Will I ever get another truck driving job?

Why do you keep going on about 3 months? No one ever said that.

I'm sure that there are many drivers that could learn the basics of the job in 3 days, but everyone isn't the same. My father learned how to drive a car when he was 9. My grandpa would put a peach crate on the seat for him so he could see over the dash and one behind him so he could reach the pedals. He made deliveries for my grandfather's business. By the time he was 14 he had a farm license and was delivering things like septic tanks that he hauled in a trailer behind the car.

He will be the first to tell you that things were different then, lot fewer cars and people less likely to sue if there was a problem.

When I was 15 I also learned how to drive a dump truck and run a back hoe from a guy that thought a lot like you. I thought I was pretty special. The only kid on the job site and hanging with the big dogs. Then one day I backed into a tree on a customer's property. Then I wasn't so hot anymore. Two of the older guys showed me how to adjust the mirrors so I could see what I was supposed see. I had trouble shifting the bigger dump truck and one of the guys who used to be a truck driver taught me how to double clutch.

Then the owner's son started running things and that all changed. He didn't even want me running a power saw until I was 18, but the old man taught me a lot.

Things are different today. While I understand what you are saying, I think there is a valid compromise between 3 days and 3 months of training.

 

OP...

.... kudos for making a good decision. Any company that would take a recent driving school graduate, give three days of behind the wheel training, and then turn you out as a solo driver is not a company that will reflect well on your resume. I'll bet if you checked their DAC score you will find it isn't favorable.

For my own horror story, my first experience behind the wheel was in '77, just after passing the written test to get my permit. My brother got tired on I-84 just before the Blue Mountains in Oregon, and told me to take the wheel. Huh!? The palm of my right hand was literally swollen and black and blue from trying to jam it into gear going over those mountains. There was road construction and narrow lanes and I was getting passed by other trucks and FREAKING OUT that I'd hit the concrete barrier or the truck passing me.

I survived that experience because I remained a codriver with my brother for the months and years to come (off and on). In NO way would I want my wife or daughter to be out in their car with a 3 day rookie driving solo next to them...

... "man up" indeed. Perhaps that would be an appropriate epitaph on the gravestone of one of your loved ones after a complete greenhorn plowed into them?

Pick a company that has extensive training. For all the bad things folks have to say about the majors, there are some good training options out there. Pick a company that will give you at least 240 hours behind the wheel before turning you lose. Insist on making sure you are comfortable in ALL phases of driving, dealing with paperwork, and dealing with communication on Qualcomm before you are sent out solo.

Good luck.

 

I say that if a guy seriously needs more then a week with a trainer or learning how a truck works, then he is definately not fit for the job. You guys probably wont even believe this, but the company that you would call shoddy, the one I started with never gave me anymore then about 6 hrs training with another driver. I went to school and paid for it all by myself, never asking for a handout, and did 1 hr of training and then a road test and PASSED. I then went to work for the guy who told me to get my CDL and 6 hrs later in a truck, I was turned loose on my own. I was also turned loose with 2 trailers, 8 axle combination, grossing out at 140K lbs. I learned myself as fast as I needed to, mainly due to COMMON SENSE and having the ability to actually learn from mistakes. I have never had an accident or a freight claim, although early on there were a couple pretty hairy moments, but who doesnt have those. Im not trying to say Im better then anyone, but serious common sense plays the biggest role here. Dont expect the company to give you everything you need, you dont learn if someone is always doing it for you...

 

Wow.... by many of the comments i have read on this thread i am feeling more and more insecure about my safety around some of these guys...