Comments By TreeTheTrucker

Well I'm training with a trainer doing local runs before They can find me an OTR trainer, and I sleep in the truck at the truck stop every night with no problems. The only sounds I hear are the cars and trucks on the highway next to me and the trucks coming in at night either to park or to get gas no cops, and no lot lizards. The only problem I had was the headlights but a simple curtain fixed all of that. So while it won't be as comfortable as your bed back home, it's feasible for a good nights rest(comfortably. Just my opinion in my experience tho...

@Errol, I'm trying man. They said it's more to trucking then just driving and I am sure finding that out to be true! But it's not bad. Might be a little tedious but I'm sure once I get a hang of it all, I'll be good. Now if I can just figure out these log books and hours of service part,lol!!

Congrats man!!! I know that feeling an it's an awesome one!!! Well wishes and safe travels to you driver.

So it turns out that since the company doesn't have otr trainer they sent to train with a local driver on local routes...at first I was hesitant thinking how is this preparing me for an OTR career? Well it turns out It's preparing me ten fold it seems. !!! I've driven(and backed) into some strange situations but my Trainer assured me I was good. He taught me how to float(which I'm not too fond of) and how to deal with shippers and receivers properly. Most of this is probably nothing major to most of you but to me it means the world because the company sponsored training program didn't teach us the basic things we would be using every day like, DEF, sliding tandems(still not too clear on the whole adjusting weight but I'll get it), sliding fifth wheels, hours of service and etc. so while I was a little uneasy about the whole sleeping in a sleeper berth at the truck stop for two weeks(Bills truck stop North Carolina), this experience to me is invaluable. Today I drove 407.2 miles(didn't know you drive that much on local routes)(we deliver loads for Lowes and RJ Reynolds)(also never knew they were that serious about a truck load of tobacco!). I can honestly tell you, I'm having fun. Might not be a word you would associate with trucking but to me, I'm having the time of my life behind the wheel of a big rig, and the best part? I know it only gets better. So in 4 days of driving with a local trainer I've driven 1,045.2 miles. Not much by most of your standards but for me it means so much more. Living my dream and loving it. Just had to share with you guys.

I was/still am, a certified motorcycle mechanic.

Sending massive hugs your way driver... :)

@jeffry t.

I can dig it. It is a little crazy sounding especially considering that there are guys going out with local trainers here in Indy. So I can overstand the part about being short on trainers, and even this being(possibly) a better learning experience, I just think they could've done better. But I do feel better with you telling me this isn't unheard of. Everyone I know that drives is telling me i should be in a hotel at night and not in the truck at a mom and pop truck stop. I'm just hoping I have a good trainer and hoping he can teach me a lot about this industry because the school didn't.(found out yesterday via PowerPoint, how to slide my tandems, and the fifth wheel) but I'm 50/50 on optimism about it at this point. I just wanna learn so I can be a good truck driver, and hopefully despite these obstacles, I'll get there.

@old school I can dig that. I see the upside in it all despite what I may feel. After all it's still people waiting on trainers for weeks so as I said I'm fortunate in that regard. And true it may not be what I want right away but it's something. I'm just eager to learn. Didn't think it would be this way but I'll take it, I've been thru too much not to. I appreciate your response.

@the Persian conversion Lol now I can totally dig that!!!

@errol I can dig that because some people are just sitting here waiting around for trainers. Some have been waiting for 3 weeks for a trainer. So I guess I'm fortunate in that right.