TRAINING... How long does it really take ????

I would have to agree with you about 6 months, if it takes someone 6 months they should find another field of work. My family has been in the concrete business for the past 50 yrs and the last 10yrs I was the evaluator for hiring new drivers. Riding with a new potential hire it didn't take long to see their bad driving habits, and it had nothing to do with age. Either you understand how to drive safe or you don't. My son is one the smartest people you will ever meet, has his doctorate in inorganic chemistry from M.I.T. but is as dumb as a rock when it comes to driving. He could riding with a big rig trainer forever and still not get it or even worse be safe for himself and others.

 

Can you fly that Plane in your avatar dennisrock ?
If you can do that, you should get the basics of "Truck driving" down pretty easily, but your not going to know all the real life knowledge like the drivers have learned over the years of course.
I have to assume that a 2 month driver is more knowledgeable than a 1 month driver and a 25 yr driver is more knowledgeable than a 10 yr driver.
Your just asking if its possible to get the truck down the road in a short amount of time right ?
And not asking if you can be "Top trucker" in that same time ?
I have to also assume that a lot of long time drivers on this forum never saw a "trucking school" and were rolling down the road at at a young age with no real training --in fact i know i read it on this site many times in different posts.

 

A few thoughts...

44 years driving means little but 60 or so years of life experience means a lot.

Driving school is to teach you the basics of controlling the vehicle and to pass the test for your license.

Orientation is meant to learn company policies.

Time with a trainer/mentor on the road is to get some experience with someone there to help assist you dealing with shippers, truck stops, trip planning, securement, and basically to evaluate if you what it takes.

The real learning comes once you're on your own.

With all we read about the quality of trainers/mentors the less time with them the better in some cases.

With a good trainer/mentor I guess you could never have too much time but this isn't a hand holding job. Sooner or later you need to go on your own.

If you know the basics of controlling the truck and have the right attitude the amount of time 'training' doesn't need to be long. If you lack the right attitude/mindset no amount of training will be enough.

There is no single thing about this job that is particularly hard but the right combination of ability and attitude is something you have or you don't.

So, while a lot of time with a good trainer would make life easier if you have what it takes it's not necessary IMO. And if you have the right qualities your 60 years of living is definitely an advantage.

 

yep, the sad thing is that most of the time when it does take me more time its an easy back....then I go and do a tight spot in one shot......go figure...

 

Dennis, let me add my $.02 to this discussion. I have been driving "cages" for 52 years and am one week from completing an 8-week community college CDL program. In fact, I tested yesterday and pulled off the trifecta - pre-trip, backing, and road. What I can add to this thread is this: the pure driving side of an 18-wheeler can be learned pretty quickly, but understanding how many things are going on in the cab of that truck while driving in city traffic, navigating turns, cars darting in front of your rig, moving a 70' vehicle from one lane to another or turning that 70' truck around a tight corner without creating a mess of traffic, etc, etc, cannot be learned quickly! Even though I am now a CDL holder, I don't feel qualified to go out and run the roads as a solo driver. In fact, I am awed by the amount of information yet to be absorbed when it comes to the industry itself. Dealing with shippers/receivers, DMs, weather and all the other things drivers have to deal with is yet to come. So, yes, your years of driving a car (or other non-semi vehicle) will surely help, it gives you only the basics of what you need to know to become a truck driver that is competent, safe, and able to perform daily behind the wheel.

Now, having said that, I don't think having to be with a trainer for 6 months is absolutely necessary (sorry JohnBoy!), I also don't think a 3-4 week CDL mill school and a couple of weeks with a trainer is adequate! Keep digging around in the forum and you will soon have a pretty good grasp on some of the things you need to consider before making a final decision of whether to pursue trucking or not.