Ok, just some random thoughts so bear with me here. I'm 75 road time hours into my 150. This is my first company after CDL school and yes I did drive before.
#1 Research your company. Learn everything you can about them. Get as much info as possible good and bad, and how their orientation works.
#2 Read everything on this forum to get some knowledge of the rucking industry.
#3 Be prepared for orientation. It's long, often boring and you will need more info than you thought you would. Bring your last three years of W-2's with you. If you listed an employer, call the number you provided on your application. Ask them, IS THIS THE NUMBER I WOULD CALL TO VERIFY EMPLOYMENT? If not get that number and call. My Orientation/hiring process took two extra days because one employer refused to send a fax. They do their verifications on line through a second company. They costs $12. and the company I signed with refused to pay it. Of course I didn't know any of this until Friday morning (day 5). The company would rather have sent me home than pay the verification fee. So, I did. Then faxed the info to the recruiter who forwarded it to the person doing my background.
#4 Do not lie or omit anything on your application. It is much better to find out your DQ'd at home than 2 to 400 miles from home. I had a non reportable accident on my motorcycle two years ago. A deer hit me while riding. The State Police assured me it was non reportable. But because there was a insurance claim. The company still found it. Lucky for me I listed it. A fellow hire did not AND WAS GONE.
#5 Do not bring more than one bag and a carry on. There just isn't any room. I brought one large back pack and my computer bag. You will need five days of clothing. You will be able to wash clothing. The perfect bag would be a military surplus duffle bag. My pack is nice and takes up very little room when empty, but a duffle would be better. Remember, if you bring it, you will sleep with it. Bring gloves.
Thats all for now. Hope it helps someone. Max
What new hires need to know before hand
Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Maxxdad, Oct 30, 2010.
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As you stated... Research the company! Talk with other drivers (when able), but DO NOT buy into all of the "Road Rash Rumors"! Every company has it's good and bad points. Chances are you will hear both sides. IF a driver is doing nothing but bashing the company, I would categorize this as RRR and file it away. Likewise, if a driver is beating the drums of praise, raise an eyebrow to that as well (could be a recruiter trying to lure you in
). It will be next to impossible to find out everything you NEED to know about the company before you start, but you can and should make an informed decision.
If you have the chance to talk with your trainer prior to boarding his/her truck, you can get a better idea of space available. BUT keep in mind, depending on your company, you may have to travel to your truck once the trainer is done. I know of several drivers that went with other trucks from the yard to pick up their trucks several hundred miles away, others that had to go by Greyhound (myself included). Greyhound allows for one bag under the bus, more than that costs $ (10 for 2nd, 30 for 3rd on/each). It can be very difficult to travel with even 3 or 4 bags.
Plan on being exhausted by the time you get off of the training truck, and back home. -
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Great post ! Seems like a lot of these folks looking to get a CDL do not realize that.
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Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds
Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.
