Trucking Truth Blog: Articles Tagged 'The Economy And Politics'
I'm Becoming a CDL Instructor!
by TruckerMike
Trucker Mike shares his experience of becoming a CDL instructor and training a new driver. He explains the process of the CDL training program, the challenge for trucking companies, the driver trainer contract, and the importance of quality trainers. He also discusses the misconception of CDL programs being money makers and the importance of speaking up if you have a bad CDL instructor.
My First Solo Run Went Better Than I Expected
by JakeCat22
A truck driver shares their experience of their first solo trip, including the lessons they learned along the way. From picking up an empty trailer to dropping off a load, the driver recounts the problems they encountered and the lessons they learned.
Training Time Is Over And It's Time To Test
by JakeCat22
This article provides an overview of the tests truck drivers must take before being assigned their own truck. It covers the road test, coupling and uncoupling procedures, a skills test, a test on the Qualcomm, and a trip planning test. Tips and advice are provided for passing the tests and getting assigned a truck.
On The Road In Training: There's Been A Lot Of Ups And Downs
by JakeCat22
This article follows a new truck driver's journey as they learn the finer points of the trucking industry. From learning how to shift and scale a load, to the challenges of city driving and being away from family, the article provides an insightful look into the trucking industry.
On The Road In Training: Doing Things For The First Time
by JakeCat22
This first-hand account of a truck driver's first day out delivering loads details the excitement and challenges of the job. Learn about the difficulties of unloading a 53 foot trailer, driving in the dark, and the surprise of a truck stop shower.
My First Days On The Road With A Trainer
by JakeCat22
This article follows a truck driver's experience of meeting Bob the trainer and sleeping in the truck for the first time. It provides tips and advice on truck driver training.
Testing Time For Orientation Has Arrived
by JakeCat22
This article provides an overview of the truck driver training process, from learning to testing to graduating. It provides tips on how to pass the driving and written tests and explains the importance of following company policies and procedures.
The Meat And Potatoes Of Orientation
by JakeCat22
This article is for truck drivers and anyone in the trucking industry. It covers the 'meat and potatoes' of truck driver training, including post-trip inspections, backing, and coupling and uncoupling. It also covers the good days and bad days of training, as well as the skills testing that drivers must pass to become officially certified.
Judgment Day At Orientation
by JakeCat22
Day two of orientation was the most stressful yet, with a physical assessment test and driving simulator. The assessment tested various squats and lifting tasks, and the driving simulator tested how the driver would react to different scenarios. After the assessment, everyone passed and the instructor said they would teach the company's way of shifting and downshifting next week.
Finding A Career I'm Passionate About
by TaoTrucker
This article tells the story of one student's journey to truck driving school. The student found that the school was only three weeks long and that tuition was paid for by trucking companies. The student also found that the local city was a hotbed of terminals for trucking companies. This article is a great resource for anyone considering truck driving school.
My First Day Of Orientation
by JakeCat22
Today was a truck driver's first day of company orientation. They filled out paperwork, learned about logbooks, map reading, and safety tips. It was a week-long job interview, and the instructor was very patient and focused on safety.
On My Way To Orientation
by JakeCat22
Jakecat22 shares his journey to orientation for his first trucking job. He drives 170 miles and experiences a miracle with his car's air conditioning. He arrives at the hotel and meets his roommate. He ends the blog with the promise of more to come.
What You Need To Know Before Choosing A Truck Driving School
by Tanya Bons
When choosing a truck driving school, consider factors such as drive time, quality of training, job placement, and the quality of instructors. Understand the importance of each factor and do your research to make the best decision.
The Science of Truck Driving
by Philosopher Paul
Truck driving is a complicated science, similar to Thermodynamics and Chaos Theory. This article follows the author's journey from truck driving school to working solo and the lessons he learned. From close calls to learning to stay calm and go with the flow, the author shares his experiences and how truck driving has made him a better person.
Beginnings
by TaoTrucker
This article tells the story of a student who left Optometry school to pursue a career in truck driving. After attending five universities and dabbling in five different majors, he found his passion in truck driving. He overcame his fears and followed his dreams, and now he is sharing his story with the world.
My First Ever Solo Run!
by Philosopher Paul
This article follows the journey of a new truck driver as they embark on their first solo run. They face challenges such as learning to back up their truck, understanding the loading process, and navigating unfamiliar roads. Despite the challenges, the driver is able to complete their first solo run successfully.
The Showdown With "The Colonel" - Handling My Trainer's Tirades
by Philosopher Paul
Colonel Kurtz is a truck driver with 10 years of experience and 400 students. He has a dark side and a vendetta against four-wheelers. Read about his story and how a showdown between him and his student resulted in a newfound understanding.
One New Driver Sent Home, The Rest Of Us To The Skid Pad
by Philosopher Paul
This article follows a student driver's journey through truck driving orientation and the harsh reality of the trucking industry. The trainer sent one student home due to safety concerns and the importance of safety was highlighted. The student driver also got to practice on a skid pad and learned the importance of feeling a skid and recovering quickly.
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