I failed my cdl test today....

comgrats, that was the easy part

 

It's not uncommon for a driver to switch trainers. It's no big deal if you guys don't mesh. It is a big deal however to get out on the road and not know what you are doing. Could cost you a lot of money and even your well being! Especially this time of year. Have you ever driven over the mountains in a blizzard with 80,000lbs behind you? Are you comfortable driving through LA traffic? Are you prepared to make a wrong turn in Chicago and come to a low bridge? All these are very important but also still haven' t gotten into making money and such. Have faith in me when I tell you not to do it without having gone with a trainer. I went down that road when I first started. The time you are with a trainer goes by so fast you will wish you were them longer. At the very least you do not want to be wondering around the country trying to figure it all out while not making any money. Do you want to make $15,000 this year or $40,000? Ask some other experienced drivers on here or better yet maybe start a thread on this topic. Any experienced driver can spot a newbie who hasn't had a trainer from mile away.

 

Those are great valid points and scenarios I can't argue with...Is there some safety and accident statistics I can see that will help me make a decision on their program?...It's hard for me to get away from the "if others have done it and done well, so can I"(or try and if I feel that I'm over my head, switch companies)...My initial, uneducated, thought is that they do ok, or average, or they would have discontinued the program had people been dying or having accidents in disproportionate numbers compared to other companies...I would think they'd have trouble finding insurance...

 

Congrats Man! Can't wait to get myself going in a couple months. I think the tester was trying to through you off to see if you REALLY had it down. Sounds good any way. I would get a trainer just because I don't want to crash on a mountain side.

 

First off everyone's story is different and that's also what mostly comes out of drivers mouths, stories! I know who you are thinking about (Chralb) if he is doing as well as he says he is definitely an exception. I am not sure where to look up company safety record but are other drivers deaths going to be the decision maker for you? Riding with a trainer is really not that big of a deal and it goes by fast. A trainer is not going to keep you from crashing, or not making money etc... They are going to provide you with some invaluable knowledge though. Trucking schools are there to teach you the basics and get you ready for training. Trust me when I tell you, you are going to regret not going with a qualified trainer and you are going to find yourself in situations and really wish you had. I did! You will think of me though. If you are absolutely dead set on not going with a trainer then I would at least wait until springtime. You do know the main terminal for WS is in Montana right? Good luck to you, I wish you the best and would really like to see you succeed, make money and enjoy trucking.

 

http://safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/

Look at "Company Snapshot" or "SafeState Online" as a start...

 

Congratulations, walstib! You done good. :smt023

 

Look them up........ http://safer.fmcsa.dot.gov/CompanySnapshot.aspx

 

Good Job. Now for the fun part.

 

Dang it you beat me to it.........I guess I owe you a Coke...lol