New student here

Look me up if you have any log questions. Usually you find me in the regulations forumn

 

Good luck Jimbomaz, I think you will really enjoy your new career, especially once you get your wife rolling with you. The first three months can be a little rough(riding with a trainer) but just remember to have patience and absorb as much info as possible.

 

I hate to burst your bubble, CaptK, but learning how to "handle" the Big truck while in drivin' school is just the TIP of the ice cube.
Many wannaBees and newBees get the "handle" down pretty well while in school. But make NO mistake, drivin' schools may TELL y'all what it's really like out there OTR, but that doesn't prepare most for the REALITY of the "lifestyle" they're about to encounter.

Some can, and do, "handle" that lifestyle, or learn to ...... but MANY can't.
With only two weeks into a six week course, it isn't enough time to form an educated expectation. Even after six weeks, and being excited about graduation, you need to realize that that's when the REAL work begins. School often seems like a cake-walk compared to what's ahead and in store for you.

There's a reason why the truckin' industry has such a HIGH turn-over rate. And it isn't because it's too easy.
Oh, the DRIVIN' might be easy, but it's ALL the OTHER stuff that makes it harder than most can imagine.
THAT'S what y'all need to be prepared for.

If you think riding with a trainer, who's there to assist you when you get into certain situations, and you WILL, just wait 'till you're handed the keys to your OWN Big truck, and told
You're on your OWN.

Believe me, there WILL be times you'll WISH you were still with a trainer. However, IF y'all make it a year, or more, you should find it gets easier. But that first year will make or break you.

I suggest that y'all look forward, and relish the time spent with a trainer, and NOT think of it as something bad. A GOOD trainer is there to HELP you learn the ropes.
And the LONGER y'all spend with a trainer, IMO, the BETTER.
Quickie training can lead to disaster.
DON'T be in a hurry to be on your own.

Consider this ---- if you're with a trainer during the summer,
then, comes winter, ............
snow and ice, whiteouts, fog and ever-changing conditions.
Will y'all be ready for that?

On the flip-side of the coin, starting out as a newBee in the winter can, and often does, have a very high pucker factor. You're not only unfamiliar with the Big truck you'll be drivin' --- it'll be compounded with other factors you may never have encountered before, even in a 4-wheeler. But now, you'll be over 70 feet long, and weigh up to 80,000 pounds. Just one SMALL mistake can cause BIG problems, for y'all, as well as the general motoring public --- who don't always cut y'all ANY slack. You'll be required to drive for THEM, as well as yourself.

Good luck & best of success.

 

Good morning Aftershock,

My reply to Jimbomaz was only meant to offer a fellow newbee ( with a similar age and work background as myself ) a little encouragement in getting over the initial hump of a major life change. I can empathize with his current situation, and do know a bit of what he has experienced in his former career. In addition, Jimbo would have to have a very clean background to have been involved in his former business as real estate licensure through the 50 states requires strong background checks, too. This will afford him opportunities with some of the better companies to get a good, clean start.


No ####yness intended or Pollyanna outlooks from me, just a satisfaction that at this early date things are going much better than I would have expected, and that hopefully he would see the same.

Best to all, and no bubble bursted
K

 

I will always be thankful that my CDL schooling and my training took place in Dec, Jan, and Feb. I am only to aware of the "pucker factor" that AfterShock refers to as I recall my first trip south on I-77 in West Virginia while it was snowing. Reminds me of the wisest thing I have heard out here. "You can go too slow around a curve or down a mountain as many times as you want, but you can only go too fast once."

Best Thoughts as you begin your new career.

 

Top 0' the day to you, too, amigo!

Nuthin' wrong with that.
And a nice thing to do.

I'm glad to hear that!

Now, I better understand.
And thank you very much for your explanation, clearing that up.

WhEW!
That puts my mind at ease.
Sounds to me like you'll do fine.
And I wish y'all the best of success.

HeY, Jim --- it ain't ALL bad.

Well, ....... look at it this way, .......
when you're drivin' OTR, you'll STILL be close to home --- about two feet behind you.
Home
Home
On the Road.

They're correct.

I suggest that both of you continue to read and post here for additional information.
Many of us are pullin' for y'all's success.

Likewise!

Thank YOU for sharing your experiences.
Please continue.

 

quote from Aftershock

I suggest that both of you continue to read and post here for additional information.
Many of us are pullin' for y'all's success.


That is absolutely the truth. I lurked for a little while...then joined and starting asking a few questions. 99.9% of the folks here really do want to help as they have a huge, vested interest in how us newbees hit the road.

I've never had a direct converstation with Aftershock until this thread, though I have read AND respect the advise and support on his many posts. You truly do care. Thanks much.

Though he is a self proclaimed BAAAAAAAAAAAD man! lol!

 

sometimes a baaaad man gives good advice ! LOL