Starting the Squire Program 10/10/14

Discussion in 'Knight' started by lcfd15, Oct 15, 2014.

  1. lcfd15

    lcfd15 Medium Load Member

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    RG, hey man its all good. You were learning at least. Look how much progress you made from the first time you stepped in until the end of the day! That is why we are here two weeks now to give people more time to practice.
     
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  3. lcfd15

    lcfd15 Medium Load Member

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    Orientation Day 3


    Today things went well. It was pouring down rain all day so we ended up staying in the classroom. We finished all of the videos that we were going to do this week along with all of the test that went with them. We went over a verbal walk through of the PTI (which we are using an Arkansas example because they found it to be the most thorough inspection that they deal with), shifting, log books and other DOT regulations, and finished up any other paper work that was needed.

    We will end up going out on the range again tomorrow and getting into our 90 degree backing, PTI and starting on in truck shifting. We have some in the class that are a bit behind, but than again it is the first time they drove a manual let alone a truck. Just want to get back in the seat and get some more practice and than get some road time. I will have to again compliment the instructors here at the Memphis terminal. They are very understanding, informative, experienced and like to teach rather than treat
     
  4. Aimstraight

    Aimstraight Light Load Member

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    Muscle exhaustion in your left leg just means it was good practice!
     
  5. Fajo

    Fajo The Dark Knight

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    If it makes you feel any better, I had to learn with my grandpa. If I grinded the gear or took a turn to short or killed the truck back of my head got wacked. I had a sore head by the end of the day.

    My point to all of this is we all had to learn sometime. Some of the super truckers will act like they came out of there mom knowing how to float and shift gears. Its a learning process.. Also I have seen 30 year super truckers take 40 min to back into a spot at a pilot. You would be surprised how much those people that gock at you are the ones that pull head first into a trucking spot vs backing in.

    Your doing fine it comes to everyone in time. Don't get frustrated. When I learned to parallel park I used to pick a spot on the front of the trailer in my mirror when I hit that spot I would start turning back.

    Hang in there =)
     
  6. rgomez191

    rgomez191 Light Load Member

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    May 24, 2014
    San Antonio, Texas
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    I might of been making it harder for myself. Never shifted a gear before in my life and am still learning. First time I shifted to first, I let go of the cluch in one motion killing the engine. After a few times I learned to ease on the cluch and break at the same time to stop since I was trowing everyone inside around with my hard stopping I was doing. Just learned that I wad shifting this whole time like a car and not a truck. I engage the cluch move to neutral and then push it into the next gear in one clutch motion instead of double clutching.
     
  7. tracyq144

    tracyq144 Heavy Load Member

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    Agree with your post for the most part, but I WILL pull in head first, if it's feasible, just so I don't have to listen to *ahem* someone's noisy reefer all night long. Just saying.
     
  8. lcfd15

    lcfd15 Medium Load Member

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    Day 4 of orientation in the bag.

    We went over the remaining few skills we needed. We started with a pre trip (which is done each day when we first get in and as soon as we get back from lunch). We than went over off set (both left and right) and than the 90 and 45 degree ally dock. It was very informative. I have been studying the crap out of the pre trip. I have been doing really well on all of the skills that the instructor said that there are only a few people that may have a chance to test out this week, and if I felt ready I could be one if I was confident enough.

    I will be looking at testing out tomorrow if the possibility arises and will keep you all informed. So far my overall view of this school is what was presented to me. Yes, they paid for the ride up, transportation to the hotel, to and from the terminal each day. They cover lunches and the hotel provides the continental breakfast. The hotel here even has a shuttle that heads over to the walmart each day just in case you need to get stuff (which i have never seen before).

    The training - The instructors are experienced and knowledgable. They really do enjoy and like to be there and do not have attitudes. They answer all of your questions, but expect you to be able to be an adult and APPROACH them when you need help and not expect them to watch you every 2 seconds! This really is more of a "gentleman" course that I see. They are not hawks over pray, but rather let you do what you need to and expect YOU to work on what you need to improve on. If you decide to sit around and BS when you are weak on blind side parallel, than guess who will fail that when its time to come? Not me that is for #### sure! The equipment is okay. Seems to be pieced together the best if can be. The clutches are worn (some really bad to where you have to hold the clutch down a good 3 seconds and still slam it into gear). There are enough trucks for the students to break into groups of about 3 though. There is PLENTY of time to get every MULTIPLE turns at each obstacle (which i was worried about).

    All in all, I like it and am glad I came here!
     
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  9. rgomez191

    rgomez191 Light Load Member

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    May 24, 2014
    San Antonio, Texas
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    Looks like week one is finally done. I have recived my fuel card which is a sign that I have made it in with Knight. There is a lot that I still need to learn but I am confident that ill be able to do it. Cant wait for week two and for my CDL driving test.
     
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  10. lcfd15

    lcfd15 Medium Load Member

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    Well it is official. Week one has come to an end. The first week was accompanied by a few videos, a lot of learning, a lot of seat time and an introduction to new skills that I have not touched in years! We started with 11 (8 brand new students and 3 refreshers). out of the 8 students we are now progressing into the second with 7 as we had lost one to the drug testing (not the urine but, it was the hair testing that got him). The lead range instructor had informed us that we will be here for another week. This week will be utilized to practice our skills, and get introduced to driving on the road for those that are ready. After we are good to go by both the range instructor and the road instructor we will start testing out in all of the skills.

    I have made some awesome acquaintances and some really cool friends here in this orientation/first week of Squire training. Really look forward to getting on the road and working for this well oiled company.
     
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  11. lcfd15

    lcfd15 Medium Load Member

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    Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX
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    Things went well today. First time out on the road and the road instructor was very impressed. I had my shifting going good, both up and down. Turns were tight with no curbs and things were running smooth. They are going to allow me to test out early and am telling me that I may be looking at a trainer by the end of this week. They have already booked me for my test which is December 11. Really am excited to get out on the road and start traveling and moving some freight.
     
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