how will i get 18-wheeler driving experience

[Bigmon]

Look how many guys come on here talking about their trainer sleeping in the bed while they drive.

[jiptwoo]

Truthfully, Coilhaulr is right, it did sound like I was bragging and thinking back it was'nt so easy. There were several times I was really scared about braking, not having brakes( knowing nothing about blowing down my air tankes. Coming down a mountain, and not knowing to keep it a lower gear, knowing about cooking my brakes. Heck I really did not know how to shift the tranny, and then again how to down shift. There was plenty to learn, and praise God He was there to save my life and the life of others several times because I started in the winter. We did several shown in tx, and then to mi, and then to canada for 4 months, so it was not as easy as I made it sound. I was scared to death several times, so really the thing to do is what Coilhaulr suggested---werner, swift, schneider, or countless carriers who will hire and train students.

[rigidsporty]

Try food service... they'll hire anyone.

Just curious... who's truck did you take the driving test with and why cant you work for them?

[glctrucker]

I think the guy was just asking if anyone would be willing to do an apprentice-type deal for him. I didn't read his post as asking for someone to just turn him loose in their truck. I don't know why so many people are so quick to just jump all over people who post on these boards. I don't know anything about the guy, good or bad, but I'd rather give him the benefit of the doubt and try to be helpful. A lot of us were fortunate enough to have a father or uncle or friend show us the ropes to get us started, and I would take that over a CDL school or Swift-type training program any day.

My best advice is to try to meet some good, old-time drivers and see if anyone would be willing to take you on.

[rigidsporty]

I don't know why so many people are so quick to just jump all over people who post on these boards. I don't know anything about the guy, good or bad, but I'd rather give him the benefit of the doubt and try to be helpful. A lot of us were fortunate enough to have a father or uncle or friend show us the ropes to get us started, and I would take that over a CDL school or Swift-type training program any day.

Was that directed at me? I was just asking a question. I wasn't "jumping" on anyone, and when I said food service I meant driving for Sysco or US Foodservice. Thats tractor/trailer experience and a lot of them will train.

[ssoutlaw]

It may come a somewhat of a suprise to some of you but many of us drivers never when to any CDL driving school.

kc0iv

I never did!!!

[ssoutlaw]

Ins. companies are the ones that want you to go to school!!! The trucking companies could care less!!!!
Some people are just unsafe, and going to trucking school will not change this!!!!!!!!!!!
The law states you need to have the skills to get a CDL, The OP did and has a CDL just like the rest of you!!! and this can be done without schooling... PERIOD!!!! This is how drivers were found 50 or so yrs before the ins. industry took over the trucking industry! Are you people saying us ole timers are not as good of drivers as the ones who went to school and paid all that money to get the same results as I did for no money....lol Give the OP a break, he is asking for training, will he get, probably not, but more power to him!!
Just remember people, more professional drivers came from the go get it yourself deal than from a school. Trucking schools do not make you a pro, or good driver, this is something that comes from within!!!! Now get of the OP ARSE!!!!!