Comments By Jason T. (JT)

As far as the training with the company I won't say the name of again. I don't know. I'm brand new with this and basically I hear what my mind wants to hear. I hope I'm not ****ing anybody off. I love all of ya on trucking truth and everyone's great Professional advice. As I write I am trying to make some of you laugh, because it's fun for me. I know most of this is very serious, with serious senerios. I really do hope this company does train really well with the logs though. Or I'll tell all of you I will be CDL (less) with serious HOS violations! I completed almost my entire HIGH ROAD TRAINING with scores averaging in the low 90's. But Brett refuses to let me get out of the Logbook section. I've been stuck there in review for weeks, if not months. I just can't get that part in my head. So I joke a little about it. I mentioned it in the beginning. (look back). People blew me off like it was nothing. Now it's gonna be something. Most definite. I need to really get that right and stop being a moron. Have a good day/nite eveybody. And stay safe !

Yea Old S. That's basically about what they've said. I'm not real new to trucks. I've been around them, driving them, working on them, etc. in construction all my life. I've even owned an old Kenworth tractor at one time. I've never driven like you guys for an actual living so I'm willing to learn the ropes. The limited time with them would be just brushing up on backing and manoevers I guess. That was kinda of appitizing for me. Maybe not good. I thought what you guys meant by experience was dealing with not hitting anything, lol. Bridges, Instructors, other truckers, etc. The overall on the road life. I really do hope to God they teach you how to slide tandems and stuff like that. Coupling and uncoupling safely. If they don't they'd really be crazy !

Has TransAm explained their training to you? We've had several people tell us that TransAm puts new CDL drivers straight into a truck with no time spent with a company trainer.

That's a really bad way to start. I'd like to know what they are telling you concerning your training.

Absolutely, Old School.

Thank you for making me realize that. But, the bills are still going to be the same at home. It's gonna be a little rough in the beginning I think. But there is probably nothing I want to do more at this point in my life. And i'm expecting to learn a lot in my training.

Hi , new guy contemplating on going OTR. What do my new friends on Trucking truth think of .31 a mile. Am I crazy signing up with Trans Am ?

Hello all. I'm looking at getting my class A CDL in January of 2024. I'm trying to consider if a job in this industry is right for me and my family. My girlfriend and I just got engaged and will be planning our wedding for the same year. Considering I am going to be fresh in my marriage, home time is very important to me, as I am sure it is important to all who work in the industry. I've been looking up jobs in the area to see what is available and what I can expect (I live in Columbus Ohio for reference). I know for example that Dollar General has local and regional routes and is openly hiring new drivers. I know that starting out in long haul trucking is often recommended, but is it possible to start your career working local or regional routes? Money is not an issue, so I am not as worried about signing a contract with a company to pay off the cost of the CDL program. Thank you to anyone willing to take the time to answer my question and share your advice; I very much appreciate it.

Hi Nathan, I'm new too. I got my CDL A only a few weeks ago. Man I thought I was on top of the world. To be honest, why wouldn't you think that with all these advertisements, "get your CDL A, see the world! What a joke. I thought I knew a few people, whom promised me a job. As soon as you say just got out of CDL school, you're like the plague ! Now I'm finding out I have no choice then to go OTR. So that's where I'm at and my girlfriend's having a fit. Between the money we spent for school and getting endorsements, is unbelievable. Now I'm gonna be taking a job, paying .35 a mile. Granted they claim they'll reimburse me for school, which helps. But wow, what a rude awakening. Oh and don't plan on seeing anyone you love for about 3 weeks while you're going through "their training". As far as I'm concerned, I made my bed and now have to sleep in it. I'm excited to be a part of the trucking world. I'm trying different ways to come to terms with it. I know there's a lot of great Truckers out there to meet. I just pray I do my job as well, and be SAFE ! And thank God for Truckingtruth. And good luck to you in your situation. Jason T LI/NY

oh, but that's a sided vehicle. Isn't that b. s. or what ? They didn't use a friction mat either. It was probably a piece of rug !

Of everything you'll haul on a flatbed, coils are the one thing you really need to understand. They are dangerous, and I see a lot of them mishandled by many drivers.

Man, the one I could never wrap my head around was we had a couple places that would load eye to the sky coils in a van trailer right next to us flatbedders. I'd watch the drivers just close the doors and drive off while I'm throwing chains. Couldn't believe I never saw more of them go through the trailer wall. Not even friction mats!

Hang in there Jason. You'll get it.

Of everything you'll haul on a flatbed, coils are the one thing you really need to understand. They are dangerous, and I see a lot of them mishandled by many drivers. Get the basic math down and you'll be well on your way to understanding how to haul coils. Once you have the basics down, you can pass that test like a pro.

Keep using our study guides. They will get you where you need to be.

NY State Coil Endorsement

Thanks old School. I keep trying. Now its not so much the coil test O'm worried for. Now its all these companies with physicals. I've been a carpenter all my life and considered myself pretty good shape. Not great. I can lift a tarp up. But some of these tests these companies are making new guys do sounds like everyone's gotta be superman! Man, all I wanna do is drive in my older age. Never thought truck drivers had to be in extreme condition !

It's been a few years, but I don't remember it being all that difficult.

Of course, I used the High Road CDL Training Program for study, and that more than prepared me.

I believe every state should have a similar separate test for cargo securement in the way that NY does. Every person on the road is putting their hands into the lives of flatbedders. It's important to know how to properly secure stuff to that deck.

Study up on it, you'll get it.

Yup Turtle I agree with you. We all need to be on the same page for safety. It probably is me. I used the highroad CDL course too and some questions were nothing like I've seen so far between that and the NYS study manual. I'm gonna dig a little deeper into research. Thank you. Be safe out there !

Hi everyone. I just wanted to say how tough the Metal Coil test is. I studied pretty well, I thought. Took the test twice, failed both times. Some of the questions were not even on any of the material they gave to study. A real bummer. Just letting anyone trying for it. It ain't easy ! Or maybe I'm just not bright! Jason T.

Thank you for your advice Moose. The school's not even touching on the Log stuff. I'm doing it on my own because I was just curious and wanted it not to be strange to me in the future. But, I got ya, I need to really practice and focus a lot more on learning "driving". Right now, having a rough time with parallel, but I'll get it, I hope. My test is April 27. I only had about 10 classes so far. The stress is on... Thanks Moose

I'm having a real hard time on Logbooks in the CDL training...Thank you guys, Jason T /NY

Jason, I felt the same while going through training. Omnitrax (which my carrier uses) simplifies this considerably. You login and set yourself as the driver and as soon as you get rolling the countdown commences. Pay attention to this while you're first starting your career and pay attention to what happens to this countdown after taking extended breaks within that initial window described by others. You'll quickly learn the time tables and how to optimize it to your routes (OTR/regional). This is one thing you shouldn't stress out about. The paper logs are simply a repeat of this device. Electronic logs have simplified your job of managing your time. Have patience and go with the flow; keep your eyes open and pay attention to what's happening and you'll be okay. Focus on safety matters that keep the truck rolling; that's the one thing that will set you back more than anything.