partial quote
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scottt
What I hate is the company is a really good company where you can run anywhere you want. You can take off any days you want. You can come home and stay off as long as you need to. I had heard from a friend of mine who started there that the trainer was a jerk and it would be a challege to get through the 25k miles. He said he about left many times during his training. This guy is the only trainer they have so this company is out for me now.
|
Scottt
From what I have read on the forums here your experience seems to be normal. Mine was similar. I wanted to quit many times. I should have walked the first night when my trainer also went to sleep before my first day was over and told me to drive till I was tired. The when I stopped, he wanted to know why I stopped. One of the things I learned well, often & early was the signs of being to tired to drive.
I quickly figured out that when you stop your trainer stops getting paid. Money, not safety seems to be the most important factor in just about everything these days.
The first 3 days in orientation were great. Everything I heard I liked. The company said they would be checking to make sure there drivers followed all the rules and even told how they check. Then the first day with the trainer, he says "forget everything you learned". He meant it. Forget what I learned in school and orientation. If it does not make $ it is not checked very well. Sharp eyes watch the bottom line.
I have been solo for almost 2 months now. The latest thing is to get a trip with either 4 full days to go 1100 miles or 3 days to go 2800 miles. When I call and tell them that that it can't be done in the time they gave they just say the computer says it can be done. I called safety and the best response from them was "drive 11, sleep 10, get there asap" to cover my butt.
Not all is bad about being a driver. Read the forums here, they have been accurate as to what can be expected in my experience. I like this career. I am trying to learn all I can in this crucial first year, then I will reevaluate my choices & hopefully upgrade to a company that "walks more of the talk"
I don't mean to hijack your post, just to let you know you are not the only one out there getting less than expected. Driving seems to be a good job, I hope you stick with it. Best of luck, whatever you decide.
BTW
For anyone that is considering driving as a career please (1)pay for your choice of school & (2)have money in the bank in case things don't work out as you expected. I suspect not having any backup funds is the biggest reason why drivers (rookies & experienced) have little choice but to stay with less than desirable companies.
Dan