Tag Archives: Advice and Opinions

A Trainer’s Perspective On Teaching Students How To Shift

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!)

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

Posted in Advice and Opinions, Becoming A Truck Driver, Career Help, Tips, Advice, Great Stories, Truck Driving School Day-By-Day | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Difference Between Truck Drivers and Professional Truck Drivers

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

Losing Weight As A Truck Driver

Losing weight as a truck driver is a very difficult thing. Actually, what I should say is gaining weight as a truck driver is very easy! But after putting on some weight initially, I took off and now I’m in the best shape of my life – without exercise! It was really a pretty simple plan – here’s how I did it. Continue reading

Posted in Career Help, Tips, Advice, Trucker Health | Tagged , , , , , , | 4 Comments

My 2010 Salary – Finishing Up My Second Year Behind The Wheel

It’s hard to find accurate information about truck driver’s salaries so I’m sharing my salary information for my second year on the road so people that are considering becoming a truck driver will have a realistic expectation of what they can make out here. Continue reading

Posted in Becoming A Truck Driver, Career Help, Tips, Advice, Current State of the Trucking Industry | Tagged , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Rookie Drivers: Time Management Tips And Mileage Goals

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

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

Why Do People Decide To Get Into Truck Driving?

People get into trucking for a variety of reasons – a second career after retirement, a new career after losing a job, or just the opportunity to drive those amazing big rigs. Trucking has a lot to offer if you’re circumstances, personality, and goals make you the right person for the job. Continue reading

Posted in Becoming A Truck Driver, Career Help, Tips, Advice, Current State of the Trucking Industry, Free CDL Training, Videos | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Boot Camp Known As Company-Sponsored Training

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