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

before trucking I drove the big moving trucks, pulled boats and trailers etc, none of it actually prepared for the trucking world.....its a LOT different. I would drive a big box truck with a trailer in a major city all day long and it would be much much easier...

every foot makes a difference, there are places a daycab can turn into, back etc but my sleeper makes it a whole other story and that is only a matter of a few extra feet.

 

I'm sad? That's funny. You are the one saying "how tough can it be? I drove a 24' rental pulling my car". Have fun with your trucking career. Something tells me we will be seeing your antics on youtube.

 

dennis, a lot of people on internet forums in general tend to be negative or just want to brag about themselves about things that probably aren't true. I'd even say that possibly most of them register accounts mainly for those reasons; they use it as a channel to vent their anger, frustration, insecurities, etc. Not saying that's SLANT6's case but you never really know because it's online.

I never received any actual training so I didn't really get any time to figure out when I was ready to go solo. I rode in the truck with a co-worker who I could hardly understand (Spanish speaker) for about a week and a half and then they told me I'd be on my own. Just take your time and always try to do the safest thing when faced with a decision. If it means you have to run late then so be it; it just isn't worth rushing. And you will have plenty of questions regarding many topics like driving, backing, securing loads, laws and regs, etc. Don't be afraid to ask someone if you're unsure. Drop any ego (not saying you personaly have one) you may have when it comes to this type of work because one small mistake could be costly!

 

To be honest,in a short training program youll learn just enough to get yourself killed. 80,000 lb rig 70 ft long is nothing to compare to driving a car.Take the longest training you can find,youll be glad you did. For your safety and every one else on the road.Theres a lot to deal with Everyday, steep mountain grades with snow,ice. WIND GUSTS, uneven roads,low bridges,rush hour traffic,rain,shifting. Its a lifestyle not really a job.

 

I did an 18 day course of I think it was around 10 hours a day then I went on the road for 240 hours.....sometimes I think that wasnt enough even though it felt like a long time. You learn things all the time, heck I still learn new things often.

I agree there are a lot of negative people on the forum, some give good advice though and lack the sugar coating.

 

as far as I am concern your training is for a lifetime you never stopped learning you adjust to changes but not everyday will always be the same the day you believe you know everything will be the day you make the misatakes and in the bussines we are in the mistakes could be costly...