New Female Truck Driver Training Question

Kayakngal, Don't worry about that hair test, it's not gonna pick up any herbal supplements or such as that. Also, just so you understand, anytime you start a truck driving job it is a law that your new employer do a new DOT physical on you - that's why you going through that again. And one last thing, Schneider is a great company with lots of opportunities, and they are (in my opinion) one of the more female friendly companies. Best of luck to ya!

Thank you! I thought the same after talking with one of my CDL classmates whose training with them - he'd tell me if they weren't good. He used to be a driver then moved to another state and let his license lapse so, he had to go back to school. He told me a few companies to avoid like the plague too but, I won't mention those in public forum :)

Thanks for the support!!

I too had to wait for a female trainer. My company doesn't allow mixed training. However my company put me in a hotel and trained me with local guys until by female trainer came back and I could do 3 weeks with her. I too got very frustrated but I didn't give up and am very happy with my company. Good luck on your company. I almost went with Schneider too but didn't for 2 reasons. 1. They wouldn't let me go OTR only regional and 2. They wanted me to share a truck so every 6 days Id have to take my stuff out for another driver, um no thank you:) I don't know if they still don't but they weren't allowing idling while parked unless it was above 90 degress or below 30, and they don't have apu's so that would have been a definate can't do it for me. They are a really good company though. Good luck:)

Regional:

Regional Route

Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.

OTR:

Over The Road

OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.

OWI:

Operating While Intoxicated

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

APU's:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

I too had to wait for a female trainer. My company doesn't allow mixed training. However my company put me in a hotel and trained me with local guys until by female trainer came back and I could do 3 weeks with her. I too got very frustrated but I didn't give up and am very happy with my company. Good luck on your company. I almost went with Schneider too but didn't for 2 reasons. 1. They wouldn't let me go OTR only regional and 2. They wanted me to share a truck so every 6 days Id have to take my stuff out for another driver, um no thank you:) I don't know if they still don't but they weren't allowing idling while parked unless it was above 90 degress or below 30, and they don't have apu's so that would have been a definate can't do it for me. They are a really good company though. Good luck:)

Ugh that's not good because I'm supposed to be OTR too. I wish the company I've been waiting for would train me at their terminal , office location like your company did. That would really ease my mind and make me feel much more secure about my decision. There are a couple of pros about Schneider - one is that I live about 20 minutes from a terminal and the other is the training time and, the fact that one is only OTR for one week, opposed to 8 wks, with a trainer. There is still training at the terminals, on the road with a trainer, etc while you stay at a hotel.

Truthfully, I don't want to give up on the company I originally chose but, I'm afraid they will not be able to get a non smoking female trainer for another month. So, it's like a gamble. If I had a spouse pulling in some money it would be much easier to wait but, that's not the case so I'm crazy anxious about this. Crazy anxious ... like I cant even explain.

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.

Regional:

Regional Route

Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.

OTR:

Over The Road

OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.

HOS:

Hours Of Service

HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.

OWI:

Operating While Intoxicated

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

APU's:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

I too had to wait for a female trainer. My company doesn't allow mixed training. However my company put me in a hotel and trained me with local guys until by female trainer came back and I could do 3 weeks with her. I too got very frustrated but I didn't give up and am very happy with my company. Good luck on your company. I almost went with Schneider too but didn't for 2 reasons. 1. They wouldn't let me go OTR only regional and 2. They wanted me to share a truck so every 6 days Id have to take my stuff out for another driver, um no thank you:) I don't know if they still don't but they weren't allowing idling while parked unless it was above 90 degress or below 30, and they don't have apu's so that would have been a definate can't do it for me. They are a really good company though. Good luck:)

Ugh that's not good because I'm supposed to be OTR too. I wish the company I've been waiting for would train me at their terminal , office location like your company did. That would really ease my mind and make me feel much more secure about my decision. There are a couple of pros about Schneider - one is that I live about 20 minutes from a terminal and the other is the training time and, the fact that one is only OTR for one week, opposed to 8 wks, with a trainer. There is still training at the terminals, on the road with a trainer, etc while you stay at a hotel.

Truthfully, I don't want to give up on the company I originally chose but, I'm afraid they will not be able to get a non smoking female trainer for another month. So, it's like a gamble. If I had a spouse pulling in some money it would be much easier to wait but, that's not the case so I'm crazy anxious about this. Crazy anxious ... like I cant even explain.

Take a deep breath...let it out...now relax! :) You're gonna do fine! Don't sweat it. The hair follicle thing isn't too much of a worry either..as I understand it, they test back about 6 month..which means they only use about the first 1 1/2 to 2 inches of your hair from the root..the rest they aren't suppose to be able to use and should discard..I am glad you are moving forward even if it isn't with your first choice company. I'm getting so excited about this..everybody seems to be having nerves and fits and then BAM! They make the jump and they're off to the races..I think it would be really cool if one day I'm in a TS or a shipper or receiver and somebody yells, "Hey Guy" and it turns out to be someone off this forum. I think it's gonna feel like we've been friends before we ever even met just because everyone is friendly and shares so much of their lives with the rest of us..

Shipper:

The customer who is shipping the freight. This is where the driver will pick up a load and then deliver it to the receiver or consignee.

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.

Regional:

Regional Route

Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.

OTR:

Over The Road

OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.

HOS:

Hours Of Service

HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.

OWI:

Operating While Intoxicated

APU:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

APU's:

Auxiliary Power Unit

On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.

Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.

Yes Guy I see that happening eventually. And thanks for the support - I took a breather and a few things developed in the last few hours. My original choice of companies called me and gave me a definitive starting date with a non smoking woman - literally as I was leaving to drug test for another company.

Divine intervention?? Hmmm, I'll take what I'm given. So, I have a start date and driving there soon. Very happy and excited. It's been a whirlwind day. And, yes everyone is nice and very open here. Love it.

Thats Great Kayakngal !!! Good Luck !!

Great so happy for you! Glad you got to go where you wanted! I can't wait to get started also...one minute cold feet next minute on cloud nine! Keep us updated!

Thats Great Kayakngal !!! Good Luck !!

Thank you Starcar!! I pick up a rental next Sunday for the long drive then start the 18th. Very cool to have a game plan now...very cool.

I was wondering about showers when your on the road. Do you get free showers by using the company credit card for fuel or is it different for each company? What's the standard day to day deal?

Yeah, I am interested about the shower thing too.

Great so happy for you! Glad you got to go where you wanted! I can't wait to get started also...one minute cold feet next minute on cloud nine! Keep us updated!

Thank you!! Yes, the cold feet will not go away until you're sitting in a truck and driving it with confidence. At least that's how it was for me. Actually, driving isn't difficult as long as you're not forgetful about details. Maintain your cloud nine feeling as long as possible when it comes because it's a bit of a roller caoster for a while. I'm still on the ride and yes, I'll keep you updated :)