Mile Marker # 3
You will get a taste, but you won't truly experience trucking until you are assigned to your own tractor. Starting with a driver/trainer can be stressful, but at the same time it can be exciting. As a new driver you are trying to absorb new things and you will be introduced to new sleeping patterns. Essentially, you two will be a team. When one is sleeping, the other person will be driving. Typically, you are on the road 1-3 weeks. Remember, the more you are out there the quicker you can get on your own. Both of the driving and sleeping arrangements will work themselves out.
Eventually, you will reach the point where you are done with training. Ask before you get started if you have choices on the type of driving you will be doing ( OTR, Regional, or Local). All have advantages and disadvantages. If you can choose, pick the one that fits your needs. The different options might mean driving different tractors. If you choose to be local, you will probably be in a day cab (no sleeper). Typically, a local driver works 10-14 hour days. On the plus side, you will get to sleep at home in your own bed. Regional and OTR drivers will most likely be issued sleeper trucks. Regional drivers pretty much stay within a few states radius of their terminal. Most of the times you would sleep on the road. Depending on timing and destination issues, you might be able to get by the house once or twice a week. When people hear the words truck driver, they usually relate it to the over-the-road drivers. I am not going to pretend that OTR is all peaches and cream. OTR is not for everybody. I will tell you this, there is a very high percentage that OTR is where you will be starting your career. You may not have a choice with your company since you are fresh out of school. Plan on being away from home 1-3 weeks at a time. The away time can strain many areas of your life. I do recommend working through this for a year or two. If you realize OTR is not working out for you, you can make a change. Now, you will have 1-2 years of experience to take to your next interview. A lot of doors will open with that experience. On the other hand, maybe you will love it and be an OTR driver for years to come. I was a n OTR driver for 9 years. Being a city driver for the last 13 years, I am ready to get back on the road to finish out my career. I will inform you on why and the transition in a future blog. However you get started, you will find out that truck driving is a job like no other. You'll experience the freedom, the open road, and cherish the numerous memorable moments.
Next Bolg: Mile Marker #4 Home Sweet Home
You will get a taste, but you won't truly experience trucking until you are assigned to your own tractor. Starting with a driver/trainer can be stressful, but at the same time it can be exciting. As a new driver you are trying to absorb new things and you will be introduced to new sleeping patterns. Essentially, you two will be a team. When one is sleeping, the other person will be driving. Typically, you are on the road 1-3 weeks. Remember, the more you are out there the quicker you can get on your own. Both of the driving and sleeping arrangements will work themselves out.
Eventually, you will reach the point where you are done with training. Ask before you get started if you have choices on the type of driving you will be doing ( OTR, Regional, or Local). All have advantages and disadvantages. If you can choose, pick the one that fits your needs. The different options might mean driving different tractors. If you choose to be local, you will probably be in a day cab (no sleeper). Typically, a local driver works 10-14 hour days. On the plus side, you will get to sleep at home in your own bed. Regional and OTR drivers will most likely be issued sleeper trucks. Regional drivers pretty much stay within a few states radius of their terminal. Most of the times you would sleep on the road. Depending on timing and destination issues, you might be able to get by the house once or twice a week. When people hear the words truck driver, they usually relate it to the over-the-road drivers. I am not going to pretend that OTR is all peaches and cream. OTR is not for everybody. I will tell you this, there is a very high percentage that OTR is where you will be starting your career. You may not have a choice with your company since you are fresh out of school. Plan on being away from home 1-3 weeks at a time. The away time can strain many areas of your life. I do recommend working through this for a year or two. If you realize OTR is not working out for you, you can make a change. Now, you will have 1-2 years of experience to take to your next interview. A lot of doors will open with that experience. On the other hand, maybe you will love it and be an OTR driver for years to come. I was a n OTR driver for 9 years. Being a city driver for the last 13 years, I am ready to get back on the road to finish out my career. I will inform you on why and the transition in a future blog. However you get started, you will find out that truck driving is a job like no other. You'll experience the freedom, the open road, and cherish the numerous memorable moments.
Next Bolg: Mile Marker #4 Home Sweet Home
1 comments:
very good article cant wait to read more keep the pages coming thanks again for great reading
Post a Comment