck out on the road and probably get it back without incident. There's a *lot* more to trucking than driving. Floating the gears is something that will happen in its own time. At first, drive like they taught you in school, since that's what you know, and let your driving style evolve.

 

How many companies did you consider before deciding. Many high paying companies you may not hear about in CDL school.

Melton Truck Lines
Trimac
Builders Transportation Co. (home weekends)
Maverick (home weekends)
Waste Management
Advance Auto Parts

 

Keep a list of companies to use as a backup plan in case your first choice doesn't work out like you need. I was never unemployed more than 24 - 48 hours during my entire career because of a backup plan. Consider a tanker company in the future; good pay and benefits from $55K-$65K and good training for local work hauling fuel or chemicals. Melton drivers make avg. $52K. Best wishes in your new career; don't be nervous.

 

...and keep in mind that CDL has a shelf-life of about six months. After that if you haven't been employed and started driving, most carriers will want you to go back to school for a refresher course.