Trainers

No matter what you do. When you're in the drivers seat you're in charge. You know the rules so you make the calls. The company I started at and I'm still with doesn't have a training program. I got a 1 hr crash course in loading,driving, and unloading. They usually only hire experienced drivers. But I got on with this small tanker outfit. Anyway my dispatcher was with me as we're bringing a load of corn oil back to the yard. I'm descending a hill and he turns the Jake brake off, he said it made his ears hurt and it wasn't a very steep hill. I reached over and turned it back on and said when you drive you can do what you want. But don't ever touch the controls when I'm driving please.

 

To be fair to the OP - CDL school gets you very few road miles, and none of them at night. The company I trained with did have a daylight only curfew up to so many hours driving before night driving was permitted. It's not a bad idea. New drivers will get their night hours from being on their trainer's truck 275 hours. It's a little harsh to rag on a driver with a brand new license for wanting to get used to handling 70 feet of vehicle in well illuminated conditions. CDL schools have one goal: get the student through the tests. It really is the job of the trainer to teach a new driver how to drive in the real world.

 

Not sure if anyone mentioned but he's got his license. There's no reason to go back to swift to finish "training" as that training only applies to swift. Go with another company, do their training. First six months most any company is going to require their "training" version of things.

Go to big pumpkin. Why not? Trust me, it's way better than swift. And otr just got a raise here, 44cpm after a year for me. Not that shabby for pulling a box

Oh. And the training here is three weeks but only one week is out on the road with a trainer. If you've already done some, unless you want someone else there while you team drive and get no help anyway, it's not the worst thing out there

 

I recommend he call West Side Transport. They have trainers. He will start with a $1000 a week pay commitment when he gets his own truck if he wants OTR. Skip the mega carrier screwing.