Orientation Questions
Topic 11829 | Page 1
Dave, you almost answered your own questions.
My question is what happens if you go to orientation and for some reason you fail a physical and they don't hire you? Do they pay for you to get home or are you on your own? Would a bus ticket only be a one way and you have to find your own way home
Generally you'll get a ticket home if things don't turn out. BUT a failed drug test and the usual misbehavior (fighting, drinking, women, etc.) you can walk home.
What about the money they spent to put you in a hotel?? Do you end up paying them back?
Should not be an issue. The company buys the rooms wholesale, so they won't break out your part.
Also I have been told If I do drive and get hired then I would be on the road right after orientation and take the truck home with me,. How would I get to my car?
You have been told correctly. There would be a time you need to get the car back home. If you live over 200 miles away, just leave the wheels at home, ride the grey dog. This is definitely a recruiter question.
I also have no place to park a tractor trailer by my house so why wouldn't I be able to leave the truck at the nearest terminal and drive myself home and drive back to get my truck?
Nearby terminal (where you park your car when you're on the road), a local truck stop, places like that.
You should check with your recruiter for these questions.
Trucking Truth's recommendation is to get your physical and CDL permit now, before you go to school. Then you shouldn't have to worry so much about "failing" it.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
I have my CDL license but my physical expired so I have to renew it to get my CDL restored I'm not worried about failing a drug test my main concern is the physical I have a bad astigmatism and always have trouble reading an eye chart plus I'm deaf in my left ear even though I passed the force whisper test when I went for my first medical I always worry in the back of my mind about having trouble passing the physical plus I have to take 2 one for the DOT then another one when I go to orientation
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
New Reply:
New! Check out our help videos for a better understanding of our forum features
Preview:
Why Join Trucking Truth?
- The High Road Training Program
- The High Road Article Series
- The Friendliest Trucker's Forum Ever!
- Email Updates When New Articles Are Posted
Apply For Paid CDL Training Through TruckingTruth
Did you know you can fill out one quick form here on TruckingTruth and apply to several companies at once for paid CDL training? Seriously! The application only takes one minute. You will speak with recruiters today. There is no obligation whatsoever. Learn more and apply here:
TT On Facebook
I have a few questions about going to orientation every company I spoke to has offered to send me a bus ticket and pay for a place to stay while going through the orientation process. I prefer to drive rather then take a bus and all have said I can drive and they will reimburse me up to the price of the ticket. My question is what happens if you go to orientation and for some reason you fail a physical and they don't hire you? Do they pay for you to get home or are you on your own? Would a bus ticket only be a one way and you have to find your own way home?? What about the money they spent to put you in a hotel?? Do you end up paying them back? Also I have been told If I do drive and get hired then I would be on the road right after orientation and take the truck home with me,. How would I get to my car? I also have no place to park a tractor trailer by my house so why wouldn't I be able to leave the truck at the nearest terminal and drive myself home and drive back to get my truck?
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.