Category Archives: Advice and Opinions

A Trainer’s Perspective On Teaching Students How To Shift

Posted on September 7, 2011 by TruckerMike

Today, I became a fully certified CDL instructor (woo hoo!). It feels very strange to be teaching students how to shift a truck when it feels like I just got my CDL license last week. Of course, I’ve had my license for over two and a half years now, but it sure doesn’t feel that way. Continue reading →

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Becoming A Truck Driver, Career Help, Tips, Advice, Great Stories, On The Road In Training, Safe Driving Tips, The Trainer's Viewpoint | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

I’m Becoming a CDL Instructor!

Posted on September 1, 2011 by TruckerMike

Yup, I’m doing something I never thought I’d ever do. I’m becoming a CDL instructor! Long story short, an old college buddy of mine started asking questions about becoming a truck driver. After several emails and a couple phone calls together, he applied to the company I drive for and was hired. He’s coming in without any trucking experience and no CDL. After a lot of thinking, I decided to train him myself. Continue reading →

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Career Help, Tips, Advice, Great Stories, On The Road In Training | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Training Time Is Over And It’s Time To Test

Posted on August 24, 2011 by JakeCat22

Well, after two weeks with my trainer, I got to go home for three days to relax and get ready for my company test. Before I can get assigned my own truck I had to go back to the operating center and take a series of tests so the company knows I am knowledgeable enough and safe enough to go out solo in my own truck. Here’s how it went… Continue reading →

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Becoming A Truck Driver, Career Help, Tips, Advice, Great Stories, On The Road In Training, Stories of the Road | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

On The Road In Training: There’s Been A Lot Of Ups And Downs

Posted on August 10, 2011 by JakeCat22

Well, I have been out with my trainer for a week and a half now and it has definitely been a roller coaster ride. I am learning new things every day, and every day our trainer expects us to do more and more on our own with little or no guidance from him. I feel I have progressed quite a bit, but feel as tho I still have a long way to go, especially since I only have 3 more days with my trainer. Continue reading →

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Becoming A Truck Driver, Great Stories, On The Road In Training, Stories of the Road, truck driving lifestyle | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Our First Day Driving

Posted on July 29, 2011 by JakeCat22

We got our first chance to drive the trucks today at company orientation and it went pretty well. But there are a lot of things we have to do differently than we learned in truck driving school and the classroom work is becoming information overload. Continue reading →

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Becoming A Truck Driver, Career Help, Tips, Advice, Great Stories, Trucking Company Orientation | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

What You Need To Know Before Choosing A Truck Driving School

Posted on July 21, 2011 by Tanya Bons

I have been in the truck driver training industry for several years now and it still dumbfounds me as to how individuals choose their truck driving school. Often times they make the least important factors a priority, while failing to evaluate the most important factors properly. You want the best quality education you can get for the money, and most importantly you want to be able to land a job after graduation. Here are some factors to consider when comparing truck driving schools. Continue reading →

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Becoming A Truck Driver, Career Help, Tips, Advice, Choosing A Truck Driving School | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 8 Comments

The Science of Truck Driving

Posted on July 18, 2011 by Philosopher Paul

From truck driving school to orientation to working with two different finishers and getting out on my own, I am not saying that I am anywhere close to understanding this complex science, but this familiarity was the place I was hoping to reach when I set out to become a truck driver in early April. I wanted to be alone and feel like I had some kind of base to work from. Now I am finally alone and I am very glad to be here. But there’s been a lot of tough lessons learned and near misses. Continue reading →

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Becoming A Truck Driver, Career Help, Tips, Advice, First Solo Months On The Road, Great Stories, Stories of the Road, truck driving lifestyle | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Showdown With “The Colonel” – Handling My Trainer’s Tirades

Posted on June 2, 2011 by Philosopher Paul

3200 miles with colonel Kurtz and still going surprisingly well. I needed to keep things light with this guy because I still had two or three weeks left with him. When it seemed like he wasn’t going to let up on me, I knew we were going to have a showdown. Continue reading →

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Becoming A Truck Driver, Great Stories, On The Road In Training, Stories of the Road | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Dealing With Some Crazy Personalities During Training

Posted on May 24, 2011 by Philosopher Paul

I’ve been really happy with my fortune so far but the first day I met my finisher, I got a little concerned. The first thing he told me was “Forget everything you learned at your school.” And it got much crazier from there. Continue reading →

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Becoming A Truck Driver, Career Help, Tips, Advice, Great Stories, On The Road In Training, Stories of the Road | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

The Completion Of CDL Training (After A Lot Of Stress!)

Posted on May 16, 2011 by Philosopher Paul

I completed my truck driver training last week and got my CDL. I also got hired by the two best companies that were recruiting from my school. Overall it went well but there were some really tough teachers to deal with and not everyone made it through. Continue reading →

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The Difference Between Truck Drivers and Professional Truck Drivers

Posted on April 26, 2011 by TruckerMike

The world has its share of unprofessional drivers, and driving a truck for a living doesn’t necessary exclude you from this category. What does it mean to truly be a professional driver? Here’s some great advice to help keep you safe out there. Continue reading →

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Career Help, Tips, Advice, Safe Driving Tips | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Rookie Drivers: Time Management Tips And Mileage Goals

Posted on January 9, 2011 by Brett Aquila

For rookie truck drivers, time management skills are critically important to making good money and being safe out there. Here are some important tips to help you turn more miles, get better rest, and get your career off to a great start! Continue reading →

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Career Help, Tips, Advice, First Solo Months On The Road, Safe Driving Tips | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

More Boot Camp Stories From My Time In A Company-Sponsored CDL Training Program

Posted on December 20, 2010 by SharBear

Going through a company-sponsored CDL training program is no bed of roses. Here are some of my experiences and some challenges you can expect to face. Continue reading →

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Becoming A Truck Driver, Career Help, Tips, Advice, Great Stories, Week 2 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

The Boot Camp Known As Company-Sponsored Training

Posted on December 6, 2010 by SharBear

Company-Sponsored CDL training is a lot like boot camp. Be prepared to have your self worth, your dignity, your brains, your ability and your patience tested. Once you sign those papers you are at their mercy. Boy could I have begged for mercy more times than I care to admit. Continue reading →

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Becoming A Truck Driver, Career Help, Tips, Advice, Free CDL Training, Week 1 | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

When Will I Know If Trucking Was The Right Career Choice?

Posted on September 13, 2010 by Brett Aquila

Truck driving is one of the most unique jobs and lifestyles you’ll find anywhere. It’s also one of the most demanding, and trucking certainly isn’t for everyone. Everyone faces tough challenges and almost everyone questions whether or not becoming a truck driver was the right thing to do. How do you know when you’ve seen enough? When do you throw in the towel and say “Wow, this isn’t for me!” Read on and we’ll help you understand what you’re facing and when enough is enough.
Continue reading →

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Becoming A Truck Driver, Career Help, Tips, Advice, Current State of the Trucking Industry, First Solo Months On The Road, On The Road In Training, truck driving lifestyle | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment