Comments By OtrEscapeArtist

Of course solid advice from G-Town. Pack your good attitude and desire to learn in your travel bag with the understanding that a company is willing to invest precious time and effort to facilitate putting you on a career path.

Work hard, study hard and have some fun along the way. Sucess is all up to you!! Best of luck out there!!

I came in with very little expectations. Of course I expected "training" but really left it there. I "trusted" I was with a group that had my success in their (out) best interest.

My expectations were put upon myself by myself. If that makes sense....lol..I expected to succeed and expected JPT had the tools and interest to facilitate that.

Plan for 4-5 weeks with no pay. Could be a tad less but I suggest to put some cushion in it if you have the ability to. You can draw $200 weekly advance paid back at $25 per paycheck.

By law (Montana), a CDL permit holder cannot test prior to 14 days post permit issue date.

I have a permit holder with me know. He spent a week training at terminal. I picked him up and we hit the road!! It will be approx 3.5 weeks total for him until CDL testing...He has had wheel for over 30+ hrs in one week covering city, mountain passes, day, night, docking, backing practise etc etc.

Once passing CDL A he will be an employee of Jim Palmer/Wilson Logistics and start his C and B seat class steps.

Rule #1 is plans will change. Not drastically but being flexible is a must... The dynamics of moving a ton of freight, equipment and people around 48 states 24/7 non-stop is challenge..lol...

*The learning curve for everyone is different. When with trainer on road its obviously a "close" training environment. We are a live truck moving goods!

I can't imagine the thinking of such a move like this...Anyway, when you park set trailer brakes (if its not 50 below zero) and put a tug on it.. Set tracor. Pressure on the pin will make handle unable to disengage locking mechanism. When leaving in morning you'll tug test with a simple backward forward pull... I get a visual anyway with a quick pretrip looking for damage and leaks while listen for air..

I can only speak from my experience with my company. That said, I expect similarly successful outfits operate alike.

Its understood "rookie mistakes" are part and parcel to this environment. Crawling before walking makes for sore knees aye....

A couple things YOU can bring to the table that if practised will help towards successfully getting in the game:

Honesty: Make a mistake and own it. Learn from it. Constructive criticism: Be able to accept. Don't personalize as being professionally criticized is part of the coaching process. Communicate: be straight forward. Discuss your concerns. Work hard: show your ambition and demonstrate your desire to learn.

This is a rough business. Think of the liability and risk these companies take. They've seen and heard every excuse and hard luck story in the book. If your hearts in it and you've got "stick to it" in ya, trust me the company will see it!!

I've surely made my mistakes in the short time I've been with company. No judging, in a negative sense, just help in making proper adjustment and on to the next challenge around the corner, litteraly...lolol..

Again, best of luck too you!

I've been a solo OTR driver for a short time. Came into the business with a couple years of 10-speed experience (dirt trucks) and many years within public safety.

Its been a challenge without doubt. I have worked hard and tried to do my best, finding frequently the need to "dig deep"

My company Jim Palmer Trucking asked me if I was interested in being a driver trainer.

I am now working with a "D Seat" apprentice and plan to stick with assisting CDL-A permit holders get rolling safely down the road with skill and confidence.

I sincerely thank all the professional drivers within this forum for sharing their lives and experience in order to honestly and openly inform, guide, teach and support all of us who enjoy this group, profession and sometimes crazy lifestyle.

Huge difference between being alone and loneliness.. I miss my family naturally, however, I'm not uncomfortable being alone. Don't really figure it's attributed to any certain activity as such. That said, routine seems to be important to a feeling of stability.

Hello Terry, what a blessing for you and most definitely your wife. You sound like a solid candidate for Jim Palmer. If you have some past experience the program may suit your ability and JPT's fast paced training. JPT has been up front and fair too me. Give them a ring and have a chat...Best of luck!

Most all routes that are not interstate or US highways make me wonder.

Right on man!...Jump on in... Best of luck.