Finished OTR Training..
Topic 3699 | Page 1
Gregory, nobody is really ready for the big time when they get that first truck handed to them. I know you've seen us talking about the steep learning curve of your first year in a big rig - well you are just getting started in it. Here's what you do at first: take it slow and easy, be extra cautious, and always try to find yourself easy parking spots when you stop for your rest. Don't push yourself too hard and don't let yourself get too fatigued. Don't hit anything.
There's going to be a lot of stuff you are going to learn this next year. My dad used to tell me the lessons you learn in the school of hard knocks can shape your future more than anything else in life. You may have thought you just wanted a job, but in reality you just entered a schooling experience that could shape the future of your new career. As long as you stay alert, and do what it takes to be safe you will eventually at some point over this next year start to realize "hey, I'm doing this - I'm a professional truck driver". It's kind of like that moment when your learning to ride a bike and suddenly you realize the person teaching you has let go of the bike. That's right - you are on your own now, ready or not.
You've got this man, just be careful and you will come out on top after a while. Congratulations!
Even if it may not be normal...its normal for YOU...and thats what counts...and I think its a good thing. When Rookie drivers get their ego in front of them, rather than their common sense, it usually spells disaster..You are wise to feel you don't know it all yet.....because you don't. But we are here, for you to hollar at... Congrats on your training with the O/O...he must think you have learned alot...he let you drive his truck !!!!
Thank you for the motivation and confidence boost, guys. I will post my progress. :)
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
I drove 23,658 miles in five weeks with my o\o mentor and I still feel I need more otr training.. Is this normal to be like this? Thank you for reading.
I know how you feel just did about the same miles in 4 weeks and no I dont feel ready to go out on my own so thats why I am teaming with a buddy but after I take a week off to get some real rest and we are gonna run super 14 teens so we can both sleep when the truck is not moving damn near impossible to sleep with it moving
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
Even if it may not be normal...its normal for YOU...and thats what counts...and I think its a good thing. When Rookie drivers get their ego in front of them, rather than their common sense, it usually spells disaster..You are wise to feel you don't know it all yet.....because you don't. But we are here, for you to hollar at... Congrats on your training with the O/O...he must think you have learned alot...he let you drive his truck !!!!
great comments Starcar you just made me feel better
Christopher.....I would gladly go back on the road and team....just so I could sleep while the truck is rockin' down the road....I have never known a time in my life that I could get a full night's sleep...until I started teaming with TSB...He had to pry me outta that bunk to drive my turn...I guess its a combination of the rumble of the truck, the vibration off the road...its just perfect for me.....I feel sorry for anyone who doesn't enjoy it..cuz for me its a free massage, and mood music !!!!!
Christopher.....I would gladly go back on the road and team....just so I could sleep while the truck is rockin' down the road....I have never known a time in my life that I could get a full night's sleep...until I started teaming with TSB...He had to pry me outta that bunk to drive my turn...I guess its a combination of the rumble of the truck, the vibration off the road...its just perfect for me.....I feel sorry for anyone who doesn't enjoy it..cuz for me its a free massage, and mood music !!!!!
I hear ya but see my mentor had me trying to sleep in the TOP bunk the first 3 weeks till I finally said something like ah I am not getting much sleep cuz when you drive and you make me try and sleep in the top bunk i,m catching about 2 feet of air every mile you run and if you want to get anymore 10 hr days out of me I am going to your bunk end of story did not mention that he was a germ freak and I was 10x cleaner than he was so what i did was took his pillows thru them on the top bunk got my pillow and laid my sleeping bag over his seemed to be curtains for blankets and got at least 6 hours of sleep everyday for the last week dont get me wrong learned plenty from him and I am grateful but still peeved on the sleeping situation and I just found out that our company does not allow anyone to be in the top bunk while the truck is moving
Christopher...the DOT does not allow anyone in the top bunk when the truck is moving...period. I hope you spoke to someone about that situation....it is dangerous.
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
Christopher...the DOT does not allow anyone in the top bunk when the truck is moving...period. I hope you spoke to someone about that situation....it is dangerous.
10 -4
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
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I drove 23,658 miles in five weeks with my o\o mentor and I still feel I need more otr training.. Is this normal to be like this? Thank you for reading.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.