Winter, Spring, Summer Or Fall ?

I'm not sure there's a right or wrong answer for this. I can see both sides of it. Having a trainer with you during the winter would help you get some good advice about handling the weather and slick roads. But at the same time training is really stressful as it is and doing it during the winter is going to make it that much more stressful.

So I think it's really just a matter of personal preference. It will work out fine either way.

Sorry I misspelled your name Brett...Your website is the bomb! Thank you for creating this!!!

I ended my training in September (last year) and was on my own for winter. Cheryl has it right as far as how to handle it. Heck, the worst part for me was trying to back into docks with no reference lines and tight turns due to the plowing shrinking the maneuver area.

Wow.... See those are the little things that would better if I have a trainer with me..How did you handle it? and you are a solo driver!? Last winter was really bad too! Was it scary and did you have any bad experiences? Sorry for all the questions but I am trying to get any and all info before I make this move and the snow scares me. Well the black ice do.. What company are you with Rolling Thunder?

Questions are good. Better to get the answer from here than the hard way on the road.

How did i handle it? Pretty much like you said, slow and easy with a lot of distance. At a couple of my stops, other truckers helped me by spotting for me. I will do the same this year if given the chance. We have to help each other out here, especially during the rough weather.

Am I a solo driver? Yup

Did I have any bad experiences? No, not so much bad, but, there were a couple tense moments. The worst one was when I was leaving Chicago headed toward Indy, I was about a mile or so from the I65 South get on ramp and a 4 wheeler whizzed by in the hammer lane and lost it right in front of me and another truck in the granny lane. She did the fish tale and spun it around a couple times but did not hit anything. Luckily I had a good driver next to me and we both just eased out of it and held steady in our lanes. I was never really scared driving in the messes of last winter, just very very careful. I drive with the thought that there is a child in every car around me.

Who do I drive for? Averitt Express.

Hope this helps. Feel free to ask any question that comes across your noggin to the good folks on this site, you will be helped.

Whether you get any actual benefit from driving with a trainer in winter is going to depend almost entirely on your trainer. I was exposed to some winter driving on my trainer's truck, but I can't say it was much help. My trainer was one of those guys who thinks it's okay to do 50+ mph on snow-covered roads, and in my mind that's just plain stupid.

The main thing to remember about driving in winter weather is take it slow and easy. Leave lots of extra space between yourself and whoever is in front of you, don't make any sudden movements with the wheel, be gentle with the brakes, and if you don't feel safe to continue driving, don't. Park the truck and send a message to your fleet manager that the driving conditions are unsafe and you'll proceed when they've cleared. Trust me, no matter what company you drive for, they'd much rather the truck go nowhere than have it go sideways or off the road.

Dang it! Sorry Fatsquatch, I mean YOU and Cheryl said it right. I always do this when talking to the ladies, the dudes just fade out...(says Jay mumbling to himself)...

I'm glad you said that someone helped you and that you will do the same. It seems like the stuff I've been reading or looking at you tube, that they just talk about you on the cb if you're having a hard time backing in. I know me myself If I hear someone talking junk about me then I will be talking junk back! but then again I will be at work and I have to be professional at all times but I know that will get to me if I'm trying to back in and someone is making fun of me instead of helping me.

I think that is the ONLY thing that will bother me. Having multiple truckers watch you trying to back, then rushing or giving dirty looks, instead of helping. They had to go through the same thing!

How do most of you deal with it? I'm assuming by ignoring them completely?

I think that is the ONLY thing that will bother me. Having multiple truckers watch you trying to back, then rushing or giving dirty looks, instead of helping. They had to go through the same thing!

How do most of you deal with it? I'm assuming by ignoring them completely?

Yes, I ignore them. I'm new and usually a little anxious when backing at shippers or receivers or especially at truck stops. I made up my mind that what anyone else thinks of my skills (other than my trainer) matters about as much as youtube comments. As long as I get the truck where it needs to go without hitting anything, I'm happy.

And actually, a couple of times other drivers have helped me back. Generally speaking I've had far more friendly and helpful experiences with other drivers than negative. Don't worry about the relative handful of jerks that are out there. They get far too much attention already.

I'm glad you said that someone helped you and that you will do the same. It seems like the stuff I've been reading or looking at you tube, that they just talk about you on the cb if you're having a hard time backing in. I know me myself If I hear someone talking junk about me then I will be talking junk back! but then again I will be at work and I have to be professional at all times but I know that will get to me if I'm trying to back in and someone is making fun of me instead of helping me.

There will always be a-holes out here. I would just turn down the C.B. and carry on. Some people get their jollies by frustrating others and seeing the reactions. Just ignore these types and you win.

Love how you put that, Bud. Thanks. Great avatar Rolling Thunder, LOL!

I will just keep in mind that they had to do it, too. I guess I will take as long as I have to, as long as I don't hit a thing. Sad that some of those like to mess with your mind and career that way :(

Don't worry about the relative handful of jerks that are out there. They get far too much attention already.

Amen to that!!!

I will just keep in mind that they had to do it, too. I guess I will take as long as I have to, as long as I don't hit a thing. Sad that some of those like to mess with your mind and career that way :(

Well there's a long standing tradition in all forms of blue collar labor & sports where the veterans like to harass the rookies. I was never a fan of that myself, but it's a fairly common practice. The best thing you can do is remain unaffected by it. If they get a rise out of you they consider it a victory so just take it in stride and don't sweat it.