Going Out OTR Soon

Hey, all.

I haven't been around lately. I am at orientation now. Just waiting in motel room for the company to call and get all the paperwork stuff ready. And then I guess they set me up with a trainer on the road. Just waiting for the drug screen and work history, then they'll call.

I am going with Western Express. A few companies wouldn't take me because I need more experience in backing. I even just paid for yet another course on backing. And it really helped me!!

So far, everyone here at Western has been super nice. All people in the office, instructors are really nice. My recruiter was really nice, she kept in contact with me regularly. I can not say that about the other recruiters i've spoken to.

Just wanted to touch base again. A little nervous about being on the road with a stranger/trainer. But if they can teach me, I'm in!!!

Thanks!

DrumMum, Congratulations!

Allow me to help you set some proper expectations. Your trainer is going to be more interested in you getting things done than they are in actually taking the time to give you hands on instruction. They are going to want to sleep while you drive and drive while you sleep. That doesn't sound like a very educational environment does it?

Almost every new driver thinks they are going to be having all this stuff spoon fed to them, while most of the trainers are just wanting you to drive the truck and turn some miles. There's something to be said for this approach. For one thing most good truck drivers are very independent self starters. They like to get things done, and they don't waste a lot of time about it. By putting you right into the thick of things, they figure if you've got the right temperament, you'll adjust and make things happen. They figure you'll learn by doing. They want to expose you to the realities of tough schedules, and demanding circumstances.

Do you think you can handle that type of training? My guess is that it will be very much close to what I'm sharing with you. I'm not trying to disturb you or frighten you into turning back. I want you to succeed, but I've watched so many people give up after just a few weeks with their trainer solely because they had completely opposite ideas of how it would be done.

You're going to be delivering actual loads with actual scheduled delivery appointments. There will be pressure on you to get it done. Your trainer will want to be getting as much done as the two of you possibly can. The company knows you are going to be under pressure. They would like to see how you handle it. If you can hold up and be productive, it bodes well for your future career. If you bust into tears wanting to go home they will be glad they found out early on how the pressure affects you.

There are reasons for this brutal training period. Being a rookie truck driver can and will be brutal. You need to get a grasp on what it's like. Oh, it gets better, but those first few months are critically important and you've got to muscle through them as best you can if you really want to make a go of this.

Here's two resources I highly recommend for any new driver just getting started with a trainer. The first one is an article you should read. The second is a podcast you should listen to.

What Should I Expect To Learn From My Trainer?

The Boot Camp Approach To Truck Driver Training

Allow me to help you set some proper expectations. Your trainer is going to be more interested in you getting things done than they are in actually taking the time to give you hands on instruction. They are going to want to sleep while you drive and drive while you sleep. That doesn't sound like a very educational environment does it?

Almost every new driver thinks they are going to be having all this stuff spoon fed to them, while most of the trainers are just wanting you to drive the truck and turn some miles. There's something to be said for this approach. For one thing most good truck drivers are very independent self starters. They like to get things done, and they don't waste a lot of time about it. By putting you right into the thick of things, they figure if you've got the right temperament, you'll adjust and make things happen. They figure you'll learn by doing. They want to expose you to the realities of tough schedules, and demanding circumstances.

Do you think you can handle that type of training? My guess is that it will be very much close to what I'm sharing with you. I'm not trying to disturb you or frighten you into turning back. I want you to succeed, but I've watched so many people give up after just a few weeks with their trainer solely because they had completely opposite ideas of how it would be done.

You're going to be delivering actual loads with actual scheduled delivery appointments. There will be pressure on you to get it done. Your trainer will want to be getting as much done as the two of you possibly can. The company knows you are going to be under pressure. They would like to see how you handle it. If you can hold up and be productive, it bodes well for your future career. If you bust into tears wanting to go home they will be glad they found out early on how the pressure affects you.

There are reasons for this brutal training period. Being a rookie truck driver can and will be brutal. You need to get a grasp on what it's like. Oh, it gets better, but those first few months are critically important and you've got to muscle through them as best you can if you really want to make a go of this.

Here's two resources I highly recommend for any new driver just getting started with a trainer. The first one is an article you should read. The second is a podcast you should listen to.

What Should I Expect To Learn From My Trainer?

The Boot Camp Approach To Truck Driver Training

Hi, Old School.

I was hoping to hear from you!! That's kind of what I thought it would be like! I am used to driving bigger trucks, but no real experience with trailers. All I'm worried about is being able to get that sucker parked in the dock! If a trainer can get me to do that, I'll be happy!!!

I appreciate your insight! I figured it will be like boot camp. I will go back and reread the articles you referenced.

Thanks, again.

Christi

I give my trainees a few tips the first couple days and practice in truck stops, and after that they have to do all the docks and parking themselves. Im not GOALing or spotting for them because i wont be there when they go solo. They need to learn to do it now.

Sounds mean, but most effective. Try to get your trainer to let you do all of the backing. practice is the key and good luck

Rainy, I bet you couldn't be mean if you tried. Just a very effective trainer. When I was driving for Conway Southern Express as a driver/trainer I too would take every future prospect to a truck stop or warehouse setting to practice backing, go over all paperwork and procedures and I even bought them lunch their first day out. Then like you it was all on them to learn and proceed because there are no baby sitters.

I try to have my trainees do EVERYTHING as much as possible from day one. That way, they KNOW they can do the job when it's time to go solo and I can see where they may struggle.

Yes, if they get frustrated, I'll step in if they've given up, but I'll do everything I can to encourage them to not give up.. even if it takes 45 minutes for them to get in that first dock... I don't care. I try to get in some backing practice at a truck stop or company terminal or drop yard, before we go to places that I know are not so kind to those who are learning to back... Just depends on where we're delivering or picking up at.

Yes, it takes them longer to enter the proper macros correctly, but practice makes perfect.

Yes, they'll struggle with frozen landing gears, stuck tandems , trailer doors that are bound up and a variety of problems we deal with daily out here. But they'll know what to do when they're on their own.

The good thing is it's up to me if we team after they've been with me 2 weeks, and I don't team with trainees, generally. I'm right there every step of the way to assist, offer advice, answer questions, and show them the ropes and when it's time for that 10 hour break, the truck is parked.

Before they test out, I'm going to have them run a couple of loads by themselves.. with no input from me (unless it becomes some sort of situation). That way when they do go solo, they're not terrified, because they have the confidence and truly know they can do this job. Basically I'll sit in the sleeper and tell them to forget I'm in the truck. I'll be back there doing paperwork, cleaning/organizing, or whatever.

Call me mean, but I have quite a few trainees who've actually stuck with it and are still driving for our company and doing really well. It's nice when we actually become friends, but yeah, I've had at least one who I'm sure really hated/hates me lol. Again, IDC, because they're a damn good driver so I did my job.