how to become a safe driver???

in case most of you haven't already figured it out the school i went to is a cdl mill to an extent.
even though i can drive legally i've never driven a 10 speed or a 53ft trailer or slid tandems,know nothing about log books, ect in short feel i don't know squat...
have read all the horror stories on other sites about the big companies and training but trust you guys to give me an honest opinion,and so far excellent advice.
the other nurse in my class is teaming with hubby at werner and she is encouraging me to join them also.I could stay with them out in arizona for a bit and avoid the winter driving but still have house here to deal with.

my other options are local stuff,primarily lobsters to boston and ny. the local folks send you out for one trip with a senior driver and that's it.

am concerned about getting started this late in the year due to fear of snow and ice ect would like to have more experience before dealing with that.

perhaps just "cold feet" on my part??ideas most welcomed

and if i haven't made it clear before
THANK YOU ALL
your encouragement made a huge difference(:

N/M

Well, here goes and I will get blasted for it but "SWIFT". They are a training company and they are everywhere. It is a good place to start and learn, ok now all you other drivers can blast me, but in the beginning TRAINING is what it is all about.

look first off when I trained the one thing my trainer , who at the time expressed emphatically to me was fear is good. When you get too comfortable behind the wheel is when you will make mistakes. As long as you realize there is a hazardous condition on the road just use your head. Bad roads slow down. Ice on the road get off it there is no such thing as controlling a vehicle on ice. If you can't safely operate the truck on the road get off it. Common sense is what you need especially at the beginning. It's ok to be afraid but drive the truck. It's the only way to learn properly . Ask as you are for guidance it will come. Driving a 53 foot at the beginning will be a challenge. Remember to watch your swing on the rear. Wide slow turns, On off ramps if you are loaded especially top heavy it is recommended to go 5 m.p.h. slower than the recommended speed for the turn. Back slowly always. Remember G.O.A.L. if you can't see it clearly get out and look to see what you need to do next. When backing steer the rear tires. They are what is moving the trailer the direction you need it to go. Just Use that fear to an advantage. You do this and it wont matter if you drive in arizona or up and down the coast the risk are the same either way. Good luck just do what you are comfortable with.

chatted w pepper about this a bit and am seeking other opinons and info
a fellow student is very interested to team with me at us xpress, have heard alot about 2 newbies in a truck,on the other hand would have perhaps increased saftey due to 2nd person in cities and backing(remember am ms.coneslayer)also more opportunity for$,yet am concerned about spending so much time with a guy i don't know all that well and also living in a closet with someone else have lived alone quite awhile and am somewhat spoiled.not to mention the apparent challenges regarding male/female mindsets.

would appreciate thoughts re teaming and info about us xpress(feel free to email me privatly to facilitate candid opinions)
thanx all

spoke with us today the bonus is for experienced teams only,but am still comptemplating teaming with my fellow student for miles ect...any thoughts...puleazze????

all I can say is it is a start. You can always get the experience and then decide for the long term. Just a suggestion.

Gal, I'm going to answer your questions with a question or two before I go into any furthur detail- -no reply is necessary here- -just food for thought for you- -here goes- -

Are you absolutely sure OTR trucking is what you want to do? Are you absolutely sure OTR trucking is what you can do right now?

I ask those 2 questions because in some of your recent posts you seem almost "nervous" about the whole concept of "being out there OTR (ex. being in the truck with someone *trainer* or *co-driver*).Yet you also seem sceptical about doing it on your own. I also ask because you mention responsibilities on the home front that you can't "just walk away from" (ex. "a home to take care of").If you hit the road with these things "eating away at you" your concentration is already broken before you hit the boulevard gal.

Some of the other concerns you mention- -well - -those are things that get better with practice! Backing, logs,shifting,driving in snow etc. are all things you have to DO to get right.
(and will tell you this- - some drivers just wing it! They may look like they "got it down pat" but that's just pride talkin'! LOL)

Fear and nervousness at and about the unknown are normal. It's confidence though that you can and will learn what you need to to overcome and conquer your fear that makes for a good driver out there gal.

Having said all that here goes with my suggestion for you- - -

IF you can answer my 2 questions with these answers- -Hell YES I WANT to drive OTR!! - -AND- - Hell YES I CAN do this NOW!! - - then- -

Do your homework on the major carriers that offer extensive training programs. Put your applications in with the 4 major ones that seem like they will suit your needs over the next 1-3 years.Here's 4 that are known to offer a pretty extensive and complete training program- - Schneider,CR England,Swift and Werner. Accept the company to start your OTR training with that offers what YOU need! For example- -an extensive "little or no trucking knowledge" training program,pay rate, benefits, hometime! Stick with that company (if you can - -barring any major fallout with them) for a period of no less than 1 year but 3 years is better for your career.

The point I'm trying to make here gal is this- -It takes confidence in yourself to pilot a rig and do it well and safely- -some folks just need a little more training and direction than others to reach that goal.

Dig deep maineiac! You've got it in there you just need to find it! ();-)

you are right am worried about the house as it is not yet finished and if i'm away fear it won't ever get done.
also cold feet about driving after reading so much angst about newbies here and other forums.
time to splat or get off the pot as we say up here, so far swift seems to offer most of what i need in terms of training insurance tuition reiburs and the opportunity to continue education in variety of areas, am meeting with contractor who may help me at least get the new part weather tight for winter,plan if i go to go and not plan to be back here much untill spring as the road needs reg maint. to be passable,as long as i have nigel with me i can be gone along time and swift does have a pet policy after training.
your insight is sharp and advice sound as usual..thank you

You're welcome! ();-)

And- -thank you for the compliment but honestly- - like I've said before- -I'm just a girl (lol) with a little knowledge, a bunch of experience and a heart! ();-)

Keep me posted about what's what with you! I'd love to "keep track of you" while you're going through the process of becoming a "Lady of the Road"! Hey! If the oldtime guys can hang onto the title of "Knights of the Road" we gals need something- - gals can't be knights! ();-)