Uturn2001
01-18-2006, 09:08 AM
This weeks topic comes to us as a request from JSonTag. This poster suggested writing about what the first few days on the job is like for a new driver. Great suggestion so away we go.
(NOTE: This is general basic information as every company does things a little differently)
You the new driver have made it through CDL school and are still on cloud 9 from getting that CDL and now it is time for your first job. You have talked with many recruiters, filled out tons of applications and decided on which company you are going to go with.
If you are like most newbies, myself included back when I was one, you are exited and nervous. You pack your bags a few day ahead of time and spend the next several days going over everything trying to figure out if there is anything you forgot to pack or do before heading out.
More than likely you have been scheduled on a trip with Greyhound to the terminal you are reporting to for training. No matter how short the trip may be you think it is never going to end, but finally it does. At the bus stop you call the number for your ride to either the terminal or the motel that you will be staying at until you go out with a trainer.
Before you know it you are waking up (if you slept at all) for your first day at the terminal. You are feeling 3/4 lost but soon feel better once you find another person or 4 that feels the same way you do. Soon you are in the "classroom" where orientation is going to take place. You find a seat and wait for it all to really begin.
Your first day drags by like a slug on tranqulizers and yet for some reason it is over before you know it. Most of the day is spent filling out paperwork, submitting a new application, taking another DOT physical/drug test and most likely at some point in the afternoon you get taken out of a road test.
ROAD TEST!!!!!?????/ :yikes: :yikes: :yikes: :yikes: Wait a minute...what do you mean road test. I barely passed the test to get my CDL.
Relax. The road test at most companies, especially for newbies, is little more than once around the block. They are mainly looking for a safe attitude and that you can get the truck going forward when you want it to and to get a feel of the areas you need the most work on. If you passed the state test you will have no problem with the initial company one. And so ends your first day.
The next two days will be spent filling out more paperwork, going over company policies and procedures, watching safety videos (all of which you probably seen in school) and wondering if it ever is going to end.
Finally the day you have been waiting for has arrived. Trainer asignments. Once you know who your trainer is and you hook up with him/her you will probably spend some time going over the "rules" of life in the truck and what your trainer expects out of you. Then you unpack as best you can and settle into the passenger seat to watch your trainer and the senery roll by.
Do not expect to do much driving, if any that first day on the truck, and if your trainer is a good one you should only drive a few hours the 2nd day and gradually build up to a full day over the next few weeks. The reason is that you are going to be stressed a lot more than you realize and it will take more out of you than you think. It will take time to build up your endurance, your stamina so that you can do the job day after day.
(NOTE: This is general basic information as every company does things a little differently)
You the new driver have made it through CDL school and are still on cloud 9 from getting that CDL and now it is time for your first job. You have talked with many recruiters, filled out tons of applications and decided on which company you are going to go with.
If you are like most newbies, myself included back when I was one, you are exited and nervous. You pack your bags a few day ahead of time and spend the next several days going over everything trying to figure out if there is anything you forgot to pack or do before heading out.
More than likely you have been scheduled on a trip with Greyhound to the terminal you are reporting to for training. No matter how short the trip may be you think it is never going to end, but finally it does. At the bus stop you call the number for your ride to either the terminal or the motel that you will be staying at until you go out with a trainer.
Before you know it you are waking up (if you slept at all) for your first day at the terminal. You are feeling 3/4 lost but soon feel better once you find another person or 4 that feels the same way you do. Soon you are in the "classroom" where orientation is going to take place. You find a seat and wait for it all to really begin.
Your first day drags by like a slug on tranqulizers and yet for some reason it is over before you know it. Most of the day is spent filling out paperwork, submitting a new application, taking another DOT physical/drug test and most likely at some point in the afternoon you get taken out of a road test.
ROAD TEST!!!!!?????/ :yikes: :yikes: :yikes: :yikes: Wait a minute...what do you mean road test. I barely passed the test to get my CDL.
Relax. The road test at most companies, especially for newbies, is little more than once around the block. They are mainly looking for a safe attitude and that you can get the truck going forward when you want it to and to get a feel of the areas you need the most work on. If you passed the state test you will have no problem with the initial company one. And so ends your first day.
The next two days will be spent filling out more paperwork, going over company policies and procedures, watching safety videos (all of which you probably seen in school) and wondering if it ever is going to end.
Finally the day you have been waiting for has arrived. Trainer asignments. Once you know who your trainer is and you hook up with him/her you will probably spend some time going over the "rules" of life in the truck and what your trainer expects out of you. Then you unpack as best you can and settle into the passenger seat to watch your trainer and the senery roll by.
Do not expect to do much driving, if any that first day on the truck, and if your trainer is a good one you should only drive a few hours the 2nd day and gradually build up to a full day over the next few weeks. The reason is that you are going to be stressed a lot more than you realize and it will take more out of you than you think. It will take time to build up your endurance, your stamina so that you can do the job day after day.