Need Help, Returning Rookie Going Solo
Topic 4748 | Page 1
Hi Rita, Take a deep breath,relax. You are way ahead of the game here. If you want to talk about nerves..... Anyway I was sure there was some kind of retraining after a year. I am not even in school yet. But an experienced driver will be with you shortly lol.( they will really) Take a look around this site lots of info available. Best of luck to you.
Hi Rita, Take a deep breath,relax. You are way ahead of the game here. If you want to talk about nerves..... Anyway I was sure there was some kind of retraining after a year. I am not even in school yet. But an experienced driver will be with you shortly lol.( they will really) Take a look around this site lots of info available. Best of luck to you.
Thanks Mikki I have been in your shoes before too. You'll be just fine ! My instructor in school LOVED to train women because he said they learn faster and make better drivers! I am looking at ALL I can find on the net. I just need to find someone willing to hold my hand a little :-)
Rita...can you possibly go back to the school that trained you and go thru a refresher ??? explain the areas that your hubby didn't train you in, that you need to BE trained in.....infact, when you talk to ANY recruiter, tell them that very same thing. Once you've driven a sift transmission, it WILL come back to you...just some practice...but the backing...you need refresher training. Trip planning, and the other things will be taught by whatever trainer you go with. You have all the basics...you just need some help in some areas...and trust me...you are not the first...Ask Redgator, we know someone who got babied just like you...but a trainer did it !!! After she went solo, she had one hard time taeching herself all the stuff that guy "did" for her, out of kindness ( and the idea that women aren't real smart, I think). Anyway...YOU CAN DO IT !!!! And we are here to help......so get going....talk to your old school...if not, then put in those apps ( theres a link for that on here) and go thru the High ROad triaing on here to refresh yourself on all the other stuff...and BTW...Redgator is the Trip Planning QUEEN !!!
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Rita...can you possibly go back to the school that trained you and go thru a refresher ??? explain the areas that your hubby didn't train you in, that you need to BE trained in.....infact, when you talk to ANY recruiter, tell them that very same thing. Once you've driven a sift transmission, it WILL come back to you...just some practice...but the backing...you need refresher training. Trip planning, and the other things will be taught by whatever trainer you go with. You have all the basics...you just need some help in some areas...and trust me...you are not the first...Ask Redgator, we know someone who got babied just like you...but a trainer did it !!! After she went solo, she had one hard time taeching herself all the stuff that guy "did" for her, out of kindness ( and the idea that women aren't real smart, I think). Anyway...YOU CAN DO IT !!!! And we are here to help......so get going....talk to your old school...if not, then put in those apps ( theres a link for that on here) and go thru the High ROad triaing on here to refresh yourself on all the other stuff...and BTW...Redgator is the Trip Planning QUEEN !!!
Thanks Starcar I am trying to find out about the school I went to, but it is 6 1/2 hours away from me. I do talk to all the recruiters about my problem. I am looking at Transport America and Averitt. They both have refreshers, and Averitt has automatics, and they both have great pay and benefits. Averitt does not have a pet policy, so hubby can't join me if we decided to team, which may be a blessing anyway! I appreciate the encouragement! I am sure it will come back to me, the shifting, but with only 8 months of shifting I never was that great. I do know this is VERY frustrating! I need training, I need my dog on the truck, I need my hubby to MAYBE join me later, and noone offers ALL of that !!! Ughhhhhh!
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
I never understood why companies don't like dogs !!!! They are perfect...they get the driver out of the seat about every 2 hours, so the driver stays fresh, The dog protects the truck and the driver...and because the dog is the drivers buddy, drivers tend to not get so homesick, so they stay out longer.... So other than some hair floating around.....whats not to like ?????
You maybe my ticket back in. I have been out of the truck for 6 years, I let my cdl lapse. I am working on getting back into the truck, testing, etc. I also spoke with transport America. I will take my testing soon and rent a truck to do the driver road exam. I was a driver trainer for several years. Transport America said they would hire me once I had my cdl. No schooling again. I also live in NE texas near Marshall/Longview. let me know if you want to talk. I can definitely teach you how to plan a trip and back. My best friend Candy just hired onto Transport America with her husband and they can help with the company macros etc......
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
You maybe my ticket back in. I have been out of the truck for 6 years, I let my cdl lapse. I am working on getting back into the truck, testing, etc. I also spoke with transport America. I will take my testing soon and rent a truck to do the driver road exam. I was a driver trainer for several years. Transport America said they would hire me once I had my cdl. No schooling again. I also live in NE texas near Marshall/Longview. let me know if you want to talk. I can definitely teach you how to plan a trip and back. My best friend Candy just hired onto Transport America with her husband and they can help with the company macros etc......
Thanks...not sure now about Transport America. I am looking at Roadmasters refresher. My daughter lives in Memphis, TN and wants to go to school with me and team with me. Roadmasters has job placement and I am going to see if Transport America will pay the tuition. They want $6000.00 and they say they can guarantee me a job with Stevens and Stevens will pay 90%. I am still searching my options. I live in Sulphur Springs so you are not far from me! I will keep you informed with what I find out.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.
Rita....don't sell yourself short !!!! You have alot of otr experience, even if its old.....its still worth something !!!! Be sure and expand your circle of research...find the best deal you can....push the fact that you do have otr experience....they would be getting a driver who knew what its like out there, not a rookie....
Stevens.....imho......sssshhhuuuddddeeeeerrrrr
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
Rita....don't sell yourself short !!!! You have alot of otr experience, even if its old.....its still worth something !!!! Be sure and expand your circle of research...find the best deal you can....push the fact that you do have otr experience....they would be getting a driver who knew what its like out there, not a rookie....
Stevens.....imho......sssshhhuuuddddeeeeerrrrr
Hey Starcar....I know it's been a while. Thanks for your input. I have decided to go with Roadmaster, then I will be trying to get on with Knight. I decided I just don't feel comfortable about driving without some refresher course. If I don't feel safe, I should not be behind the wheel. I know one of my greatest fears (had this happen to me before) is being on the upside of a mountain and the traffic comes to stop and go and I can't get a gear and start to roll back and end up popping the clutch, killing the truck, and I am alone! (when it happened the first time, my husband jumped behind the wheel ! ) Anyway, I will start refresher on Monday the 29th. I am excited! It feels like the first time I ever drove though. My plan is to work six months to a year and then be a trainer. I will still keep in touch and let you know how it's going. I posted on the general section, but no reply. BOYS!
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.New Reply:
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Hi ladies ! I am new here. I have a need for a lot of help! From anyone! I drove OTR team with my husband for 3 years. The problem I have is that he did everything! Now he is hauling mobile homes and I don't want to. He wanted me to stay home, which I have for almost a year. I love driving and need to get back in. I only drove manual shift for about 8 months, automatics since then. I never was good at shifting in the first place. He did all the backing and load locks and trip plans.....etc.. Now I need to go solo. I need to find a refresher company, that will let me bring my dog with me later, and my husband may join me after the first of the year. All the companies I contact just say Oh you have 3 years you'll be fine! Well I am not fine !!! I am scared of all of it ! The shifting, trip planning, truck stops, backing etc. Any help or suggestions will be very appreciated. I live N.E. of Dallas, Tx. I went to a great school in 2010.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.