THE NEW NEWBEES' FORUM

[buzzy]

Hey gang.

I'm off and out on the road in a few minutes. I'll be gone at least till Thursday.

If there is anything you'd like to see here or think we should stay away from, POST IT!

When I get back I'll put up a bunch of links to some sites that will be a help to any driver.

Till then................GET YOUR TRAINER something nice for xmas.

[admin]

Stay safe buzzy :yes:

[hellcat_99]

Please do stay safe over this holiday week.

Holly

[Drifter]

Good gifts for trainers include, seat belt wooly pad(cushion) those hard stops, and a blindfold for those scarier manouvers....

[buzzy]

A yearly prescription for valium is another good one.

[Mr.Hemi]

A hockey helmet makes agreat gift for a trainer! :D

[Lonleyboy_515]

The only thing a trainer needs is a big stick :rofl: :rofl:

[Drifter]

The only person I ever taught to drive was my wife. She had to be careful as I was really dumn in the beginning tyed my truck and our house into the same loan :yikes: never,never ever do that, the stress is nowhere near worth it..

[eastern ontario]

I am not yet OTR, but looking at making a career change in approx. 3yrs.......family, financial and current employer obligations & committments dont allow me to now.

I am in process of preparing for this transition & I am aware of the hardships. With proper prep work, it should be a smooth transition.

I have spoke to many people in the industry, some of who have given me encouragement and advise. Others, not so positive a response & certainly some questionable advice.

The biggest piece of advice I question is advising me NOT to take a course. Any feedback on this? I suggested to the person that they teach me to drive........he has 30yrs experience truck & coach. Still waiting for a response from him. In most cases, the larger companies will not hire without a course and smaller companies wont hire without 1-2yrs experience! Next, which training centre or school is best?

Please feel free to jump in, your advice or comments welcome.

Thanks again to the welcoming committee.

Becareful out there. Drive Safely!

[Accremonious]

Hi EasternOntario,
Depending on your age, and previous training, I suggest that without the certificate of training from a recognized commercial truck driving school you will have an uneccessay amount of difficulty finding your first job(s) to get enough experience to gain full time work, never mind over the road!

The bench mark of the Truck Driving Schools is Markel in Guelph, Ont. That is because it is sponsored by one of the last Insurance companies to still insure large commercial vehicles. They strive to produce the best qualified drivers because they have a vested interest in reducing insurance claims and they are showing good corporate citizenship by putting something back into the industry which makes their business thrive. Not every one can attend or qualify, I would guess due to the location and cost. Part of which these higher fuel prices contribute to the higher costs.
Next would be those sponsored by any of the Community Colleges but conditional on the quality of their instructor in each case.
The last time I checked out costs was 1 3/4 years ago, and it was at least $2000.xx and more depending on your personal progress on the practical skill development side.
Even then many of the medium sized companies are reluctant to hire you without any experience. Quote, "you have not had your first one or two accidents yet. Come back once you have at least 2 years experience."
Some of the smaller truck driving schools are OK if you research out and find that the individual instructor is a highly competent driver and a good communicator. There are a few that I have heard that you should stay away from, but get that personally, verbally with some reputable source. Many will not say it publicly due to the libel laws and the aggravation defending what maybe a perfectly correct statement!
Once you do have your ticket, a good choice for your first job is one of the very biggest companies that send you out with a driver trainer in a team set up. SchneiderNational comes to mind as does JB Hunt, and someone else can add to this list.
Remember, what we said to the other chap, this is not a job, and it is more than a career. Driving transport, specially OTR is a way of life! As I told my wife the first time she rode with me and wanted to know what to bring, I said this is a different style of camping! She was between jobs, and later in the next credit collection position for a very large leasing company that dealt with both individual owner/ops and various sized companies, she was able to counter the statement "Oh you don't know what it is like out here on the road"! I still recall the night she verbally sent a lot lizard running off with very few words, non of which were foul!
My wifes hair was standing on end and their was fire in the eyes and voice! (Rest area I-75 N/B mile 09, Mich.) It was just priceless!
Another word of advice, you must be very careful in your planning how you operate from not just a financial point but a personal care way from food, showers, laundry, and sleep the key lifesaver! How you deal with and get along with strangers away from home is also critical. There are many hazards that you encounter out there that the general public do not experience in a more sheltered lifestyle. Frankly, I must have had horse shoes where the sun doesn't shine to have survived!
How you get the job done when the shipper or receiver is trying to rip you and your employer off! If you are too belligerent, even though they were at fault, they will phone up your boss and try to get you fired! This is a very tough racket you want into. I hope you are fully aware and prepared because it is not for everyone! One mistake and your license maybe revoked, or your ability to cross the border can be compromised.
Are you prepared to change companies at short notice, because when a regular contract gets rebid and under bid by the competition, you the drivers are the first persons to lose!
In this world there is less and less loyalty to everyone and everything except S Double Bar on the bottom line ($), so welcome to our world of special insanity. Be resilient, but don't let them walk all over you. (Non corborundum illegitimus) which is Latin for Don't Let the *******s Grind You Doon Laddie!

[eastern ontario]

Thanks for your advice.

I have looked into the schools in the nations capital.....and met with one which is connected to a local college. They run 3 levels of training.....the costs run from approximately $2500 - $5400 and are subject financial assistance.

Each drivers experience is a lesson for me. I listen eagerly to their stories.

I only hope I make it and can cut the mustard.

BECAREFUL OUT THERE, DRIVE SAFELY!

[hellcat_99]

Cheryl.
as Rod said, this isn't just a job, it's a life style. It's touch on all the family around you. It's an industry that consumes you, as it never shuts down. there is no such thing as 9-5 in this industry, unless you are in it just for a pay ck.
We learn something every day. The places we go, the people we meet. No where else can you travel & earn a living while doing it. I love it.
When I started 32 yr's ago, there was no such thing as a trucking board. Today, there are all kinds out there.
Anyway we can help, we will.

Holly :D

[eastern ontario]

Tell ya all a lil story.....hehehe :D

When I was bout 4-5, dad drove tandem then....I recall 1 day getting up 4am to go with him and he wouldnt let me....I cried all day but I never forgot that day. That desire still burns today.....and I want to make it happen.

With ole timer family members in the biz, I realize it is a 24/7 committment.....and challenging, I look forward to it. The next few years I will have fulfilled my committments in order that I can achieve my goal. I realize what it takes and how it will affect me and my family. I am making a serious effort to plan each step in order to make it a smooth transition.

A motto I have always lived by...... "A GOAL WITHOUT A PLAN IS JUST A DREAM!"

[buzzy]

Under new and improved and pending legislation:

All Commercial Vehicle Driving Schools will have to be Federally regulated.

All new commercial drivers will be required to serve an apprenticeship
program to acquire full commercial certification of their license.

All Driver-Trainers will have to be certified as such.

All Carriers wishing to be part of the apprenticeship program will have to be certified.

On the upside, a commercial vehicle operator's licencing apprenticeship is now a tax deduction.

The government has finally agreed truck drivers are NOT unskilled labour.

For more info go here CANADIAN TRUCKING HUMAN RESOURCES COUNCIL (http://www.cthrc.com/en/index.php)

and here Drive4Apprenticeship (http://www.drive4apprenticeship.com/)

[Accremonious]

Next on the list should be licensing and an apprenticeship for dispatchers!

[hellcat_99]

I totally agree Acc.

Holly

[Drifter]

Easrern Ontario, for some reason Kriska Transport in prescott Ont. comes to mind as a carrier with licensing authority maybe give them a call, and with a learners permit they may be able to train you.
Best of Luck
An unfulfilled dream is just a fantasy

[Accremonious]

Kriska is a well managed company and a good choice, if you meet their standards!

[eastern ontario]

Thanks very much Drifer & Acc, i shall give them a call also

[buzzy]

Next on the list should be licensing and an apprenticeship for dispatchers!


I totally agree Acc.

Holly

Oh lord............ya mean someones going to have to train holly????

Poor bugger!! :rofl:

[Drifter]

:D Training will be a lot easier than housebreaking. :chase: I`m outta here :chase:

[Accremonious]

Years ago out West we had an apprenticeship that was informal but very practical. Many truckers would have a helper called a Swamper. His duties were many and dirty! From learning how to assemble a set of Jin Poles and guide the object(s) being winched up during loading/unloading, etc. to handbombing freight into or out of a dry van. Many of todays oldtimers got their start and first license this way. There were many things learned then that are never going to be taught in a community college or private truckdriving school today. Not the least of which is personal safety in the way it means something. There were many a prank pulled that left a lasting impression on a young man.
Similar to the time in the local Ford Dealership when we had an RCMP cruiser to repair. It needed a new speedometer head plus the mileage had to be adjusted to the true reading for that unit. The corporal had told us that he had driven approx. 100 miles after it was not functioning. The problem was how to turn it forward from zero to the exact number. We needed a left hand turning electric drill so they sent me the in the parts truck to every supply house in town. As I arrived they would tell me over the phone where to go next until the owner found out by accident what was on the go! It was so logical and necessary that I had bit hook, line, and sinker! They in the meantime were using an pneumatic torque wench with a juryrigged drillbit chuck to do the job! Rookies are always targets, but the jokers must be careful to set up a safe stunt as too often horse play ends in disaster!