Training a inexperienced driver

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by CastleNut, Jul 9, 2022.

  1. lual

    lual Road Train Member

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    @CastleNut --

    Some (other) things to be aware of...& think about.....before you get heavy into the CDL world:

    1) Regardless of the carrier you drive for--you will work with 2 clocks every day:

    One is an 11-hour clock (for driving).

    The other is a 14-hour clock (for being on duty).

    Thus--if you're an astute observer at all--you will quickly see/deduce from these 2 clocks that the vast majority of CDL driving jobs involve A LOT OF HOURS. o_O

    Best to come to terms with the above--before investing a lot of time into the CDL world. Most people don't realize this--until it's too late.

    2) Despite all of the bad-mouthing on the major (the so called, "mega-carriers") fleets--starting out as a new driver with one of the mega-carriers offers many advantages to a new(er) driver that you won't get with a smaller fleet.

    The takeaway? Don't completely rule out beginning with one of the megas--Swift or Knight, are examples.

    3) Trucking is not just a job--it's also a lifestyle. You will spend a lot of time on the road, and a lot of that will be by yourself (and "team" driving is NOT a good solution for this problem). Most people can't hack this--but many who do (myself included) love it. If you require a lot of companionship--think long and hard before investing. Also--truck drivers have to solve problems (in many cases) pretty much on their own--many of which require solutions that don't allow time for consulting with others back at the terminal or home office. To help get around this--some companies offer a "mentor" program for new drivers.

    4) If you make it to a company orientation, and later go out on the road with a trainer for your training period--the odds are pretty good that your trainer will suck! Get ready for this (and yes, mine did, too)! You will be in a "sleeper" cab tractor with a trainer for probably 3-4 weeks (that seems to be the industry average); some training periods are longer, & some are shorter (Schneider's is only about a week). If you do actually get a truly good trainer--congratulations! You have beaten the odds....:):D This period is viewed by many as the very hardest part of being a new driver. But...in truth....that first year to 18 months of CDL driving is pretty tough, anyway.

    --Lual
     
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