Proper Attitude

What is the best attitude to bring to orientation. How to act to dress. Is it good to ask alot of questions?

First and foremost, drop any preconceived notions you had about the trucking industry, and come to orientation with an absolutely open mind. By that I mean people often have certain expectations of how the industry works, and are sorely disappointed when they find out things are sometimes totally opposite.

"Act" is probably the wrong word, because you want your approach to be genuine. Come to orientation 100% ready to learn from the experts.

Dress casually but appropriately. Clean jeans, decent shirt. Don't knock yourself out, but don't appear like a bum either.

Questions are okay, but only if they pertain to the subject being discussed. In other words, don't just out of the blue ask something like "Can I get a red truck? That's my favorite color." Mostly just listen and learn. Don't be that guy who continually disrupts the class by bringing up an endless array of questions. Chances are any questions you have will be brought up at some point without you even having to ask. These companies have been doing orientations for a long time, and they already know what you need to know.

Lastly, Old School shared this knowledge some time ago. It mostly applies to someone going solo, but can also serve you well in orientation.

Okay, here's the things that I think are important for a rookie to have with them when they are just starting out:

1) Make sure you have a great attitude packed away somewhere - you're gonna need it for sure.

2) Plenty of humility - yeah, you're gonna need plenty of that also.

3) A big can of whoop-ass - there are gonna be problems you are going to have to face - and you need to be able to "whoop" em.

4) A "can do" spirit. It's really tough being a new rookie driver out here, you'll need this two or three times a day.

5) A big dose of Independence - You're all by yourself out here - the last thing your dispatcher needs is you ringing his phone off the wall.

6) Lots of confidence - everyday you will be challenged by things you've never faced before - some confidence will go a long ways to help you.

7) A willingness to learn - I'm still learning stuff about how to succeed in this career everyday - if you stop learning you need to hang up your keys.

8) A willingness to help others - I do this everyday - there are a lot of clueless newbies out here - try to lend a hand when you see someone in need.

9) A Motor Carriers Atlas - I hope I don't need top explain that one.

10) A Merle Haggard C.D. - no self-respecting truck driver hits the road without taking the Mighty Merle along for the ride!

I might write down a bunch if questions I might have before hand, and check them off as they go. If any left over i could always ask after class if possible. I know its not all freedom and a glory filled career, but I think its somthing you get back what you out in it. My rookie season going to be a real learning experience, first goal saftey,then proficiency.

Bring your most positive attitude. Listen.

Let someone else be the problem child (there’s always one).

As for clothes, bring what they tell you.

Stay positive. It doesn’t matter what they call you as long as at the end, they call you DRIVER.

😎

Amen to that

Bring your most positive attitude. Listen.

Let someone else be the problem child (there’s always one).

As for clothes, bring what they tell you.

Stay positive. It doesn’t matter what they call you as long as at the end, they call you DRIVER.

😎