You are dead on right about the trainer. They can make or break a student's perception about what this occupation is all about. I wish there were a lot more good ones out there. I suppose the point I'm trying to make is to take what a recruiter will tell a room full of people he's trying to sell his company to with a grain of salt. His number one priority is to put warm bodies in trucks. That's what his company pays him to do. When it comes down to it, once you go out with a trainer with your first run, he's not waiting by he phone to answer your questions. He's in another room full of people he's trying to sell his company. I'm not saying he's evil, I'm just saying he's paid to convince you to drive for his company, not hold you hand and make sure you learn and prosper as a driver. You get that part with a good trainer. Going back to the original question of what to ask a recruiter, I would say, with the above in mind, to talk to him about trainers. Some things to ask regarding trainers- -How long is training? -If we have problems, will there be an issue if I request a new trainer? -Will I be able to talk with my assigned trainer before taking off to see if we have the same expectations and goals for my progress? -Will I be expected to drive as a team with my trainer? -What are the requirements to be a trainer for this particular company? -Will the trainer be a company driver, or an owner-operator?(if he's an o/o I guarantee that you will drive as a team as soon as your trainer wants to) -How do trainers get paid? (If he only gets the extra miles, then your log book is his training pay) I'm not saying to go in with an attitude, I'm just saying you are going to want to be as informed as possible. Don't end up being the one that quits mid-way through training or doesn't come back when he's finished. Get a good trainer, learn this business the right way, and don't be another burned out rookie that quits too early. Completely off subject, and something to look out for from your trainer- the first time y'all pull into a truckstop for a shower and he tells you that he only has credit for one shower and suggests that y'all share it, it means either y'all have spent too much time together or he hasn't been home any time in recent history. Don't be his shower buddy. Now that's advice you are not going to get from a recruiter!
Well, I went to the DMV today. I was unaware that I had to have my DOT physical before they could issue my permit. Good thing is they allowed me to go ahead and take my knowledge, air breaks, and combinations test anyway. I passed and will be going to Durham tomorrow to take the DOT physical, then it will be back to the DMV to receive my permit. I will call my recruiter tomorrow and find out when my start date for school will be.
I'm long on the free advice. I'll tell anyone that wants to listen. My uncle taught me that the most important lessons in life can be learned as a 12-year-old sitting on the piano stool of a Memphis wh0rehouse. In this line of work, you can accomplish he same thing parked at truckstop. Just sit in the seat and all of the sudden your windshield turns into an episode of Jerry Springer. Im backed into a prime spot between JB and Werner right now in Carlisle, PA. So far, I've seen 3 drug deals, two lot lizards looking for love in all the wrong places, CR England took a US Xpress mirror off while backing up, and a flat bed O/O catch a Mexican dude trying to steal chains and binders off of his headache rack. Needless to say, the real entertainment came when he caught the muchacho red handed standing on the trailer. And it's not even midnight.
congrats on passing your tests! I hope your physical works out for you and you get your permit. I have an appointment in about 2 weeks to get my medical card renewed. Looking out through this windshield at people walking through the lot, you wonder how some of these hands were able to convince a doctor that they are healthy enough to drive trucks. Me an my 6ft 1in, 172 pound self is standing in line buying a coke zero and microwaveable popcorn, and the 350 pound dude that was in front of me is buying a six pack of regular coke, four boxes of candy, two king size snicker bars, and four honey buns. In 10 years, the number one export of the United States is going to be diabetes. I say this after I ate Vienna sausage and saltines for dinner of course
No, there aren't very many dull moments. It's going to be an experience for sure as you start out. It's a different world you have to get used to living in. You'll find your own way of navigating through all of it. It's weird, in that you can't trust anyone in a truckstop but yourself, yet if you get in trouble on the road, that CB is going to light up with every truck driver within sight checking on you to see if everything is ok and if you need help. Let me say it like this- I take it that you are going with Swift, which is just as good a company as the rest of them in my opinion. But go to a truckstop, and you better turn your CB off unless you have thick skin. Now, these same knuckleheads having a good time at the expense of your career choice will be the first ones on the side of some interstate in the middle of nowhere Iowa at 4am to give you help when you need it. You rely on each other to keep safe. But go to a truckstop, and you wonder what made you want to do this job. Just something else that's a weird part of your new occupation!
I only turn the CB on to get help if need be or check road conditions ahead......that is just me. The less distractions the better, in my opinion
I agree with you on that. I usually don't bite into whatever world problem someone is trying to solve at any given time on the CB. I'll listen to chatter when I'm tired of radio or CD 's. The one reason it's good in the truckstops is when you see someone messing with someone else's truck. Better yet, if someone is having trouble backing up, you can help out. You just have to pick your battles on it sometimes Take now for instance. I just reached up and turned it on, and I hear two people arguing in Spanish, and going at it. Now i can jump in and speak in Mississippian, but these two cats don't need my help arguing. How bored can someone get you ask? Bored enough to where he's listening to two muchachos argue about some little señorita in Poophole, Pennsylvania. I have GOT to find a hobby..........
Back from Durham, and passed my DOT physical. Waiting to hear back from my recruiter now on a start date.
