Would You Answer A Few Questions About Truck Driving Training For Me? Your Opinions And Experience Would Be Helpful.

Greetings! I am Rex. I am a 25 year trucking vet, and last 4 years CDL Instructor for a Vocational College here in Southwest Missouri. I will soon be placement coordinator. "meaning my job will be to help our graduates a find a trucking job". I would like to hear your answers on a few questions. I am not necessarily wanting to debate the topics, but rather simply hear other opinions, and or what you may know about the topic.

1) What do you know about the ELDT Mandate happening coming Feb 2022? Have you read anything about it? Has your company mentioned anything as to their plans?

2) On a scale of 1 to5, what is your opinion of trucking schools? 1 being absolutely horrible, and 5 being extremely good.

3) If you could build your own trucking school, what would it be like? Example of some things you would absolutely not teach or absolutely would teach.

4) Is the trucking industry better or worse today than it was back 10 or 20 years ago?

These are just a few questions I would like to have your thoughts or opinions on, perhaps even your personal story. I appreciate your time and help.

Rex

1. Heard about it here on this forum. Won't affect me.

2. 1. HORRIBLE. Went to Sage Driving School. My brother went to one in IL. Neither of us got taught very much. In fact, my schooling in 2014 did not teach anything about logging as "you will have electronic logs that will keep track of your time". Yeah, right, ran paper (many illegal trips) til 2017 after a company I was driving for got shut down by DOT permanently. Plus, had DOT Foods come by and got told about May and Doug Andrus....none offered a job...basically was on my own to find one.

3. I wouldn't. I believe strictly in company schools.

4. Better now. I drove with a chauffeur's license from '88 to '93. Came back out on the road Sept 2014. A lot of old timers say that they hate the ELDs cause they can't stop to take a nap....BS! on straight drive days one has up to 3 hrs on their 14 to take a nap. On un/loading days, there may be less time, but a short nap can still be snuck in. It was nothing for the husband to take off and drive from Idaho to Los Angeles and back with maybe a 2 hr nap (1550 miles r/t), grab 6 hrs and do it again. Many guys did that, running 2-3 log books. That's what they really want to do still. What they don't realize is that there were just as many accidents back then per 1000 trucks as now....just that there wasn't an internet to see all of the wrecks, like there is now.

While I believe that there are drugs and alcohol being used by drivers now, back when I drove the first time, it was rampant! I got approached to buy drugs regularly, which I never did do. Now, drinking and driving? LOTS of that also....including me....mainly a beer with a meal but the husband would polish off a 6 pack and do his 10 hrs. Drivers caused the stricter rules to be written and implemented.

What these 30-40 year veteran drivers don't like is change....I understand, I hate change also. However, in the last 30-40 years, our country has seen a boom of new innovations. At 70, I have seen so much change in television, telecommunications, medical and even trucks, that one has to accept it and go with the flow or get run over.

Gotta hit the sack....want to start my 10 hours earlier when I get up.

Laura

1. It appears the ELDT won't pertain to me. My company only hires experienced drivers, so it likely won't have much of an impact on my company.

2. I can only speak for the one I attended (TDI Milton, FL). I rate it a 4. TDI covered everything needed for my CDL. I saw none of the horror stories I hear about other schools. I feel very fortunate my school was well-staffed while I was there.

3. I probably would run it much the same as TDI Milton, FL was. Myself and the other drivers I know that graduated from TDI, haven't experienced anything we felt like was missed. While it's a short course, we got what we needed and continue to roll on. One thing I'd definitely add, if I ran a school, is a requirement to review THIS site AND do the High Road Training Program. I'd even consider a contractual agreement with Brett and Trucking Truth. It's that good. I obtained my CDL Permit prior to attending school, just from completing the HRTP.

4. I've only been driving for about seven years. Tomato to-mah-to. I've had mostly new trucks. I don't have to be a mechanic. My company can't force me to run illegally on hours of service. On the other hand, hours of service rules probably limits (to some degree) the amount of money I can earn. Of course, who cares how much money I can earn if I'm dead from a fatigue-induced crash?

I came to this job out of necessity, got my CDL at 53 years old and am eternally grateful the school I attended had three retired Schneider Drivers. They were committed to safety and had a great attitude. It helped that (following advice from here on Trucking Truth) I brought a positive attitude with me.

With all the changes (regulations, economic, political, manufacturing, etc) coming faster and faster it's hard to tell what the future of trucking will be. And then there's the whole autonomous truck thing. Frankly, I'm surprised someone hasn't figured out how to use powerful drones to lift 53' containers (we already have helicopters that can) and transport freight, by air, to distribution centers, drop them right in a door for loading/unloading. The over-the-road drivers of the next hundred years just might be drone pilots.

Good luck with your new position. I hope it delivers all you want it to. And I hope this helps.