Help and advice for becoming a truck driver?

In my opinion, I would go with some kind of truck driving school that offers job placement. I went with a school, and now have a job driving local. As for double clutching. It can be extremely frustrating at first, but I never met anyone that couldn't get it down after a few hours of practice. Most of the people I helped train on trucks would grind the crap out of their first few gears, but I did meet two student drivers that got it down right away. Doesn't matter what kind of learner you are as long as you don't let your frustration turn into discouragement. According to many training manuals I read, a fully loaded truck traveling at highway speeds will take 280 feet to 320 feet to come to a complete stop (about the length of a football field). Supposedly, an empty truck/trailer will take three times as long cause air brakes work better on fully loaded vehicles due to the increased traction/friction. I want someone to correct me on this if I am wrong. If you are serious about trucking, your best bet is to start studying a state CDL manual and start browsing the different blogs on this forum to give you a general idea on what you are getting yourself into.

 

Good advice.
i'd look into a community college. Much cheaper and through

 

I just finished my truck school in Mi got financed passed my road test and got my cdl, i have a phone interview in a few hrs 10am tuesday with Schneider, they will pay up to 6k for tuition reimbursement.

 

And as for double clutching i found it not hard at all no problems for me, but downshifting at first lots of grinding, just had to keep rpms up ans after a few times doing it i pretty much have no problems downshifting, you will do fine and good luck.

 

Dont sign your life away at one of these companies. Find a local school and go that route. Most companies will pay you back once you start driving for them and you can pay your loan off that way

 

Look into Con-way Truckload before committing to a school. With their program, if they make you an offer, they register you in one of their approved schools. You finish, go to probably Joplin, MO or Detroit for orientation, then out with a trainer/finisher. Paid .26 per mile with the finisher, do 3 to 4 weeks and get your own truck at .30 per mile. You will be at .37 by the end of the first year.

When you drop your first load in YOUR truck, all but about $1500 of your schooling is paid off...no commitments for a year, no deductions from your paycheck, no bs.

If you are a VET, ask about the VET Apprentice Program. It may be better than the one I mentioned above.

Good Luck!

RR