training period

I know there's a few members here who went to Watkins Shepard where there is little or no training time. I imagine a lot of the smaller companies don't spend months on it either.

I guess it depends on the person. I had a short time with a 'trainer' and that was more than enough. A week in a pretty small space with another guy couldn't have ended quick enough. And I got along fine with him.

The way I see it, the most important things can't be taught. It seems some of the mega's disagree with me and spend months working away at the edges of a square peg. They may get it shaped enough to force it into that round hole but it will never really be a good fit.

 

As far as the CPAP goes, it is not a disqualifier at all. I just went through a DOT physical and got flagged as being at risk of Sleep Apnia. Essentially within 90 days I will have to return to the yard and take a sleep study. If I need the machine, I'll get the machine. As someone else mentioned it will have a card that the Co. will check when I am back in the yard to verify I have been using it. Shouldn't be an issue.

As for time with a trainer goes, whether it is necessary or not, it depends on you. Most CDL Schools teach you enough to get your CDL. Most Companies realize this and require a certain amount of training to make sure you can safely operate their equipment they have quite a bit of money invested in.

You will have your Super Truckers that feel they do not need nay more training than what they got in school, but the reality is that you will learn a lot from a trainer, that actually trains.

I have not driven a truck in 27 years. I am currently in school, will graduate in a week. I will then go out with a trainer. I am happy to. I am required as part of my training to drive in all 5 regions of the country (NE, SE, SW, West and Midwest), Deliver in NYC and traverse two major mountains with no Jake. Now I drove in Europe and have been through the Alps in winter hauling missiles so its not like I have never been down a mountain before, and I have delivered in some large cities before, I have even hauled Nuclear warheads, but it has been 27 years so I am glad to have the extra tutelage the first time out.

I am 50 years old and have learned that life is short and the years and days go by fast, A few weeks out of your life, that will pass in the blink of an eye when amortized over the length of your career turns out to be can pay huge dividends when seen through the scope of hindsight.

Did your school explain what to do when you miss a turn and have to drive 25 miles looking for a place to turn around? Have they explained how to maximize your fuel mileage? Have they shown you how to get your rewards cards from the various truck stops and what they are for? There are so many little things that do not involve shifting and squaring of corners, that you can and will pick up for a trainer. Yes it's tight quarters and yes it can be uncomfortable, but again, it is only a few weeks in the over all scheme of things.

Now if you do end up with one of those carriers who team dispatch, your trainer will be sleeping and you may as well go figure it all out yourself. Remember there are only two ways we learn things. Through trial and error or from t he mistakes of others.

Good luck with it all!

 

Kmac had some really good points! There are going to be a lot of little things to learn out there that the school isn't going to cover.

It's kind of like building a house, sure you can swing a hammer and most likely run a saw, and get through it eventually. However, there are a lot of little tricks and tips to learn to get it done the right way.

 

I got hired yesterday to drive but the owner wants to pay for me to attend a refresher training program that is modified to my training needs. I just need to give him a list of areas I think I would need to train on to be successful. it has been several years since I have been behind the wheel of a tractor/trailer due to military committment. Does anyone have any suggestions other than those listed?

Double Clutching and shifting
Coupling and Uncoupling a trailer
Backing with a trailer
Log books

All suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

 

Training companies rely on government dollars. They are paid $7,200 for every person that completes their training program.
As such, the incentive is to move bodies thru and collect the money. they do very poor jobs of vetting candidates, so many people that have no business there, end up in training, then leave because this is not an industry for them.
An example is the time away from home. For many people, this is a shock to them. They have never been away from home more than 10 days, much less 5 or 6 weeks.
While it's true there are OTR companies out there that get you home much more often, they are not usually a company that takes on newbies.
Each company is different with their training curriculum.
I am a trainer with one of those companies. I sit up front in the jump seat every minute my student is driving for at least the first three weeks. If he seems competent, I may opt for a nap during the day on a clear open highway like across Texas, Nevada, Arizona, etc.
My truck stops for at least 8 hours every day so we can shower, eat, sleep.
But not all companies are that way. You need to do your research.
Yes, many people wash out. Better than 95%. But most don't belong in this business to start with.
Some leave because after a year or two, they become very attractive to other companies that don't hire newbies. They make more money. They get home more or they get into a field they are more interested in, such as heavy haul, tankers, flatbed, etc.
You have to start somewhere. Just make sure that where ever it is, you will obtain good training that equips you to go out there later and expand your horizons and make more money.
Higher training pay or shorter time with a trainer will likely shortchange yourself in the long run.

 

I have been doing research on company's for over 2 years mostly just for my own curiosity and I can tell you they all have their own different ways of doing things. Most of the turnover I believe is people don't realize what they got themselves into until it hits them in the face.
If you do your homework before you go into this there should not be very many if any surprises, I constantly read people ######## about certain companies and their policies. I find most of the stuff people ##### about is things they could of easily found out if they had done a little research instead of blindly jumping into these company's,then find out it's not what they imagined in their head.

 

That pretty much covers driving.

How are you at pre-trip inspections?

Mikeeee

 

Watkins & Shepard hires students with a recent CDL.
Their training is in Montana, and maybe at another location.
It is 10 days company training, and then out solo for 3-4 weeks at a time(so I am told)

I start orientation there Monday, and I use a CPAP which they are aware of.
If you use a CPAP, you must purchase your own power inverter which they will install after you complete orientation and get assigned your truck.

They seem like a reputable company and seem to have a lot of happy drivers.

You might give them a try.