Passed TMC's 3-week CDL orient, today I head out for OTR training

Congrats driver. Hopefully you don’t get a trainer that sees you only as a second clock.

 

My advice:

Ask a ton of questions. Always learn from everyone. If you see your trainer doing something different than a flatbed next to you ask why. There’s endless learning in the flatbed world.

Secondly is to never feel pressured to do something way above what you feel is safe.

 

Good deal Farva….. This is the perfect time for you to be out with a trainer . Because you have no winter driving experience having the trainer will reduce your exposure to really bad weather. Years ago when I was there I was a trainer who was concerned on teaching the new driver company securement requirements , tarping, and backing into various situations. I was strong on blind side backing because it can be more difficult then the others but may be your only option some times. One thing to keep in mind...things are going to happen faster with two people working then being by your self in your own truck. When you get to shippers watch what other driver are doing getting ready to load or how they are securing the load after being loaded and putting the tarp on. Ask questions to you trainer every day all the time. Think of questions to ask him. When we pulled into the shipper or receiver I would start talking to the new driver telling him everything I learned in the process of loading/ unloading over the years that reduce foot movement around the truck and unnecessary climbing up/down from the truck. As well as labor saving movements and the reasons why. It will sound funny but you can reduce time and excess movement un hooking bungies and straps without having to ben over thousand times. When your at those shippers you will se drivers doing thing you don't want to do , like throwing a 30' strap over a 2' load and have it stretched out 20' from the side of the trailer. Also for future reference take a picture of the load and the securement so when your buy yourself you can fall back on the photos. They used to have a good motel program for new drivers sitting on the weekend because the trainer went home for the weekend. That will allow you time to replace your food stuffs and do your laundry and have some down time which I feel is important. Make sure when he drops you off you have a pickup time set so you don't have him waiting for you to get ready. While you are out TMC will be contacting you and ask how thing are doing . Any issues let them know. As mentioned in another post The trainer job is to train you, not you help him deliver additional loads or run longer loads for more revenue. One last thought for you... Prior to me working at TMC I was in heavy highway construction for 30+ years. I didn't think anything about how I talked to people and how they thought it was too ruff for them but it was construction talk. You are going to be with him for 5 weeks It will blow by fast and look at the end game you seek and focus on that....Now if he is doing you wrong then let them know. Be safe out there and rooting for you.

 

I definitely want to hear more about your training. Tmc has such high standards for everything I imagine their trainers have to be tight

 

After all that post I forgot the main thing...….The truck is the trainers as will yours be. Treat it with respect keeping it clean inside and follow his request as to what he will allow you to do in it.

 

I know they have bunk heaters how about air conditioning for summer

 

Hows training going for you?