Start off in long or short hood?

Schools teach the basics (if that) and the basics are the same in every truck

 

Most carriers have gone with shorter more aerodynamic trucks. It is a matter of economics. They cost less to purchase and burn less fuel than the hoods. Weight is also a factor. Trucks with hoods tend to weigh more than the sloping shorter hoods. There are a few carriers that still run hoods, but more are going with the shorter trucks. I don't think that it makes much difference what you train on. Your experience will come once you are hired and are running for a carrier. If you do get with a carrier who has hoods, you will just need to be more aware of what is in front of you and watch more carefully when backing and running into tight spaces.

 

What newbie companies put drivers in "hoods", the days of the Werner Classics and 379's have passed, you'd be hard pressed to find a new hire company that's going to put any student in anything other than a fairly basic, short hood Freighliner, Volvo, Kenworth, you get the point.......I've driven for over 8 years now and just got with a company who runs International Eagles with "hoods" and external air breathers, it takes a lot of getting used to, way to many blind spots to count, a driver needs to learn the basics and what to look for before getting in to a truck where it's hard to see your surroundings.

 

May Trucking still has some 379's running around




American Trucker

 

At tmc we still run almost all hoods. Mostly 379 short nose, some long nose, a few 388. Also have some aero 387s.

 

Most schools and training companies will train new drivers on the type of equipment that they are most likely to drive when they get into the workplace. That is usually not something with a long hood. I would not worry about the hood.

 

The short nose 379's and 387's are not considered "Hood" trucks. The "hood" trucks were the long nose petes, classic xl's, the 9900 Cornbinders and whatever Western star put out.

 

I forgot the w9's