Best Time Of Year For Training

Hello all, and thanks for all of the great information. I've been reading this site for a few weeks and am 90% ready to take the plunge.

One pretty intimidating aspect to me is winter driving. Because of that, I feel it might be a good idea to train in the winter, so that I have a trainer with me when I first hit snow and ice. Logical? Or does it matter?

My lease is up in September, and if I go ahead and do this I will be giving up my apartment and storing my belongings with family. I can, however, go month to month after the end of the lease, so I have the option of beginning training (assuming the school is agreeable) anytime after September. I plan to do Company Sponsored School, but I'm still weighing pros and cons as to which one. Should I try to train during the winter? Or wait until Spring? I'm working now and can keep my job until it's time to go, but I do think I'd rather get started sooner rather than later.

I also read somewhere on TT, although I don't remember where, a female (if I remember correctly) student having a hard time getting assigned a trainer right before the holidays because so many were taking home time for Christmas. Is this another thing I should take into consideration? I'm female, but would be fine with a male or female trainer. I'm not sure if her situation was isolated or if I should consider waiting until after Christmas.

What do you guys and gals think? Does it matter or am I just over-thinking it?

Thanks again, this site is great!

Sami

I am beginning training tomorrow and am glad to learn this time of the year. Its past spring showers and before ice.

For me, knowing that I will have learned how to drive (somewhat?) before snow and ice hits makes me more confortable.

One of the instructors at driving school suggested we stay away from specialization initially, ie tanker reefer flatbed. He said learning how to not die running dry van was enough of a challenge.

-Best

Brandon

Yes, I thought that might be the case too--I'll be learning SOOO much as it is, do I really want to add ice and snow? And I agree with maybe learning dry van or reefer first. This will be challenging enough without tarping or sloshing. But that's why I asked, I figured someone might have some insight I may not of thought of yet.

Good luck with your training! Hopefully I'll be following in your footsteps soon!

Sami (now about 91% there)

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.

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.

Thanks Daniel. In that case, I guess I need to weigh the pros and cons of starting sooner and training in the weather or putting it off for months.

I'm very careful by nature, some may say to a fault, but I don't think so. Once I'm on my own I'll have no issue shutting down if I don't feel safe. As I always say, better safe than pregnant . . . or something like that :)

Thanks for all you post here. I read your "month in the life" diary and learned so much. I love the tips about start times and hours of service. That's one part of the job I'll really enjoy. I've always been a bit of a nerd, and trip planning seems like a really intricate puzzle, complete with trapdoors. Just another thing that's so much more challenging (read that: interesting) than my current career. Thanks again!

I'm personally choosing to start training in fall and going into winter with Prime (Aiming for the beginning of September). I wanted to do this for a couple reasons. Heat and humidity bring out the worst in people, I want the ice/snow training with someone experienced sitting next to me. I'm also female but, I'm willing to wait for a trainer. I've also heard that some companies won't send females with male trainers due to concerns about harassment.

I doubt there are any companies that would force a female into a truck with a male trainer.

I don't have a strong opinion on what time of year is best to get started in trucking to make the winter safer but I would lean toward starting now. I would rather have experience in a truck and be able to handle it a little bit before attempting ice and snow. Having a trainer with you will make the winter safer simply because they know your skill level and they won't let you get in over your head. But learning to shift smoothly, brake smoothly, go down the big mountains safely, keep the proper distance from others around you, and improve your defensive driving skills would make your first winter a lot safer for sure.

So I would say start now and learn how to handle that rig before winter arrives. But people get started in trucking all throughout the year and it would work out fine any way you do it.

Good point, Realist, I hadn't thought too much about heat and humidity, but you're right, it can cause some grumpiness. Seems every day there's yet another thing to consider when making this huge decision. Best of luck to you out there!

And Brandon, I agree, I can't imagine I'd be forced to get into a truck with a man, or with any specific person for that matter. Just saying I'm more than willing to have a male trainer. I grew up surrounded by boys, and have spent 20 years in a segment of my industry that I deal with mostly men most of the time, anywhere from 75-90%, I'd say. Very 'blue collar' men, at that.

Thanks, Brett. I'm glad you're another voice that feels it will work out either way, since financially and logistically I really can't start until the Fall, and I'm not sure I want to wait until Spring. Good to know, makes me feel better.

Can I assume, since no one's mentioned any concerns regarding holidays, that's not something I'll need to worry about?

Thanks again, all, for your replies and help, I really appreciate you all! ~Sami

The concerns with holidays are people going home for them and you not getting to or being on the road and missing them. You're hoping to start in fall so I dunno what the concern is entirely.