Comments By Errol V.

Permit practice right here: High Road Training Program

Sarina, it's like Steve says, the complainers will complain, and the people happy with their job will just continue to make money.

And Big Scott is right, there are companies that will provide your training with little out-of-pocket. Check out the link at the top of this page: Paid CDL Training

Any of the Bigs listed here could be considered "good". Keep in mind, trucking companies do not get big by screwing their drivers. They really do want to keep you working for them, if you are good at it.

Here's one more link you might be interested in: The Truck Driver's Career Guide

The three lined Menu button at the top left will open the whole website for you.

A Million Miler "forced to leave"? That's a shock, but regardless, your new company is getting a new asset for sure! Prime's loss.

Paul realizes

Nobody to bail me out when I am having a problem have to do it all myself now.

That happens to every wet-behind-the-ears rookie. Check out my first week at Swift:

My First Week Adventure As A Swift Driver

Bus experience has little to do with Semi-Truck work. As an instructor I have worked with two veteran Greyhound bus drivers who could not get down the backing of a truck that "bends". Not to say you can't do it, just in the time they had for training, old habits never die.

So in short, your Class A won't help much. However, you should apply and expect training. Good luck.

Yes, Trucker Path is great for listing not just truck stops but weigh stations and just places to park a truck as well. I don't have a paid subscription but the free features work for me.

So you have had "issues" with your current company - as a rookie. In reality, the company has settled procedures and ways to operate that differ from your rookie ideas. Get with the program and do more than grin and bare it. Continue your learning and understand how your trucking career will work. Please let on as to which company has hired you. There may be some active and experienced members here who can fill you in on that companies "culture" and ways.

"Safety and legality"? Trucking regulations are designed for safety of the general public, the driver and the rig. So as a newbie, what are the issues? Please be specific, and we can pass on the tough love without making you feel more embarrassed than you are.

You mention "two mistakes" in "minor" hits in the yard (are there others that aren't "recorded"?). Well, any "minor hit" is an indication that you aren't careful in driving in close quarters. Too many even minor bumps can get you your walking papers. If your company offers Close Quarter training, ask to take it.

Here's a secret about "training" or "starter" companies: like the Easter Bunny, it's true: they do not exist. Every truck driving company out there is out to make money, not create drivers for other companies. If you still have your job, stick with them for more than a year. The actual differences from Trucking Company A and Company B are small and are rarely worth losing your calendar seniority over.

Finally, what is your "constant fight about running when I am not fit for duty"? By regulation you have ten hours off between shifts, and you can't drive or be on duty more than 70 hours in eight days. What do you do on your time off? I hope you are mainly catching up on sleep.

Give us more detail, RoadKat and we can give you more detailed advice.

It's that old saw about "You'll always remember your first time." I still remember my first trailer pick up. I stood there looking at that beast for a minute - no trainer around.

If Roehl is trusting you with their truck on these solos, and you're set to get your own, that's what it's all about.

Welcome to Trucking Truth and to your new trucking career, Danny.

It's awesome that you passed your CDL road test on your first go-round.

But it seems you a bit judgemental about your training. Did you know stuff before you took the class?

some (instructors) withheld valuable information (not on purpose, mind you) that we had to discover on our own throughout the course.

I'm a CDL instructor and, yes, my goal is to get information into your head as quickly as possible. But an important part of learning is self-discovery. I'll guide my students through the backing skills, and when they see how it all works on their own, they own it

Getting "clues" and "marks" on the first day is impossible. You need to understand how steering a tractor-trailer works before you can figure out how to back the trailer between cones.

Most of the truckers I've interviewed stated that the best training is actually getting on the road and getting that actual experience

This is true. Getting a freshly printed CDL in your hands does not make you a trucker. That hands-on experience comes after CR E hires you and puts you with an experienced driver who will polish you up to get your own truck.

I appreciate the detailed and pretty honest review of your training experience. Don't stop posting. Add a topic in our Training Diaries section.

One of Zomer's interests:

But I am more interested in W2, where you can get benefits.

Good move. If anyone offers you, a truck driver, a job paying cash or 1099, turn around and leave without even saying "Goodbye". That setup is actually illegal.

Your other thought about half-and-half work won't fly. No company will talk to a driver who has gone off to Margaritaville for six months then wants back in.