Just Finished My First 3 Day Run!

I'm new to trucking and just finished my first trip with trainer! Is it normal to spend a lot of time waiting around for dispatch to find you loads after you make you empty call? I figured there would be some waiting around but didn't expect to wait I thought I'd be running like crazy with no time to shower or sleep. I really enjoyed the trip we took it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be especially learning to drive a new truck I'd never been trained to drive. It was a steep learning curve that's for sure but my trainer helped me out a lot. Thanks in advance for any feed back!

I don't know what company you are training with, but at my company (I'm a trainer) although we are always planned in advance, we do have plenty of time for showers, meals, and sleep. I do not team with my trainees so we strictly run and are dispatched as a solo driver. At West Side, it's up to the trainer if they choose to have the trainee team after 14 days on the truck, but I generally don't. The final week the trainee is expected to do everything (per our training coordinator) that way if I see something/knowledge or skill gaps, we can cover it again before they test out to go solo.

The training process differs slightly from company to company.

As Susan wrote, some companies vary as far as wait times. Usually, I know what I'm doing in advance via a pre-plan. Longest wait is during weekends and holidays. Every day, load and company is different.

The company I'm training with is running my team plus the trainer. There will be 3 of us during training at all times and training runs 4-6 weeks from what I understand but sometimes less if we pick up fast. I think we did well being thrown in a 680 13sp I'd never driven after my partner took over trainer went to sleep so I guess he trusted us. I really must say I was surprised they didn't have load after load lined up in advance apparently we don't get the next work assignment until we complete the workflow and make an empty call but we are running dedicated lanes so i guess that makes a huge difference.

As Susan wrote, some companies vary as far as wait times. Usually, I know what I'm doing in advance via a pre-plan. Longest wait is during weekends and holidays. Every day, load and company is different.

I asked this question in a previous post but can't recall getting an answer. If there's 3 of you in the truck how does sleeping work, especially while in a "team" situation? I'd assume nobody is allowed in top bunk while truck is in motion, whether company policy or DOT....regardless I wouldn't be interested in being up there while moving.

So we are not running a true team truck at this point in my training. We are taking turns driving but coupling ect is on us. In our truck you can sleep on top bunk while moving as long as you have a harness on. We will be getting hotels at some points during our trips but someone will always stay in the truck. It's really not bad sleeping up top of course there is more movement but after awhile it kinda rocks you to sleep lol.

I asked this question in a previous post but can't recall getting an answer. If there's 3 of you in the truck how does sleeping work, especially while in a "team" situation? I'd assume nobody is allowed in top bunk while truck is in motion, whether company policy or DOT....regardless I wouldn't be interested in being up there while moving.

Never a good idea, harness, straps, netting, whatever. Never!

Wow is all I can say about sleeping in a top bunk while the truck is in motion. They couldn't pay me enough. No way no how for me anyway. When I worked for the mega carriers I always had to wait after the empty call. It drove me nuts. I hate sitting around. I can understand their point of view, which is if something happens and you get held up on your current load then they have to change things down stream. Most dispatchers have numerous drivers on their board and can you imagine how much extra work there could be if you had just some with issues and were already pre planned. That was always the standard answer too me anyway. I'm in a very good place for me. Their system and I get along well.

I really didn't find it hard to sleep or find it uncomfortable. I understand there will be some waiting around. We waited awhile then went to a local truck stop for breakfast so I really can't complain. It seems like they'd keep us moving better. Next week we head out west so hopefully get some miles.

At this point you guys are trainees. I think you've got to realize you are untested and unknown at this point. If you guys continue doing well you'll see those wait times diminish. Also sometimes trainees are selctively given certain runs that will expose them to all sorts of terrain just to help them learn how to handle all the different aspects of this job. Waiting is something you re going to experience on this job. Logistics is not a perfect science. It has far too many variables to go smoothly 24/7.