What do you want from orientation?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Meltom, Apr 11, 2011.

  1. Meltom

    Meltom Road Train Member

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    So I know a lot of company orientations are either too much information crammed into a few days, or almost no information and here are the keys. So what do you think is the most important thing to take away from orientation? Share anything, it's not likely to cause any changes anywhere but I'm interested in hearing your point of view.
     
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  3. Tiger77

    Tiger77 Light Load Member

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    I am about to attend the third orientation of my career, and what I would like to learn other than the typical this is how we do what every one else does our way stuff. I would like to learn about the company philosophy, as in what is the best way for us all to accomplish what we want type stuff. I would like to know what direction the big shots are trying to take the company, i.e. more inter-modal, more long haul, more regional, you get the gist. And, lastly I want to know who is on my side, and how I can help them help me, such as who at my home terminal is driver friendly and will go to bat for the drivers when there is some sort of dispute.
     
  4. Okieron

    Okieron Crusty Okie

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    they will all tell you they are on your side! thats every companies byline for any type of job. " We want you to succeed" I want companies rules and reg's not the fed stuff we know that already. but let me know you pay to wash the truck once a week and what I need to do if I have a breakdown don't make me learn the rules when it happens. and most of all IF YOU TELL ME SOMETHING MAKE SURE IT IS CORRECT!! Sorry too many times they give you outdated info .
     
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  5. cruisecontrol

    cruisecontrol Medium Load Member

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    I just need to know how the company does things. Their process of paperwork, getting mechanical work done, etc. Things that are just unique to them. I don't want to watch the safety videos again, also I have been driving almost 5 years, I would think that they would have a pretty good idea that I may have a pretty good idea of how to drive a truck.lol. I already have a medical card, so why waste my time of having to get another one. I understand that there might be new drivers in orientation also, but if so, they could shorten the experienced drivers orientation to max of 2 days, and let the new guys hear and watch videos that the rest have seen. Why should I watch a video of how to drive in snow, you really can't learn to drive in the snow until there are 8 inches of snow on the ground.lol
     
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  6. Tiger77

    Tiger77 Light Load Member

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    When I say I want to know who is on my side, I don't necessarily think I will learn who is really on the driver's side in the lectures in orientation, you can only really learn that in person or from other drivers, but I'd sure like to learn it
     
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  7. Meltom

    Meltom Road Train Member

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    Thanks for the feedback keep it coming. I've been trying to fly under the radar but looks like I'm getting bumped up to orientation instructor here shortly. I'd like to incorporate some changes to make the process smoother. Granted not everyone will be happy but I would like to see the majority have a positive experience.
     
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  8. Tazz

    Tazz Road Train Member

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    Tell me the idiosyncracies of your company (paper work, shop rules, proceedure, pay) insurance and benefit stuff, give them a few minutes with the dispatch, driver manager, or equivalent and turn me loose.

    New guy's should do the entire Smith System and a primer on how their job will work. Waiting, dispatch, confirmation, directions, messages(qcom-pplnet), delivery,PPWK (scan-mail?) Most experienced driver will know a good portion of this stuff or can learn as they go taking up orientation time they could be out rolling and leaving less people to explain stuff in more detail.


    Not knowing the levels of drivers you will be running through thats my advice.
    Hell our orienation takes about 3 hours but we only hire two years or better. And we just believe in learning as they go, hell they know how to drive the rest you'll figure otu!
     
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  9. Madbull

    Madbull Bobtail Member

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    A good lunch. I have always wondered why they spend so much on training you but give you bologna and a half can of shasta.
     
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  10. Meltom

    Meltom Road Train Member

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    We can't afford Shasta.

    Thanks for all the feedback. Not sure what the actual standard is at my company, but I've been noticing some failure to understand basic concepts. Keep the feedback coming, it should help me to tweak class a bit.
     
  11. Sequoia

    Sequoia Road Train Member

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    At a company orientation that only hires experienced drivers, do we really need to go over hours of service and logs??

    I have to say, out of the few company orientations I've been to, SRT had the best lunches by far. They mainly ordered from a local BBQ place and omg was it good.
     
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