Rookie right here

And no-touch freight.

 

If you are one of the 50 percent that make it through orientation and school then you will go on the road with what they refer to a a phase 1 trainer for 20,000 miles. After you complete phase 1 training you go back to one of the terminals to upgrade to phase 2. I think it takes 3 days to upgrade. After completion of phase 2 you have to go into a terminal and finish up the training and become solo certified. It is at this point where you get your truck. I am one of the lucky ones that was profitable on the lease. Wouldn't reccomend it though. Just make sure you let them know you want to get back to Fontana for all upgrades.

 

Wow a suspension like that really hurts when it comes to almost every company. If you don't mind me asking how long ago was your licence suspended. We can recommend companies all day long however if we do not know when the suspendsion was assessed we cannot recommend where you can go in the future.

Is the suspendsion the only problem on your MVR? No recent accidents or anything of that sort correct just the suspension? As previously stated no leases I realize you have said you won't but being that you are currently going to CRE do not no matter how long you have to wait for a trainer and a truck sign the lease papers. Many drivers have suffered this fate because of a long wait for a truck never a good idea.

Keep in mind as well try not to be picky about your trainer reduces your wait time for a trainer. No sure on CRE but some companies are good enough if you're a non smoker to pair you with a non smoking trainer and that increases wait time. Or people worry about training with a member of their own sex eh I can understand that actually however it also increases wait times.

Good luck in your new journey. A few tips don't get frustrated and flustered it will not help you be calm cool and collected no matter the situation. Don't let the cars that don't care about their safety or yours get on your nerves. Took me a while to learn that myself however it is something that makes driving more enjoyable just let them go. I can almost guarantee you you will get the finger, you will get cussed out, you will get honked at, just learn to let it go. There will he times when you have to either wait to turn corners or have a car back up so you can complete your turn. I would suggest for at least a few months waiting yes its time off the clock but its better to wait and swing a little wider than take out a light pole.

Being a woman another tip if some big ole hot shot super trucker gets on the radio and stats flipping you #### shut it off. No sense in feeding their ignorance right? If they're trying to start a fight shut the radio off. Its the best way to defuse the situation. I had a super trucker in a Volvo one day rip me up one side and down the other after he forced me onto the shoulder even had the odasity to call me a ####### grain hauler never said a word. Wanted to tell him to meet me at the next trucsktop and have an old back row brawl but its easier (and smarter at my size) to just let it go. Doesn't take a big person to fight takes a smart person to know when to leave well enough alone.

Get used to your limits. When you figure out what they are DO NOT push them! That's when accidents happen. DO NOT let your dispatcher bully you!!! Learn when to say NO! It is easier said than done at times but its your butt in the seat not theirs. I speak for many drivers when I say we have almost all done the stupid things pushing harder than we should to keep a broker dispatcher or customer happy. Is it smart HELL NO! do most of us regret it of course.

Do a pretrip every day be throurough when doing your pretrip. When you get up in the morning and get out of your truck crawl under and check to make sure some ####### didn't pull the release handle on your 5th wheel yes this does happen yes its pathetic however what is even more pathetic is checking everything off on your DVIR and pulling out and dropping your trailer. Thump your tires EVERY TIME you stop, always do a walk around when you're getting fuel and check your truck out. Walk around it look for leaks or any possible problems. Its a lot easier to pull off park and get road service out there and get it fixed than to do it on the side of the road! Cheaper too! When you fuel wash your windows! It takes about 15 minutes to fuel your truck and another 30 sitting there waiting for the other person to pull out of your way so you can pull up you have time use it!

Being that you're going to reefer always check your reefer fuel when you stop. Run that sob out of fuel once and you will never do it again after jacking off that fuel pump for about 15 minutes to get fuel back up to the rail.

What else can I think of...not much off the top of my head right now kinda tired though sure I'll think of something by morning. I hope this has helped you out a little bit. Good luck in your journey I wish you the best. Trucking ain't easy by any means but keep a positive attitude and keep your chin up and you can go a long way. There's times when you will want to quit don't! Keep pushing through if you truly want to make a career in trucking its what you will have to do. Doors will open in a few years for you when your record cleans up. Keep your nose clean and bide your time. No matter what don't abandon a truck and stick it out with whoever you start with for as long as you possibly can. You won't be home much learn how to live cheap on the road. Stay out of the truck stop restaurant most of the time. 2 times a week max. Rest of the time couple bottles of water couple hot dogs $5 meal and it works. You can coon on the exhaust manifold but that's an expliantion for tomorrow lol. Amazing how that turned into a paragraph. Anyway good luck!!!!

 

Do not hang around the crowd of people that will be there bashing everything about CRE. They are always there. Remember you are there to drive, not get your rocks off. Seen quite a few ladies all of a sudden forget that when they meet the love of their life at orientation. I kept my eyes and ears open and my mouth shut unless it was a safety issue.

 

Does that happen a lot in orientation? I never would even think of trying to date or mess around in any way then. The job interview is from now while they watch these posts all the way until you get the keys to your own truck. Hard to believe that some do not take this serious. I guess they think once they are accepted to go to orientation that they are hired and it's a sure thing for them.

 

Shyne_E_Star,

There was a couple on here named Debbie who fell in love with a guy named Virgil after meeting each other at CRE orientation. They leased a truck together and Debbie got off and lost interest. In order to stay afloat, Virgil had to train students. From what I hear, he was one of few who made it but he basically got screwed by Debbie because she got off and would eventually leave him. There are love stories out there. Just letting you know what can happen when falling in love takes a wrong turn. If you want to read it, contact the mods and ask for GrandmaDebe's posts.

KH

 

Yes there are some "challenges" you will have to overcome and things to watch out for. It is what it is overall its not all bad. Just giving you warnings and what to watch out for. You have the right attitude to start out with and without the right attitude you will fail. I have some stories from my first year. Had a few screw ups never wrecked a truck but did make some mistakes. Ask questions when in doubt fellow drivers are here to help and the forum is here and were always welcome to lend advise or help out when we can. Never be afraid to ask when you're unsure of something. I can help out more with flatbed than reefer but can give advise on handling situations and dealing with being away.

One thing I forgot to mention is get a big mag light. Yea you can use them to see but they have more uses than that. Just Thursday night I couldn't see the lines at the pilot in booneville got out grabbed my flashlight set it on the line and put her where she needed to be. I swear by using a flashlight to help guide and it works. Might not look the most professional but at least I ain't going to be the one getting #####ed at for not being my lines at the truck stop.

 

That is a great idea about using a flashlight. Every little thing you can learn from someone else before it happens to you is why I am here. Thanks again!