Is This A Dangerous Practice? Feeling Some Anxiety.

Hey all,

Recently graduated CDL school, no experience other than the CDL training as far as driving a tractor trailer. I did pretty well on the driving, the pre trip, backing, etc. in school and road tests. Passed with flying colors, CDL in hand. That’s all.

I have just been scheduled to go to orientation for Trans Am Trucking. I understand from the recruiter that there will be a 7 day orientation, and if I pass their training, driving, and backing requirements, I will be sent post haste into the wild blue yonder as a solo “driver”. The recruiter said that they have no trainer/mentor program, which is something I was kind of looking forward to and counting on to actually learn the business and day to day details that you never think about until they arrive.

Am I making too much of this? Maybe it’s not that dangerous at all, but it seems kind of foolhardy to me. Now, I am very grateful that Trans Am is willing to take a chance on a new driver, don’t get me wrong! I had a dwi three and a half years ago that keeps me from some other companies that have established mentor programs.

I just understand that there is a LOT to learn, and there is a big step from getting a CDL to becoming a professional driver. I’m wondering if it’s possible to be successful in this without having a guiding hand to navigate these first steps, and if it is more common than I think to start this way as a new driver?

Thanks for any thoughts.

I see that you have extenuating circumstances with your dui but if you can find someone else that has a mentor program I would go with that. Different ppl have a mixed bag of experiences with their trainers but I KNOW I wasn’t ready to be solo after cdl school. Good luck

It is possible to step from CDL holder to professional driver but there is a HUGE learning curve. I wouldn't have wanted to do it. I didn't really learn a lot from my trainer but the basics were nice like how to handle picking up and dropping off loads, how paperwork is done, how to work the Qualcomm or other eld devices and so on. I've heard this of other TransAm newbies so it obviously can and does work. If you stay with them, the first TransAm driver you see at a truckstop...stop them and ask lots of questions!!!!

I agree with papa I graduated ahead of my class to but I found a mentor ship company cuz I know I need this help and guidance they offer

I see that you have extenuating circumstances with your dui but if you can find someone else that has a mentor program I would go with that. Different ppl have a mixed bag of experiences with their trainers but I KNOW I wasn’t ready to be solo after cdl school. Good luck

Application to Many Companies

Use the above application that lets you apply with the one app to a number of different companies. Expect many "No's", but there will be someone willing to give you a try. Don't leap at the first company.

Laura

Hey all,

Recently graduated CDL school, no experience other than the CDL training as far as driving a tractor trailer. I did pretty well on the driving, the pre trip, backing, etc. in school and road tests. Passed with flying colors, CDL in hand. That’s all.

I have just been scheduled to go to orientation for Trans Am Trucking. I understand from the recruiter that there will be a 7 day orientation, and if I pass their training, driving, and backing requirements, I will be sent post haste into the wild blue yonder as a solo “driver”. The recruiter said that they have no trainer/mentor program, which is something I was kind of looking forward to and counting on to actually learn the business and day to day details that you never think about until they arrive.

Am I making too much of this? Maybe it’s not that dangerous at all, but it seems kind of foolhardy to me. Now, I am very grateful that Trans Am is willing to take a chance on a new driver, don’t get me wrong! I had a dwi three and a half years ago that keeps me from some other companies that have established mentor programs.

I just understand that there is a LOT to learn, and there is a big step from getting a CDL to becoming a professional driver. I’m wondering if it’s possible to be successful in this without having a guiding hand to navigate these first steps, and if it is more common than I think to start this way as a new driver?

Thanks for any thoughts.

Hey Alex, I totally understand you. I graduated from my school a week ago and starting my training next Monday. 2 weeks class training and then about one week behind the wheel with trainer on the passenger seat. Off course that makes me nervous. Only one week and then Im solo...(( it sounds too short time for me.. And you even have NO ride with mentor.. Just wish you good luck!

Im with Prime and have had my recent grad for 5 weeks and she asked me"how in the hell do these people learn this stuff in just a couple weeks."

Personally I feel that you need some one on one time out there doing the job. There's just so much to learn that even those who have 3 weeks of being with a mentor feel it isnt enough. For instance, if all you do is hands in training doing local/city runs you're not going to experience mountains and how to navigate them in most cases, or how wet roads will change how you descend them.

Trans am must have some success running things that way or they wouldn't be doing it. In most cases business decisions are based on how it affects their bottom line. They must have determined that even if they provide (what I believe is) inadequate training the savings from not mentoring outweighs the costs of turnover, accidents and other factors. It may have something to do with trans am being more lenient and hiring drivers that other companies won't touch for various reasons including criminal or poor driving records, I'm not sure.

I’d like to thank you all for the input on my question. It looks like it comes down to do or don’t.

At this point, I have to do....I really do appreciate the interaction here and hopefully it will help as I go along. I’m just going to keep safety foremost, and be patient, and pick up what I can along the way.

I’d like to thank you all for the input on my question. It looks like it comes down to do or don’t.

At this point, I have to do....I really do appreciate the interaction here and hopefully it will help as I go along. I’m just going to keep safety foremost, and be patient, and pick up what I can along the way.

Best wishes going forward. Personally, I'd back out and search another avenue; but if you are committed, so be it.

First and foremost, DO NOT LET THEM TALK YOU INTO LEASING ~!!!!

Guys and gals, I've been reading 'elsewhere' that this is Trans Am's 'new' gig since eliminating trainers; forcing lease in a roundabout sort of way.

Best of luck, Alex~!!

~ Anne ~