Winter, Spring, Summer Or Fall ?

Hello everyone !! 48 year old navy vet here. I have been watching and reading the post here (trolling) for a few months now. Great site BTW. Been thinking about trucking for awhile now and I haven't seen any questions on training and the time of year. Would it be a good idea to start CDL training in the winter months or wait till spring? My thinking is that if I start in the winter I could get some good on the road training with the hazards of snow and ice with the trainer, instead of being left to find things out on my own after a spring or summer class. What do you guys think?

Hello everyone !! 48 year old navy vet here. I have been watching and reading the post here (trolling) for a few months now. Great site BTW. Been thinking about trucking for awhile now and I haven't seen any questions on training and the time of year. Would it be a good idea to start CDL training in the winter months or wait till spring? My thinking is that if I start in the winter I could get some good on the road training with the hazards of snow and ice with the trainer, instead of being left to find things out on my own after a spring or summer class. What do you guys think?

Hey Mike, I've been thinking the same way too but on the flip side I also think about if that driver is safe and that he won't try anything risky just for some $$$. I will be team driving with my husband so I am also worried if his driver will be safe as well. I know Knight do not operate as a team during training so that would put me at ease if I go with them. Well good luck to you and let us know what you choose. Oh and this is a great site! I love it! Thank you Bret!

Great post and question. I've thought about it, too. I rather be with the trainer during the winter for that reason, though. Being from Florida, I've seen snow like...once in my entire life, so I rather get familiar with the conditions and even knowing when it's not safe to drive through them. Hopefully it's a good and safe trainer is all! I don't want to find out when I'm solo D:

I'm not sure there's a right or wrong answer for this. I can see both sides of it. Having a trainer with you during the winter would help you get some good advice about handling the weather and slick roads. But at the same time training is really stressful as it is and doing it during the winter is going to make it that much more stressful.

So I think it's really just a matter of personal preference. It will work out fine either way.

Hello everyone !! 48 year old navy vet here. I have been watching and reading the post here (trolling) for a few months now. Great site BTW. Been thinking about trucking for awhile now and I haven't seen any questions on training and the time of year. Would it be a good idea to start CDL training in the winter months or wait till spring? My thinking is that if I start in the winter I could get some good on the road training with the hazards of snow and ice with the trainer, instead of being left to find things out on my own after a spring or summer class. What do you guys think?

I started training in December last year and was with my trainer through all those ice storms. I wanted some time on bad roads while with the trainer but had I been able to start sooner in the year I probably would not have put it off just to hope for ice and snow.

I know Knight do not operate as a team during training so that would put me at ease if I go with them.

While Knight does not dispatch as a team do not be surprised if the trainer does not do some driving when the trainee runs out of hours to try and get in some extra loads. Of course it depends on the trainer but that was my experience. I like to call it a modified team experience. Just a little FYI.

Woody

Hello everyone !! 48 year old navy vet here.

While trying to figure out how to do the multiple quotes in my reply I forgot to say welcome to the forum and a sincere thank you for serving our country.

Woody

Whether you get any actual benefit from driving with a trainer in winter is going to depend almost entirely on your trainer. I was exposed to some winter driving on my trainer's truck, but I can't say it was much help. My trainer was one of those guys who thinks it's okay to do 50+ mph on snow-covered roads, and in my mind that's just plain stupid.

The main thing to remember about driving in winter weather is take it slow and easy. Leave lots of extra space between yourself and whoever is in front of you, don't make any sudden movements with the wheel, be gentle with the brakes, and if you don't feel safe to continue driving, don't. Park the truck and send a message to your fleet manager that the driving conditions are unsafe and you'll proceed when they've cleared. Trust me, no matter what company you drive for, they'd much rather the truck go nowhere than have it go sideways or off the road.

Whether you get any actual benefit from driving with a trainer in winter is going to depend almost entirely on your trainer. I was exposed to some winter driving on my trainer's truck, but I can't say it was much help. My trainer was one of those guys who thinks it's okay to do 50+ mph on snow-covered roads, and in my mind that's just plain stupid.

The main thing to remember about driving in winter weather is take it slow and easy. Leave lots of extra space between yourself and whoever is in front of you, don't make any sudden movements with the wheel, be gentle with the brakes, and if you don't feel safe to continue driving, don't. Park the truck and send a message to your fleet manager that the driving conditions are unsafe and you'll proceed when they've cleared. Trust me, no matter what company you drive for, they'd much rather the truck go nowhere than have it go sideways or off the road.

OMG! See that is what I am afraid of! . Not only for me but my husband! You don't know if it is black ice up under that snow. I really don't want to go in the winter time because I don't want to get anyone like that but then I want to have the trainer to teach me things while I am with him/her then doing it bymyself. Idk! I guess I have some thinking to do.

I ended my training in September (last year) and was on my own for winter. Cheryl has it right as far as how to handle it. Heck, the worst part for me was trying to back into docks with no reference lines and tight turns due to the plowing shrinking the maneuver area.

I ended my training in September (last year) and was on my own for winter. Cheryl has it right as far as how to handle it. Heck, the worst part for me was trying to back into docks with no reference lines and tight turns due to the plowing shrinking the maneuver area.

Wow.... See those are the little things that would better if I have a trainer with me..How did you handle it? and you are a solo driver!? Last winter was really bad too! Was it scary and did you have any bad experiences? Sorry for all the questions but I am trying to get any and all info before I make this move and the snow scares me. Well the black ice do.. What company are you with Rolling Thunder?