I've narrowed down what company's I'm going to apply for and I want to drive flatbed. Everyone seems to have orientation and out with a trainer for 4-6 weeks. Can anyone tell me it it will be out on the road for straight 4-6 weeks or out for 14 days and in for 1 or how does that work. Also, what are the sleeping arrangements with a trainer. Thanks for any help.

 

It will depend on the trainer. How long he stays out for and where he lives in relation to you. For example most, or at least many, TMC trainers are home every weekend. If you live close enough you can go home also. Otherwise the company will put you up in a low budget motel. A decent motel but not a great one. If the trainer stays on the road for weeks at a time, so will you.

Sleeping arrangements: You get the top bunk. You should not be driving as a team so the trainer will be in the passenger seat while you drive so both of you should be sleeping at the same time. The last couple of weeks of training TMC allows team driving. In reality you will probably drive your hours and then the trainer will complete the trip because he didn't start his logbook until he started driving. Most of the trainers use trainees as an extra logbook. If the truck is moving you should be in the bottom bunk for safety.

 

I think it's up to you. If you want to sleep with him and he has no objection, go for it! :lol:

 

Ok I guess I set myself up for that one, but not for this yankee. Di*ks are for chics.

 

Depending on the truck, it may be a "hot bunk" situation. Good reason to bring your own sleeping bag, pillow, etc. BOL

 

One of the trainer's I had required a tarp to be put down on his bunk before I slept on it and required the trainee to strap in with the "volley ball net" when sleeping in his bunk and he was driving. All depends on the person that is training you.

 

Damn dude, now I gotta go and wipe off my laptop. :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

Depends on the company and the trainer.

 

That pretty much sums it up. The only thing I can add is that if you find a company that expects you to run as a team during your training period I would look for another company if I were you. It is relatively difficult to be trained if your teacher is asleep while you are driving and visa-versa.

When you do set out on your training adventure I would not count on seeing home again until it is all over. Yes, you may get a day off here and there but unless you get lucky and your trainer lives fairly close to you the odds are that any time off you do get will either be at the trainers home/hometown, or at a terminal.

 

In my training, it was just like snake_ize described. When he was driving I was in the passenger seat. When he slept I slept in the top bunk. He didn't allow me to be in the bunk while he was driving because I couldn't learn anything while I was sleeping