TRAINING PAY

As time went on, I realized their training was only for a week. That's nowhere near enough time for me to get comfortable.

Just a note on this......be aware of the fact that you're going to be extremely uncomfortable when you first go solo. Your training is only going to cover a tiny fraction of the circumstances you'll come across out there. The overwhelming majority of everything you'll need to know to become a true top-tier driver will be learned after you go solo. The combination of schooling and on-the-road training will teach you the basics. It will take at least a year or more running solo before you'll really be getting sharp when it comes to time management and your level of 'street smarts' out there. It will be 3 to 5 years before you really begin to reach your full potential when it comes to earnings and your abilities as a professional driver.

Make your decisions pay off for the long term. If that means struggling a little more in the short term, so be it. Pick a company based on how well they'll suit you once you go solo and what your pay will be after one year with the company. Don't worry about what they're paying during training. You'll make that up and then some if you get on with a company that suits you well so you can stay there a few years.

Pay close attention to the scheduled raises a company offers that first year. A lot of people get lured in by a high starting salary. Many companies start you real low but give you a series of big raises throughout that first year. That's not typically how things are done in most industries but it's common in trucking. I believe Old School said recently he started at like 27 cents per mile with his first company but made $50,000 his first year. He was getting a ton of miles and was given some raises along the way.

Thank you everyone for all your input and advice. After much research I have decided to attend Roadmaster mid January. Once I obtain my CDL I have a job waiting for me with Armellini. Armellini is in the next city over from where I live so my home time would be weekly. Plus the pay is great!

For all of those hunting for schools and companies still, don't give up. It pays to make the phone calls and this forum to make the best choice for your situation and your future.

As time went on, I realized their training was only for a week. That's nowhere near enough time for me to get comfortable.

Just a note on this......be aware of the fact that you're going to be extremely uncomfortable when you first go solo. Your training is only going to cover a tiny fraction of the circumstances you'll come across out there. The overwhelming majority of everything you'll need to know to become a true top-tier driver will be learned after you go solo. The combination of schooling and on-the-road training will teach you the basics. It will take at least a year or more running solo before you'll really be getting sharp when it comes to time management and your level of 'street smarts' out there. It will be 3 to 5 years before you really begin to reach your full potential when it comes to earnings and your abilities as a professional driver.

Make your decisions pay off for the long term. If that means struggling a little more in the short term, so be it. Pick a company based on how well they'll suit you once you go solo and what your pay will be after one year with the company. Don't worry about what they're paying during training. You'll make that up and then some if you get on with a company that suits you well so you can stay there a few years.

Pay close attention to the scheduled raises a company offers that first year. A lot of people get lured in by a high starting salary. Many companies start you real low but give you a series of big raises throughout that first year. That's not typically how things are done in most industries but it's common in trucking. I believe Old School said recently he started at like 27 cents per mile with his first company but made $50,000 his first year. He was getting a ton of miles and was given some raises along the way.

I understand. Even Prime's training period wouldn't teach me everything I need to know and that's ok. The way I see it is I know what I know but I don't know what I don't know. I'm not talking about stuff like taking care of the paperwork with customers. I don't know how my future company wants me to handle that, but I do know I will have to lean that. I'm referring to the stuff I don't even know I will need to know. I feel one month is much more reasonable, for me, than one week.

I checked out that company on the web. It sounds great. Good luck with them. And their CSA score was interesting. I hope you'll do a journal on your time in school. My local citrus county career center covers roadmaster, but i decline due to the fact i won't go any more south than where i am.

Tastebuds... The key to doing this IMO is support from experienced drivers. This board is awesome for that. When I went to the terminal I grabbed as many names and numbers as I could, noting when they drive. I then had a list of people I could call 24/7.

On the road there are a ton of drivers willing to help and answer questions too. Some can be grumpy...but most are awesome. There are certain things most rookies are going to do....jump the fifth wheel and get kingpin stuck between skid plate and cab, lock themselves out of the truck, forget a padlock on a dropped trailer.... Scrape a trailer etc. You Learn from thoses experiences.

Look at it as a right of passage. The most frustrating thing for me was the backing. I kept hearing that at six months it would click. Well...I'm much better and not as fearful and nervous as before. Sometimes I'm much better than I realize. Other nights I'm tired and like ooohhh nnnoooo way.

As far as fearing what you don't know..that is what your dispatcher is for. Anything you need to know you contact him. If he can't help such as log corrections or road assist, he'll tell you who to call. You are NOT out there alone. Even though it seems it.

My FM told me "get it in early and safely and you did a great job. Anything else can be handled as it comes along".

Tastebuds... The key to doing this IMO is support from experienced drivers. This board is awesome for that. When I went to the terminal I grabbed as many names and numbers as I could, noting when they drive. I then had a list of people I could call 24/7.

On the road there are a ton of drivers willing to help and answer questions too. Some can be grumpy...but most are awesome. There are certain things most rookies are going to do....jump the fifth wheel and get kingpin stuck between skid plate and cab, lock themselves out of the truck, forget a padlock on a dropped trailer.... Scrape a trailer etc. You Learn from thoses experiences.

Look at it as a right of passage. The most frustrating thing for me was the backing. I kept hearing that at six months it would click. Well...I'm much better and not as fearful and nervous as before. Sometimes I'm much better than I realize. Other nights I'm tired and like ooohhh nnnoooo way.

As far as fearing what you don't know..that is what your dispatcher is for. Anything you need to know you contact him. If he can't help such as log corrections or road assist, he'll tell you who to call. You are NOT out there alone. Even though it seems it.

My FM told me "get it in early and safely and you did a great job. Anything else can be handled as it comes along".

Thanks for the encouraging words, Rainy. You're awesome!

Hahah thanks. Much better than some of the other things I've been called hahha. Its about attitude as old school and g town keep saying. Heck even YouTube videos can be a source.of info...as long as it isn't some stupid whiney cry baby who doesn't know crap hahah

The recruiter for Schneider was recently at my school. (Tues) Training for OTR van is 18 days in Indiana. $80 day plus they put you up in an extended stay hotel and pay for 2 meals per day. Tanker is the same except it's in Pennsylvania and lasts 27 days. They also have a refer division but not in my area so he didn't discuss it. Not sure where you got the week of training from.

The recruiter for Schneider was recently at my school. (Tues) Training for OTR van is 18 days in Indiana. $80 day plus they put you up in an extended stay hotel and pay for 2 meals per day. Tanker is the same except it's in Pennsylvania and lasts 27 days. They also have a refer division but not in my area so he didn't discuss it. Not sure where you got the week of training from.

From what I have read or heard, the actual time with the trainer on the road is roughly a week. Schneider says training times are as you say, which is true, but that includes orientation, skill evaluation, and what not. I'm not too concerned with the length of orientation and what not aspect of the training as most corporations are similar in what they offer and I'm familiar with that. I was referring to the training time spent on what I have never done, whish is deliver freight.

Gotcha. The recruiter said that you can request more time. I am sure most companies will let you stay with a trainer until you are ready. However, most people don't want to stay with a trainer longer than necessary cause they make less money. May Trucking's recruiter said that you can go solo in 4 days if you so choose. Their training is also a couple weeks long but they don't force anyone to stay with a trainer if they are competent and confident. I personally don't think 4 days would be enough. Especially this time of year. I chose this time of year so I would not have to figure out how to handle the winter on my own. But that's just me.