Wanting To Start Trucking School

I am wanting to start a trucking school I have been driving a short truck (bobtail) for 35 years and I am making myself nervous about the big rigs like I am telling myself I am not going to pass the schooling. and I am undecided about which one to take .. I am thinking Stevens Transport in Dallas,TX or Raider Express in Fort Worth TX. I guess another thing I am thinking is driving in ice and snow in the north and northeast how can you train for that driving when I am from the south and we rarely get that kind of weather ?? any replies will be read and greatly appreciated ....

Driving in Ice and Snow is a skill. One that unfortunately requires real world experience. Someone can tell you what to do all day long, but until you experience it, it won't matter much. The best advice is take it slow. Be gentle with accelerator and brakes. SLOW, EVEN pressure. Avoid any rapid movements. With the steering wheel, accelerator, and brakes. You need to push yourself outside your comfort zone some, but if you get to the point of feeling unsafe and having that adrenaline rush, then you have pushed too far. It is always better to park and call it a day, then to end up in a ditch or worse.

Lets say you get your license, get on with a company, and finish their training before winter comes. After the snow starts to fly I am sure you could request to go back out with a trainer for a few weeks to learn winter driving. Sure it may hurt your pay for a few weeks, but I am sure you will get zero flack from the Safety or Training department. They rather you are wise enough to recognize that your out of your depth and get you the necessary training then have you push on with bravado and wreck a $80k to $150k vehicle.

Good Luck in your endeavor.

Patrick wrote:

Driving in Ice and Snow is a skill. One that unfortunately requires real world experience. Someone can tell you what to do all day long, but until you experience it, it won't matter much. The best advice is take it slow. Be gentle with accelerator and brakes. SLOW, EVEN pressure. Avoid any rapid movements. With the steering wheel, accelerator, and brakes. You need to push yourself outside your comfort zone some, but if you get to the point of feeling unsafe and having that adrenaline rush, then you have pushed too far. It is always better to park and call it a day, then to end up in a ditch or worse.

To add to Patrick's instruction; although implied, space management is super critical to safe winter weather driving. Under normal circumstances maintaining a safe following distance is very important. On a slippery surface, stopping distance increases dramatically. Winter driving, like anything else in operating a truck comes with experience and repetition.

James, as you continue along your path of discovery, I suggest investing some time reviewing, reading and studying the following links:

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road Training Program

The above are highly recommended and a good place to start building your knowledge base. Good luck!

I will click on the links and see what info I can gather up to make it feel little more comfortable ...Thanks

Patrick wrote:

Driving in Ice and Snow is a skill. One that unfortunately requires real world experience. Someone can tell you what to do all day long, but until you experience it, it won't matter much. The best advice is take it slow. Be gentle with accelerator and brakes. SLOW, EVEN pressure. Avoid any rapid movements. With the steering wheel, accelerator, and brakes. You need to push yourself outside your comfort zone some, but if you get to the point of feeling unsafe and having that adrenaline rush, then you have pushed too far. It is always better to park and call it a day, then to end up in a ditch or worse.

To add to Patrick's instruction; although implied, space management is super critical to safe winter weather driving. Under normal circumstances maintaining a safe following distance is very important. On a slippery surface, stopping distance increases dramatically. Winter driving, like anything else in operating a truck comes with experience and repetition.

James, as you continue along your path of discovery, I suggest investing some time reviewing, reading and studying the following links:

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road Training Program

The above are highly recommended and a good place to start building your knowledge base. Good luck!

Most companies will not fault you for shutting down in conditions you don't feel safe. Also, many companies will train you with little or no upfront money from you. Good luck.