so many starter companies

I suggest Magnum. From the recruiter on. They are extremely honest. They will train you subjectively. Get you what you need. Then in your own truck. None of them look forward to having to spend time with another guy in the truck. Like I said; very honest.
Won’t make the best the first year. After that, with usual hometime. Expect the sixties.

I think much of the problem with trainers is that they aren’t very intelligent. They think you must have an attitude to concentrate. They try to instill that in you by provoking you to wrath.

 

Veriha Trucking out of Marinette WI does not team drive when a student is training. They are a smaller regional carrier running somewhere in the neighborhood of 250 - 300 trucks. I have been out of the industry for 9 months was all set to be hired by them but failed their "functional capacity evaluation". Translation: they send you to a physical therapy place where you are strapped to a machine which tests the strength in your arms/shoulders and legs. I had a nasty car accident in 2006 which damaged my left knee so that is what caused me to fail. I have already demonstrated I have no physical impairments to prevent me from driving and it seem totally ridiculous to me to disqualify me with the test when your company is 100% "no-touch" freight. Oh well - was hired by another small company and will be driving for them.

 

Some of these companies have some rather ignorant physical tests. Interpreted ignorantly. Comes from ignorant College Degreed individuals in management who will never have a clue.
If hired. You’ll be working for same.

 

I had a trainer that sat in the jump seat the entire time I was driving and we parked at night. He was chatty as heck and drove me nuts, but I learned a lot and was really glad when the month was over. I don't think team driving with a trainer is a good way to go. The trainer should have his eyes on the road with you just in case.

 

Tanker and hazmat before you get the first job. Even if pulling a van. some loads like those big plastic containers of liquids require tanker endorsement.

 

The “trainer” is just another driver in your company. He may or may not be a great teacher. Mine was a funny slacker. Nice guy but not a by-the-book dude. It took me no time to realize his style meant that I was going to succeed and then get my own truck. It turned out he was exactly what I needed. A chill dude.

 

I learned most of the important stuff after getting my own truck. I’m still learning now.

I know I wouldn’t be a good trainer unless it was another chill person as my student. Roll of the dice. I think the trainers get shafted too.

 

Of course you were going to succeed and get your own truck. One look at you and: "Oh no... it's a cat. Won't train like a dog."