Comments By Scott L. aka Lawdog

Jerry -

I concur w/Buckeye concerning attending the longer school. I successfully completed a 10 week course at a Vocational Tech School. There were 5 of us and each one of us passed. I took my DMV skills and driving test Thursday and did excellent on everything. I got a lot of time on our driving range, and also had some difficulty with the alley (I was also trying to get it in with one shot) and also my drivers-side offset. It also comes to setup and timing (steer, holding, counter-steer maneuvers).

For example, there were some parking lines on the lot (for the schools heavy equip) that I would use for my setup and if I didn't have the middle (of three) line exactly down the center of passenger side (in other words to low or to high) than my steering maneuvers and "count" would be off. Plus if I was "too high" I would come to close to parked vehicles. When my landing gear and rear drives would cross an imaginary line from a fence post I would turn my wheel 360deg and then add additional 15deg and hold (so around the clock then hold at 1). Instructor recommend we count to 4 (1-1000,2-1000,3-1000,4-1000) or sing "Happy Birthday to you" out-loud. With arm on door, and head outside watching trailer imagine "pushing" trailer into the dock. Our instructor took us to a local carrier and we were able to practice on two different dock types (flat and decline).

Going back, attending a longer than 4-week program has been extremely beneficial. I have counted up the hours yet, but just behind the wheel driving I logged over 1,100 miles.

How is your off-set and parallel maneuvers going?

^scott

Dropped off copy of my CDL to my new employer. I start on 11JUL for day of orientation. Then training consists of two-weeks local (home nightly), then two weeks OTR (more if trainer or I decides).

^scott

I successfully passed my Utah Skills and Road Test. I didn't miss anything on my pre-trip, thought tester had me start on passenger side (whilst I had a routine starting on drivers side) so I had initially missed some items but when I got around the other side I realized and went back and got 'm.

The road test consisted of several right (and left turns), driving thru a business "park", across railroad tracks a couple times, residential neighborhood, the main street with several lights, differing speed zones and construction. I talked to the tester during the entire trip informing him of what I was looking at (and for). At the end of the test he said that as I travel thru any intersection I need to continually not just scan ahead but also watch trailer thru intersection. I did alot but I failed to verbalize.

Tomorrow I am going to the DMV to pickup my CDL and drop a copy off to my soon-to-be new employer.

^scott

Rainy - Kewl pics your cat looks comfy and "in charge."

^scott

Welp - today I test-out with DMV, after driving over 1,100+ miles (logbook verified) for the last 6 weeks. I am very confident I will do very well. Two in our class have already tested out, two of us are testing today and the final tomorrow. I highly recommend BATC's CDL program for anyone that would like to earn their CDL from some solid and safe instructors. The great thing about learning to drive in this geographic area is that you would be driving in canyons, mountains, residential, highway, interstate, truck stops.....I feel the instructors really prepared me for this great new chapter.

Curous - how many miles have you driving just in school training?

^scott

I have an apu and leave my cat on the truck. If I park in non trucker spots I leave a note in window "no need to break window for cat. Generator has temp at 65 degrees thanks." I even leave my phone number. Had to take cat from the truck one time since Feb for repairs. He screamed bloody murder. I got us a nice hotel room and he acted like i killed him. I gave up after that. He's happy where he is

You should post picts of your your Happy Truck-riding feline.

^scott

Heat... ac.. bad exhaust fumes... chocolate. .caffeine...

More than anything I would be worried about the exhaust on the truck. People die from carbon monoxide and our sleeper is right above the pipes. Lack of sleep causes them too... and they get worse cause u can't sleep because of them

I agree with Rainy, if physically you two are taking care of yourself then the culprit may be something within/without the truck. Especially exhaust, dead rodent or some other un-healthy living condition inside the truck. When you operate the A/C do you have it on "recirc" or pulling fresh air from outside (if so could be pulling in some harmful fumes). Another thought is since you are in such close quarters, maybe just so happen both of you are getting sick/ill at the same time.

^scott

Make sure the local company you sign up with has lots of trucks and trailers. Just a measure of company size and resources, that's all.

A company with six trucks probably does not have their own shop, and will be paying for upkeep each time. And sometimes company finances may not be the best, so maintenance gets deferred.

A larger local company will have their own mechanic and will keep the equipment going better.

The great thing about my area is that there are alot of carriers, both large and "small" (which I personally define as 500 or less) I have visited the local-based company I've selected, and even had a one-on-one with their head-mechanic. This company is well-established for 25+ years. Their mechanic shop provides contract work for other carriers, I asked the mechanic "why" and he stated that safety and routine maintenance are their top priority and since they have such a low-breakdown percentage they provide maintenance, repair and alignment to other carriers. While I was there, one of the "mega" carrier had a tractor in one of their bays and the mechanics were performing an alignment.

Recommend that as you conduct your research, make lists, ask questions, talk to drivers, visit terminals and truck stops.

^scott

Hello all. My name is Matthew. I have been thinking seriously about being a trucker for a couple months now, and have been finding my way around this site the past few weeks. I still do not know what my medical results will be, but I am going to proceed as if it will be fine until I know for sure.

I contacted one of the driving schools (West Michigan CDL) I had looked at in my area this Monday and spoke a bit with an advisor. Everything I have read so far on them has seemed good. They seem like they are supposed to be a good operation, have a good relationship with quite a few companies, have a program that is recognized as producing well trained drivers, and have a learning experience that lets those who know the book stuff already focus on working with equipment.

I believe I would like to start out working for one of the bigger carriers. Having more flexibility in what work I do and solid support in place seems like an appealing way to start out. Having as much freedom as possible in what I choose to do is a big deal for me.

Up to this point I have wanted to go with a private school because I don't want to be locked into a contract year 1 and I don't want to owe anyone when I enter the workforce. I can pay the tuition needed and cover living expenses and all the extras like the ME bill and permit. Since I am fortunate enough to be able to do that, I thought it would put me in more comfortable place to start.

I have read some things recently though that were a bit alarming, drivers who complain that they cannot get hired because companies tell them that they went to a private school, and that they had to settle for a smaller company that doesn't run their own school. Does employment with big carriers come just as easy for rookie drivers fresh out of a private school as it would have if they signed up day with with that carrier and went through the carrier school? Before I cut a large check, should I be rethinking the private school choice?

My assumption is that those drivers were having other issues that were keeping them from getting work and were blaming the wrong thing for their issues. I haven't noticed any talk like that around here, but when looking at the cost and long term impacts a choice for schooling could have, I want to be cautious. Is there any truth to the claim that private school will make it harder to get hired by bigger carriers?

I am going to try and find numbers for some of the bigger carriers and try to talk to someone directly at the companies about how eager they are to hire rookies who didn't come through their own school, but I am hoping someone here can give some good info on it also. Thanks for taking the time to read this and for any info/advice you can offer up.

Matt -

I am currently attending Driver Training Program at a Vocational Community College (I am testing out this week), like you I've paid for it out of pocket for similar reasons you've identified. Though the school does not have employment placement they've had recruiters come in over the last 10 weeks. I had thought that I would possibly have to go with a large carrier for my first year, and after several local based carriers have come on, I have made the decision to go with one of them. My benefits kick-in after 30 days (vice 90 for some of the large carriers).

As for the claim concerning being hired by a bigger carrier, if they recruit from there then should be no problem. You can also call the recruiting department of the carriers you are interested in and let them know the school you intend on receiving your training from and also ask for pre-hire letters. They will ask you a few short questions (and or ask you to submit an application) then that why you have more choices for your new first future employer.

^scott

Alex - Interested, count me in.

^scott