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This topic comprises 4 pages: 1 2 3 4
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Author
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Topic: Need advice on a new career path....Tim Reed....I could use you...
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Tim Reed
Better Projection Pays
Posts: 5246
From: Northampton, PA
Registered: Sep 1999
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posted 10-19-2006 09:59 AM
Yes. In a nutshell, they will train you in a classroom and on a test range for several weeks. Then, you go for your CDL exam and take the roadtest. After you get your license and start working for the company, you will be on the truck with a "trainer" for 4-5 weeks, for on-the-job training. This is to get you used to driving the truck and learning the company's procedures, etc. After your OTR training, you will take another road test to be upgraded to a first-seat driver. That's when you get assigned to your own truck.
Some companies may do the drill with slight differences, but this is essentially the procedure.
Yes, go to a truck stop and chat up some drivers. A lot of times you'll find them standing around waiting for showers to be cleaned, or in the game or TV room killing time. Look for teams driving for the majors... there's a good chance you'll find a trainer and student combo. Often, trainer's trucks will say "Driver Trainer" on the side (Schneider's trucks say, "T-E.. Training Engineer" ![[Roll Eyes]](rolleyes.gif) ) Be prepared to hear some of them try to talk you out of it, though. This is the only thing a lot of these drivers can do and they have no other life outside of trucking, so they like to feel they're doing something no one else can. To me, it was an easy job -- but I was dry van, too, doing drop and hook. It's demanding, don't get me wrong, but just driving the truck itself was easy.
Also, while you're at the truck stop(s), be sure to pick up a Trucker's Connection magazine. They're free, and can usually be found in a rack near the doors to the (trucker's) fuel island. You'll find a lot of free recruiting mags to help you learn the different companies out there, and see what they offer. Do your research online, though, because they ARE trying to recruit, don't forget. And, if you settle on a company or two that you like, let me know and I'll tell you what I've heard on the road about them, if anything. Good luck! ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
One tip for now: stay FAR AWAY from C.R. England and Prime! England has one of the worst reputations for driver treatment and abuse. And they both push heavily to get newbies into lease deals. They're always being sued by OOIDA (Owner-Operators Independent Driver's Association).
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Tim Reed
Better Projection Pays
Posts: 5246
From: Northampton, PA
Registered: Sep 1999
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posted 10-20-2006 10:09 AM
The trucks wiped out not by chance, Mark, but by the drivers who did not shut them down when they should have or who were driving too fast, or following too closely, for conditions.
Consider that it's way better to get hit by a truck when you're IN a truck, than when you're in a car. I'd take that option any day, bro. In most car-truck accidents (which, incidentally, are almost always the fault of the car driver) the trucker is able to walk away.
Truckers are most-likely to die in rollovers. These happen when the driver does not keep his unit in control (driving too fast on curves-particularly critical with tankers, over-correcting, letting the truck drop off the road, etc.).
I drove for 3 years without an accident, in some of the worst New England snow storms on record. Certainly, there are several accidents that I would have been involved in, had I not been vigilant and kept my gaze far down the road, and I've seen some very bad wrecks, but a person isn't at any greater risk driving a truck than not.
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Rachel Craven
Madam Moderator
Posts: 2190
From: Pensacola, FL
Registered: Dec 2000
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posted 10-20-2006 01:33 PM
Sorry, going with Tim on this one. For the MOST part to me it seems like Truck drivers are much more careful while driving then most people in cars.. no I don't drive a truck but while driving cross country in my car I always paced myself with the truckers taking the same route. I can't tell you how many times I've seen cars tailgating, cutting off, or slowly (because so many people are afraid of it) passing the trucks. Obviously its a lot harder to stop and control a truck so I wonder why the drivers of these cars put themselves in positions where they could be causing such a problem.. eh.
Truthfully, while growing up my dad did dispatch truckers and I can't begin to tell you some of the stories they would tell about cars purposely swirving in front of the trucks and doing other reckless things. Don't get me wrong, yes, I've seen truck drivers that shouldn't have been drivers... simple as that.
And just for the record, while driving cross country alone I do sleep at truck stops and I park with the trucks because truckers look out for one another. I'm just a trucker girl without the trucker...
<Rachel's tip of the day!>
Oh, and be nice, when you see a truck trying to switch lanes in front of you into the traveling lane, don't speed up and cut them off. Flash your lights and let them know they can move on over and then pass them in the passing lane.
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Tim Reed
Better Projection Pays
Posts: 5246
From: Northampton, PA
Registered: Sep 1999
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posted 10-20-2006 09:07 PM
quote: Richard Hamilton
Sorry Tim, but that is BULLSHIT!!
Your perception is skewed. Richard, I have several hundred-thousand miles behind the wheel of a big truck, so I have been on both sides of the equation. And I'm here to tell you that for every truck that cuts you off, there are 20-50 cars that do something much more unsafe in front of, or near, that truck. It is a continual, daily occurence and annoyance. quote: Rachel Gilardi
Sorry, going with Tim on this one. For the MOST part to me it seems like Truck drivers are much more careful
Thanks, Rachel! Shall I spring this on them, sweetie? ![[Wink]](wink.gif)
quote:
From: Identifying Unsafe Driver Actions that Lead to Fatal Car-Truck Crashes
Prepared by: Lidia P. Kostyniuk, Fredrick M. Streff, and Jennifer Zakrajsek
University of Michigan
Transportation Research Institute
Prepared for:
AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety
1440 New York Avenue, N.W., Suite 201
Washington, DC 20005
www.aaafoundation.org
April 2002
The results of this analysis corroborate earlier studies of car-truck crashes showing that there are many more unsafe actions by car drivers than truck drivers. Also as expected, the crashes were much more dangerous for car drivers than truck drivers; car drivers accounted for nearly 98% of driver fatalities.
Most research aimed at understanding the causes of crashes between cars and trucks indicates that the actions of car drivers contribute more to car–large truck crashes than do the actions of truck drivers (e.g., Schwartz and Retting 1986; AAA Michigan 1986; Massie and Sullivan 1994; Braver et al. 1996; Blower 1998; and Stuster 1999). It has been argued that the average motorist assumes that the operation of cars and large trucks is virtually the same (Mason et al. 1992) and that motorists are poor judges of the speed, maneuverability, braking, and acceleration capabilities of large vehicles (Ogden and Wee 1988; Hanowski et al. 1998; Stuster 1999). It is probable that educating motorists about the risks of driving near trucks or training motorists how to drive near trucks would help promote safer driving practices.
quote: Gerard S. Cohen
After reading all the above pros & cons, do you still want to be a "Double-Clutchin'Motha-Trucker?"
Gerard, the real difference here is the "cons" have never actually driven a big truck. ![[Razz]](tongue.gif) quote: Mike Blakesley
Tim - Did you ever have to drive up one of those "runaway truck ramps"
No, I always was very careful. And I never crashed.
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Tim Reed
Better Projection Pays
Posts: 5246
From: Northampton, PA
Registered: Sep 1999
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posted 10-20-2006 09:30 PM
Chris, cars do the same thing. I mentioned it in this thread.
quote: Tim Reed
Oh, yes, I forgot to add, if a car comes on in front of you, he will go slow. If he comes on behind you, he can't get around you fast enough! Happens 98% of the time.
Trucks have the excuse, though, that if they are empty, they can out-accelerate you if they want. Loaded, it's gonna be a L O N G time..
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