What's it like day to day doing OTR?

I am posting about my experience as a trainee with Arnold on the thread titled "Arnold Orientation".
My trainer is very good and easy to get along with. My family came to visit while I was in a hotel during his hometime and he invited us over so my kids could see the truck and our wives became friends. Most of his ex-trainees are getting over 2500 miles/wk and the equipment is mostly new. If you can live in a sub, you can live in a truck. Showering in the truckstop is easy, eating healthy is easy, you can entertain yourself by reading TTR and keep in touch with loved ones with phone, text and Skype. Got my first check today direct deposit. (smile) Good luck to you.

 

You'll have fun unless your trainer is a tool. I never had a trainer but sometimes wished I'd had one (a good one) to slap my hand with a ruler when he saw a stupid rookie moment coming.

 

Most trainers are ok people, if they weren't they would be killed in their sleep.

You here the horror stories but you also hear a lot about the wonderful students in class, yep them folks post here to. You know the the guy you here about that was the room mate from hell, If I where a trainer I'd scream at him to.

Life on the road for most truckers is hurry up and wait. It can be a very normal life if you like camping. When I'm on the road I focus on work and sleep. Dishes are disposable and I eat right out of a disposable bread pan and then toss it in the nearest trash can.

My advice is travel light, if I haven't used it in two weeks it stays home.

 

Here is another guy from Europe making some great videos...

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iR5CRUa7Pf4[/ame]

This guy can be a riot at times, British humor

 

The one recurring comment I've read that scares me is that of a trainer (after all, it's HIS truck) just throwing you out of the truck on the side of the road (or abandoning you while you're showering) What recourse (legally, or at least within the company) would you have if this happened?

 

trainers aren't suppose to do that, if they want their student off they are suppose to take them to a safe location, notify the company of the what why and where. the company then takes care of you from there. hotel. another trainer, bus or what ever is needed. otr in general is what you make of it under the circumstances, in training or not.

 

That kind of stuff doesn't really happen that often. I'm not saying that it hasn't happened but a lot of the stories are a little embellished I suspect.

A trainer wouldn't be a trainer anymore after tossing you out of a truck at a truck stop.

 

If you feel you aren't being trained properly or just don't get along with your trainer then speak up. Its not uncommon for drivers to switch trainers. You will know if you aren't being properly trained. Also know the difference between training and teaming. If you are running over 5000 miles a week then you are teaming. If your trainer is in the bunk for 10 hours then you are teaming.

Also your trainer should be buying you dinner and showers. You are making him a lot of money so the least he can do is buy you dinner and a shower with his fuel bonus card.