Taking The Leap into trucking, what should I ask the school rep?

How much time will you get in the truck.

Some of these schools you stand in line with 10 people for 2 hours for 10 minutes in the truck.

Same with road time. I had maybe 2 hours total road time, and about the same total backing and was sitting next to the state tester.

I passed, about half the people didn't.

 

wow...i thought i teached you better than this....

questions to ask, well for a 160 hour class, there ain't that many.

the class will be a crash course (no pun intended), so there will not be too many things being taught, like drop and hook. oh, they may demonstrate it, but for the entire class to do it, i am not thinking so.

you " should" get 1 hour road time each time you go out.

i think a 160 hr course is like 4 weeks, @ 8 hours per day

classroom will be (or should be) about 3 to 4 days, the 5th day, you go for your permit, get all the endorsements you can for the money they are getting now.

you can apply for hazmat (if you want that) at a later time.

the following week, you should be learning the brake test, pre-trips and "some" backing skills", but remember, your time is very short.

i think backing maneuvers will be "taught" on say a monday, you practice all day, then maybe tuesday, and get tested tuesday.

wednesday, another maneuver, 2 days, get tested maybe friday.

the following wek, same thing split skills backing, tested again.

not knowing the school you are going to, they may or may not have recruiters show up...this is good for the full time class, they can spare that time, you can't, but you still wanna hear the typical BS rhetoric.

in between the backing skills, you will be doing road time, (at least) ONE hour each time, but NOT an exact one hour, could be 45 minutes, at best.

let us know your progress........

sheesh..........another super trucker, coming out here...........

darned baby boomers.....

 

Your road test should, and most likely will consist of a booby trap railway crossing.

You never shift going over a rail crossing. Even if you gotta leave it in second to get clear.

Remember this post.

 

Maybe they changed it: I went to Allstate originally for my B, then went back a few years later n upgraded to an A. Both times were “refresher” courses (8-16 hour total course time to polish maneuvers). Both were not one on one.
What they tell you when you call/ talk to the guy in the office is what makes the sale. Doesn’t mean it goes down that way when the rubber meets the road.

Good luck.

 

Not sure if it is still the same as when i took mine but shifting in a corner ( like making a turn at an intersection) was also a big no no.
Same idea finish the turn in what ever gear you start out in and don’t shift till your straight again.
Believe me it feels awkward and counter intuitive and probably the last time you will do it is on your road test if you pass.

 

Check these two flatbed companies for 48 states & Canada runs:
System Transport - tuition reimbursement
Jones Bros. Trucking - Missoula, Montana

 

As far as career goal. I love my van. If I didn't do van I'd get into hauling fuel.

If you like pain, start doing refer or flatbed.

 

I think that's about it. Be prepared to not feel like you are ready when it comes times for the testing. That just how it is. you just need to minimally past the tests and then it's "not their problem". Same thing if you went to a Mega Carrier with in-house training.

I would just advise not working for any company that already has a "CDL training program". you already paid that price.

Some of them make claims of "job placement" after training... Forget that, don't worry about it. they will want to send you to Werner or something. Anyone that comes into class and gives a speech about wanting to hire you? forget about them... That will at least keep you in the middle ground .