[cowboy3551]

started in 90

[Bigfun]

GMAN wrote:

The only way to learn to drive is by doing. I think we would have much safer drivers if they had more real world driving experience.

Which is what you get, in spades, as soon as you leave the driving school and go to work. The driving schools only provide the basics to get the potential new driver into the industry, after that, only time and miles will truly prepare them to meet the challenges of 'real world driving'. I don't feel it's arbitrarily superior to get your start in truck driving from 'uncle Jake' than a good driving school, too many individual differences in people for that.

My first driver-trainer, when I started with MCT right after driving school, was a twenty-eight year veteran who knew everything about truckdriving, how to do it right...and how to 'cheat' a bit when necessary. He showed me the things the school, and the company, wouldn't. He was my 'Uncle Jake', and is probably the reason I've been able to go on by myself, drive the truck, and deal with the bull-crap that's just part of the job.

[Ironturkey]

Started in 94 in a 54 white 5&4 220 cummins.

[Ironturkey]

I started on the farm and drove every truck I could git my grubby hands on.
In the last ten years I've run quadraplexes, triplexes, duplexes, 7's, 8's, 9's, 10's, 12's, 13's, 15's, 18's,
Pulled: self-unloaders (spud)
board trls (spud)
tanks (doubles)
bull racks
dry vans (doubles, quads, tri-axles)
reefer
flats (doubles)
possum bellies (doubles, quads, tri-axles)
Grain trains

[Silver Bullet]

1996

[sinclac]

1988 first truck i drove was a 1959 ford cabover :shock: :shock:

[Bigfun]

As a side-note, It's amazing how much a new driver can be exposed to in a relatively short time, and the different equipment used in the job. I've just reached the six-month point as a working OTR truck driver and so far I've driven:

Freightliner Century's (2),
Freightliner FLD's (2, including my current tractor),
Kenworth T2000,
Kenworth T600,
Freightliner FLD Classic,
and a International 9400.

I've driven Super tens, straight ten-speeds, thirteen-speeds, and eighteen-speeds.

Dry Vans, reefers, and for the past three months, I've been pulling flatbeds.

[BanditsCousin]

Originally Posted by GMAN

I think that is the best way to learn to drive. I never went to driving school myself. I don't remember even hearing about them at the time. You don't learn to drive a truck by sitting in a class room. The only way to learn to drive is by doing. I think we would have much safer drivers if they had more real world driving experience. 8)

I spent many summers riding shotgun, and learned a few things here and there. Can I call it an apprenticeship? Maybe.

I still drove when I was only 15 here and there "under the radar" 8)

[TruckerTony]

Hey Ranger...can't PM you for some reason. PM me back with your email address and/or phone number. Would be good to compare notes.

[yoopr]

Originally Posted by TruckerTony

Hey Ranger...can't PM you for some reason. PM me back with your email address and/or phone number. Would be good to compare notes.

glad I could get you 2 together
You have to have 50 posts before you can PM Tony