Straight To Solo With Experience

Hiya,

Was wondering if any of the major companies would let you go straight to solo, bypassing having to team with a trainer for weeks, if you have previous verifiable CDL experience?

Newly licensed, was thinking of going solo with a small mom and pop company before going into a company like Swift

Hi Joshua, and welcome to our forum!

Nobody looks forward to being cooped up in a truck with a stranger. Don't consider yourself unique in this issue.

The more important issue is that you need the training. Even if it seems unbearable to you, it is a very important part of your getting established in this career.

I can tell you I was miserable during my training. I didn't care for my trainer or his methods. I still learned a lot, and I'm quite sure I would have never made it by skipping that first four weeks with a trainer.

Here's the deal... You don't even have a clue about what you don't know. You have a CDL (congratulations), but it means nothing at this point. You need a gradual exposure to so many things right now. That is what that time with a trainer does. It helps you adjust to an entirely new lifestyle. Trust me, you'll be hurting your chances for success at this by avoiding the difficult parts of getting this career started.

Be brave and face the hard parts. There is no faking it in this career. If you think you can "fake it until you make it" you've already messed your trucking career up badly.

Who knows? You may end up with a great trainer who becomes a friend for life. It's happened to some in here.

I went with Schneider out of CDL school. Choose them because of only 5 days out with trainer. However had to attend Schneider Academy for 2 weeks prior to being sent out with trainer.

My trainer was worthless. Didn't learn a single thing from him. He refused to help with backing. It was all about the paycheck for him. I was driving 500+ miles a day from day 1. He didn't drive. I never stopped, only for his pee breaks probably why he was somewhat bearable. I couldn't imagine being with him for 4 weeks.

It's a total crapshoot if you'll actually get a trainer that'll teach.

I'd go with a mega carrier out of the gate. They have more resources and help. They also don't expect great things out of you right away like a mom and pop might. Also with a mega may get a mulligan or 2 with minor incidents. You might get canned from a smaller outfit if you're taking a lot longer to get in the flow and then have a minor incident.