Profile For Alex W.

I’d like to thank you all for the input on my question. It looks like it comes down to do or don’t.

At this point, I have to do....I really do appreciate the interaction here and hopefully it will help as I go along. I’m just going to keep safety foremost, and be patient, and pick up what I can along the way.

Hey all,

Recently graduated CDL school, no experience other than the CDL training as far as driving a tractor trailer. I did pretty well on the driving, the pre trip, backing, etc. in school and road tests. Passed with flying colors, CDL in hand. That’s all.

I have just been scheduled to go to orientation for Trans Am Trucking. I understand from the recruiter that there will be a 7 day orientation, and if I pass their training, driving, and backing requirements, I will be sent post haste into the wild blue yonder as a solo “driver”. The recruiter said that they have no trainer/mentor program, which is something I was kind of looking forward to and counting on to actually learn the business and day to day details that you never think about until they arrive.

Am I making too much of this? Maybe it’s not that dangerous at all, but it seems kind of foolhardy to me. Now, I am very grateful that Trans Am is willing to take a chance on a new driver, don’t get me wrong! I had a dwi three and a half years ago that keeps me from some other companies that have established mentor programs.

I just understand that there is a LOT to learn, and there is a big step from getting a CDL to becoming a professional driver. I’m wondering if it’s possible to be successful in this without having a guiding hand to navigate these first steps, and if it is more common than I think to start this way as a new driver?

Thanks for any thoughts.

Hello, I’m Alex. I have just obtained my CDL. I paid for my own training through school, and passed the CDL test, and have my CDL. But that’s all I have. Having a commercial drivers license does not make you a professional trucker by any means, I think it just gives you the opportunity to learn, and that is what I need advice on from those who know.

I’m overwhelmed with all of the companies, opportunities, bad reviews, good reviews, requirements, etc. out there as I have started looking at where to go and what to do next. I really really need to go somewhere that provides a trainer or mentorship in order to learn the JOB. Things like best practices, rules, regs, different states, logs, load related, trivial seeming necessary items, and even simple things like fueling, grade, road etiquette, dispatchers, and so on.

Would it be better to try for a company that has the mentorships where they seem to pay less and you may be out for months at a time, or try to start with something more local? The problem seems to be that the better jobs all need experience of a year to two years before they give you a chance. That is understandable I guess, but it looks like a lot of folks might be turned away from trucking if their first year or two was a miserable hell, lol! 😆

The only problem I have is that 3 and a half years ago I had two DWI’s (regular DL) within three months of each other. (Pretty bad time in my life). I do understand that this is a limitation for some companies, and I am accepting that as part of the process.

I’m not looking to start at the top by any means, and I do understand that rookies have to pay the dues like anywhere else, and work the way up the career ladder through hard work, attitude, performance, and determination. I just want to start out the right way, in a way that will lead to a successful path as a truck driver.

If anyone out there has gone through this, and has advice on the next step for someone who already has a CDL, does not need a training school, but needs a mentor/road training program to actually LEARN trucking, I sure would love to hear some advice on what direction I should lean.

Thanks everyone and be safe!