How many PTI/Driving hours to pay for to pass?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by LeadFarmer, Dec 20, 2017.

  1. LeadFarmer

    LeadFarmer Light Load Member

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    That's the issue with Uber and part of why I'm moving on to trucking. Why do you think Uber spends millions lobbying against fingerprint based background checks? You don't even have to have any documents checked you literally take a smartphone picture of your license and registration then give a SSN or TIN and boom you're a driver. Many states don't have any safety inspection through the state and Uber doesn't even ask what color your 2001 or older car is in.

    Personally I take pride in whatever work I do and am tired of hustling their game. There's no distinction to the client or reward to me to work safe, clean, and professionally. I've heard about people driving with breathalyzer locks because Uber doesn't require you to self report and only sometimes runs its annual background check. Also anytime an angry client wants they can report you were driving under the influence and Uber turns you off until they've "investigated" which is usually a 48hr hold and a warning not to get reported again. No drug test or anything required. And no they don't tell Lyft, DOT, or anyone else so you can bet that those driver's are still making money and endangering lives while Uber does its minimum legal action as determined by a board of lawyers.

    This breeds and encourages exactly the kind of driver's you'd expect. I wholeheartedly agree that Uber is a premier example of a scum profit first corporation. Like any bad company the driver determines the final standards and whether they want to learn and improve or be a bottom feeder.
     
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  3. LeadFarmer

    LeadFarmer Light Load Member

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    That's what I'm worried about. The school I'm considering most (Jersey Tractor Trailer) said most people went with 20hrs before they added offset and parallel backing and moved up to 30min PTI. Luckily they said they can flex and add hours if I'm failing... Maybe I need some of Charlie Sheen's tiger blood to keep me winning. Until the VD kills me at least
     
  4. gentleroger

    gentleroger Road Train Member

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    From my perspective as a road trainer the guys from 160 hr schools do significantly better on both hard and soft skills.

    That said it really come down to how motivated you are to learn and how well you listen. I would not do anything less then 40 hours, but if you apply yourself that should suffice.

    A word of caution - I've had 3 uber and one taxi driver this year. Only one of the ubers passed my truck. The other 3 thought they knew things - they didn't. They didn't understand that you MUST follow the HOS, MUST secure freight, MUST trip plan, and do the hundred other important things that successful drivers do. One guy got very upset with me because he has friends/family who drive trucks and they don't do all the little things I was making hin do. Remember that whatever you think you know, its less then you think and a fraction of what you need.
     
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  5. LeadFarmer

    LeadFarmer Light Load Member

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    I was never the smart kid at school. I was the kid who did well and always had bags under my eyes. I learn best by waterfall and compartmentalizing. It's why I'm concerned about the driving. Everything else you stated I'm learning through forums and YouTube to kick start me before I go to orientation and meet a trainer to refine/relearn and apply. The thing I can't do jack squat about is driving. I suspect doing air double clutching is only slightly more useful then air guitaring is to helping me audition for Dragon Force.
     
  6. Toomanybikes

    Toomanybikes Road Train Member

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    You don't have to worry about the driver that gets tired of shifting or backing; You have to worry about the trucking company getting tired of your shifting and backing!

    People that come to this industry are always getting thing exactly backwards; You demonstrate exactly that. If you wan't to stay long enough to recoup your training costs, you have to worry about skills like shifting an backing you offer to your employer. The number and cost of backing accidents is probably the first thing that pushes a new driver out of this industry. It is not something to be taken lightly at all.

    Again you have hit on a stereotype that is not exactly true; A lot of drivers exit this industry not because of lifestyle, but because they were forced out due to accidents. I know we all like to make fun of the lifestyle lightweights, but that isn't the full story. Sure it is part of the story, but many, if not most, drivers are excluded from the industry do to accidents. Most of the accidents are indeed backing accidents.

    Some get a hang of the whole thing in the first hour behind the wheel. Others have taken multiple classes, months of company training, daily hand holding, several different trainers, several different mentors, several different training companies, and cannot shift or back a trailer to save their lives. That is the truth. Where you fall in that spectrum IDK.

    While it is possible to get your CDL with no instruction in most states still, it is getting harder all the time to get your first job without and certified schooling. Most consider the 160hour classes to be certified.

    Does that mean 160hour class you will learn more? Will you be able to shift? Can you back a trailer without hitting something? Overwhelming evidence says NO to all those questions!
     
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