Truck Driving Jobs

ThinkingAboutTrucking · Joined: 05 Mar 2006 Posts: 64

I haven't posted on this site for months now. But I FINALLY passed my Indiana CDL. It took me eight tries, but I did it.

However, here is what I'm dealing with now. The trucking company that hired me said if I wanted a female trainer, it wouldn't be a problem, but to let them know a few weeks before I started. I called a month before I started and let them know I wanted a female trainer.

I stayed in the hotel waiting for two weeks for a female trainer. I did finally get one, but she told me I should douche once a month, and the next day she recommended I wear baggy clothes. She also mentioned that when I got out of the truck, I was "mooning" everybody. I think my shorts were fairly modest (it was 90 degrees) and I couldn't see any butt cheeks or underwear peeping out.

She hooked up with another driver at the hotel, and wound up partying with her (I was under the impression any of the drivers/students at the hotel were not allowed to drink) and sleeping in her room. I was a bit offended at the way they were carrying on earlier in the day, lots of poking and stroking and tickling.

Anyway, the company had the hotel do roomchecks every morning, and when the front desk lady came by, she asked if my roommate was there. I said no, and when she asked if her stuff was there, I said, "no, and that's all I'm going to say."

I've also heard from other drivers/students horror stories about trainers, and maybe a couple students who had good experiences. I guess what I would like to know is how long should I wait for a female trainer? I figured I'd be safer with a woman, but I wasn't expecting a very out lesbian. What scared me was that she seemed very straitlaced and professional when we first met. It was obvious the next day she really wanted to be with this other driver, and was being rather brusque with me. So I came home. Apparently I have to go back and stay at the hotel or else the company won't get a trainer for me.

I guess what I want to know, is this normal? A couple people (one of whom is in the industry) said it didn't sound right; not only waiting for a couple weeks, but the trainer telling me to douche once a month. The person who is in the industry recommended another company, as he's seen drivers from my company, and they don't seem very happy.

Any suggestions?

4roses · Posted: Wed Oct 10, 2007 9:35 pm Post subject:

You didn't say who you were working for ????? .... If you have to wait more than a couple of days ... get on the phone and find another company. .... call CFI ... they have a good training program and the male trainers are respectful ... :wink:

philobedo · Joined: 29 Sep 2007 Posts: 5

contact me privately I can help you.

Thankyou · Joined: 17 Apr 2006 Posts: 60 Location: Oklahoma City, Ok

philobedo wrote: contact me privately I can help you.

Me too. I can get you in touch with CFI people who will treat you way better than that. We have an excellent tng program and I think you'll find it pays well for the tng period.

ladykatrina · Joined: 24 Jul 2007 Posts: 50 Location: Connecticut

douching once a month? from what I have read its not healthy to ever do this...your bodies natural bacteria is there for a reason...and what biz is it of hers? I hope you get a decent trainer soon! :?

ThinkingAboutTrucking · Joined: 05 Mar 2006 Posts: 64

Hey Everyone!!!

Thanks for the suggestions. Actually, I HAVE contacted CFI, but they said since I've been out of school for so long (I graduated in January, and it's a long story as to why I graduated so long ago, and why I just got my CDL in July; all of it legal) and CFI said that I would have to take a refresher course. This is my last resort, as getting through trucking school twice, and hammering away at the CDL test until I passed has cost me so much money that I'm about at the end of my rope financially. Right now I am living off my credit cards and I am ashamed of this. But I was hell bent on getting a new career, and I did it. I'm about bankrupt, but I did it.

I am scheduled to go back and wait for a trainer Thursday. My first roommate had a horrible first trainer (she said the trainer came to complete stops on exit ramps because she didn't know how to downshift, plus they had four loads taken off them because they were lost) but her second trainer is really good. She says she's like a drill sergeant, but they seem to get along, and her trainer actually called me to tell me not to give up. They hadn't heard from me in a few days and were really worried about me. I think that was nice of her to do that, even though she doesn't know me.

I called work today about something unrelated to training, and apparently they have this particular trainer lined up for me, but on the downside, she won't be finished with my first roommate for quite some time. Or at least, that's what I understand so far. This whole mess has been full of surprises and disappointments.

As for your questions/suggestions:

I'm working for Werner

I don't know why I should douche; I've never done that before in my life, and if I don't plan to fool around on the road (I have a nice man in my life right now, and he is the ONLY man I plan to have, as long as we are together) I thought it was none of her business to tell me when to douche and to dress like a guy.

Philbedo, I tried to send you a private message, but the administrator wouldn't let me for some reason. I've sent PM's in the past with no problems, so I don't know what's going on.

So that's as it stands right now. I'm very tempted though, to go back and get through the refresher course somehow, so I can have more opportunities.

Thanks for all of your suggestions and support! I've put so much into this, I can't give up. I look forward to joining you all out on the road!

4roses · Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2007 9:49 pm Post subject:

so let me understand this .... your trying to work for Werner ? :roll: ... if that's the case, I've heard some 'not so good' storys about their female trainers ... have you checked with Schneider ????? ... I understand they have a fairly good training program. .... if you seat around and wait on a company like your doing .... it will only be Your lose - not theirs. Isn't everyone suppose to put their best foot forward ... first :idea: ... if this is how their going to treat you ... why would you want to work for them .... this doesn't quite make sence to me :?

ThinkingAboutTrucking · Joined: 05 Mar 2006 Posts: 64

Hey Four4roses!!!

Yup, you are right. It's Sunday night and I'm back in Indy waiting for a trainer. I really wasn't thrilled about coming back down here. I guess I can give it a little more time, but if I don't get a trainer soon, I guess I will do that refresher course. I am not one to give up easily, and yes, I've heard some "not so good" things about Werner...but isn't that the way with a lot of companies??? I've had more than one person suggest Schneider. I'd be okay with this, except they don't have a pet policy and I want my dog to come with me. I've looked into CFI, and I talked to them, but they said I'd need a refresher course. So this is something to think about, as I'm not learning anything here in this hotel room!!!

ThinkingAboutTrucking · Joined: 05 Mar 2006 Posts: 64

sorry, of course I meant for4roses! Please accept my apology!

4roses · Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2007 6:39 pm Post subject:

:lol: .... your kool lady driver .... you can just call me ... 4roses ~or~ roses 8) .... stay on top of the company and don't put up with their 'bull' .... in the mean time have you checked out somewhere to get that refresher course ? .... it doesn't cost anything to make a few phone calls :wink:

Sizzle · Joined: 10 Oct 2006 Posts: 207 Location: Colorado

ThinkingAbout Trucking: I P.M.d you with a much longer message but I put this on the board for you also. I have driven for three years for a company that I have hauled trucks for as well as freight. I had the opportunity to learn every gear pattern in the first two years due to the fact that I hauled new trucks all the time.... I learned about air tandems and teflon fifth wheels [they don't need to be greased over the lifetime of the truck-hence; who ever owns the truck saves thousands by not having to grease it.]

I think it's basically a matter of attitude and how things are perceived by us, the direction our daily lives proceed. The best advice I can give you is hang tough. This is definitely a male dominated industry. Everyday women stay off the c.b. due to the things that we "put up with" on the radio. I say, I'm not going to let any jerks detour me from enjoying my job.... I talk on the radio and give it right back to them. There are alot of sexist men who think women should be bare foot and pregnant at home and that's all we're good for. These are usually the "old timers" 50+ years of age. I think they are totally threatened by us and don't know how to treat us... But this is just one of many things that will happen to you out here.

If we can make it through trucking school and get our C.D.L.s petty men and women should not detour us. Hang tough and if you want to P.M. I'll be glad to talk with you personally. I'm out for 24 days a month so I definitely see the good, the bad and the VERY UGLY. You have to be an extraordinary female to put up with what we put up with. There are no average wussy females driving alone I can assure you. If there are they won't last long.

HANG TOUGH SOME OF US ARE HAVING THE TIMES OF OUR LIVES. I was married to a wealthy man and had a huge house-I wanted for nothing. I live in a condo now and make a small amount compared to where I was when I was married and I'm so happy now..... :) 8) :roll:

GOOD LUCK TO YOU AND REMEMBER THERE ARE PLENTY OF US OUT HERE WHO HAVE GONE THROUGH THE SAME AND WORSE EXPERIENCES. YOU'LL MAKE IT-PUT YOUR HEAD UP HIGH AND DON'T LET ANYTHING OR ANYONE DETOUR YOUR COURSE....

Shawnee · Joined: 05 Nov 2006 Posts: 246 Location: Canada

I have read a lot of awful stories about these CDL schools and and these so called trainers. I never realized how bad they were til I started reading about it on this board.

I never had a trainer, so I never had to go through that, I never did go to a school, I got my experience from shunting trailers around in the yard when I was about 17, I borrowed a truck to do my driving test, shortly after I bought my first truck. I had to learn everything on my own, I'm 29 now and on my third truck. I've been out here almost 9 years.

Like Sizzle said, there aren't many "wussy females" driving alone. I have seen a lot of women come and go in this industry. It can be very tough out there, especially being alone. It can be very stressful at times. It is not all fun and games. You can't let every little thing bother you out here or you will never make it.

Have you tried calling trucking companies other than the big ones? These big companies tent to treat drivers like crap. Even if you could get a local job or something to get experience, I know some people on here will say that local experience doesn't count but that is bulls#$t, I started out driving a day cab for a few months. Nobody told me that my experience didn't count. I could back up better then somebody fresh out of driving school. Check you local papers for different trucking jobs, anything that will get you some experience.

Not everybody can start out at the top. Everybody has to start out somewhere. I started out at the bottom, loading trucks, then shunting trailers, then driving. There are other options that just sitting around waiting for one of the big companies to call you, but if you don't get out and look, you won't find these other opportunities.

ladykatrina · Joined: 24 Jul 2007 Posts: 50 Location: Connecticut

wussy females? I have to laugh...I guess that would be me :D ..I keep coming back to this board as I contemplate the second half of my life and the choices I have made thus far and where they have gotten me. Sizzle, I still owe you that phone call! too much has been going on lately, I started that factory job I told everyone about here and walked out after my first day. Now I have a job working alone, rebuilding watercoolers which gives me time to think. I did the factory thing for 14 years...now its time for something else....I still wonder if I could make driving a truck work for me or not...my biggest problem right now is my damn flat feet! I cant work all day on mt feet...soooo..things seem to point towards some sort of driving job. :?

Sizzle · Joined: 10 Oct 2006 Posts: 207 Location: Colorado

Shawnee and LadyKatrina: I agree with what you both said. Remember ThinkingAboutTrucking training is only for usually 6 weeks. I endured 4 trainers and made it. You can make it too Lady. Just hang tough! :) 8) :roll:

ladykatrina · Joined: 24 Jul 2007 Posts: 50 Location: Connecticut

sizzle, are you off the road for a few days? I will e-mail you from my yahoo account.

kate :)

Truck Driving Jobs

Trucking Jobs

Truck Drivers

Trucking Companies

Class A Drivers.com