Haulin Glass!

Good Evening all,

Sorry it has been several days since I've updated but as you know during your first several days of securement training it is a busy schedule. Well Thursday we received our official job offers and got the ball rolling with securement and additional trip planning training. So we have been going over how to secure different Coils (eye to side, shotgun, eye to sky etc...) and today we started tarping and began Linear load securement techniques. We are scheduled to be out in the training bay for the biggest part of tomorrow for the linear securement and additional tarping along with doing a "round robin" of everything we have covered the past several days.

The first couple of days weren't to bad in the bay because the temperature has been cooler than normal, but with todays rain (then the humidity) and typical summer heat her in NLR, it made it for a pretty sweaty day to say the least (lots of water and electrolyte replacement therapy, of course being from Texas it is not something out of the norm for me during the summer months). Looking forward to learning additional securement and tarping techniques and will pass on an update in the next day or so. Hope everyone is doing well and Jim I hope to catch you if you are here at NLR in the next few days.

 

Just a quick update. Finished up our "round robbin" training today and did some more tarping and lumber securement training. We also completed some more tests on the CDT (computer driver training) system and did some exam prep at the end of the day. We are going to do our final class room evaluation first thing tomorrow morning. If all goes well for everyone we will find out about our trainers staring tomorrow afternoon. We are all excited about getting with our trainers and getting on the road for some behind the wheel training and knowledge. Will pass on an update tomorrow to let everyone know how it went. Have a great evening.

 

Evening all,

Quick update. Past my final CDT Evaluation this morning and then we headed out to the training barn for more securement and tarping. Had the chance to tarp several different loads so it was a good day. Everyone found out about their trainers today and when they are scheduled to leave. Most everyone is scheduled to leave in the next day or so but since I am in the Glass division, I have four additional days of glass training and then I will meet up with my trainer from there. So it will be early next week before I head out. Will pass on updates on how the glass training is going over the next several days. Have a great evening everyone.

 

Well started day one of Glass training in the class room and a couple of hours in the training bay. Got to review the different trailers and how they accommodate the different types of glass and sizes. As our instructor said today being deliberate (being methodical and a modest pace) in everything you do in glass is very important. Looking forward to continuing to learn the many different challenges of hauling glass over the next few days in class and then the next several weeks with my Driver Instructor. Will keep posting updates the best I can.

 

Quick update everyone. Had my glass training postponed a few days. The plan is to have the classroom and training bay training completed by this weekend and then meet up with the trainer. As we get closer to the weekend will find out when and where and will pass that info along. Will also try to upload any good photos along the way.

 

Back at the first day of glass training today. Just as before we covered the few different types of trailers that are used to haul glass and spent a couple of hours in the training bay going over tarping and we broke down a simulated glass load. Spent the afternoon going over inventory of the trailers and watched a video on the proper way to put up and break down A Frames on the trailers. Anyway, back to the training bay again tomorrow to put together the load we broke down along with Canadian Border crossing review and more trailer evaluations along with additional videos and tests. Be safe and will pass on more tomorrow....

 

Day two of glass training safely completed. Watched a few videos and did a few evaluations in CDT. Also spent a couple of hours on Canadian Border Crossing. Spent a few hours this afternoon in the training bay learning to break down the A Frames on a single drop deck trailer and how to put them back together. Also had some simulated glass loads loaded on the trailer and did some securement training. We have more securement and tarping scheduled for tomorrow. Also, I found out I am set to meet my trainer Sunday evening. We will be picking up a load Monday morning that is going to Manitoba Canada (not sure where in Manitoba yet) for Wednesday delivery. So yea...getting ready for my first load with the trainer and get to do some Border crossing training. Looking forward to it. Well its getting late and have to be in class at 6 am. Be safe and will pass on more tomorrow.

 

Congrats on making it through your training, and welcome aboard! It's great that you are going to Canada with your trainer, so you'll know the border-crossing ropes before having to do it by yourself. Your timing is quite good, as the weather is going to get milder and the bulk of the summer vacation travelers will be off the road by the end of Monday, though it looks like you'll get a taste of it on your first day. I started in the winter, and spent some time getting my truck un-stuck from the snow a few times in the first week. Most guys are with their driver-trainer for about four weeks, and it sounds like you will probably enjoy the experience. The majority of Maverick's trainers are good guys, though each one has their own way of training new recruits, and they really vary a lot.

Good luck. Jeff

 

You Maverick people crack me up!!! I can't wait til the new glass plant in Dayton is completed. It will be the worlds largest glass plant and will produce glass for the automotive industry. This plant was formed by the big 3 auto manufacturers to cut out all the middle people including Maverick! We currently have the contract to move this glass! I'm not with any of your typical glass haulers. We are actually safer and much more reliable with much newer equipment instead of using equipment like mav uses inwhich by the way, your dgl 300 &400 series trailers are almost 20 years old and out of DOT able certification.

 

I hate to dissapoint you, but Maverick and the other big glass haulers transport float glass, mainly used in construction, not auto windshields. The new plant will have zero effect on our business. Most of the DGL's still in service are 2003 and 2004 model year, which makes them 10-12 years old. They are a bit tattered, but still sructually sound, and better than what many of the other guys are pulling. The recent problem with glass is that the cheap freight companies are starting to push their way into many of the plants, JB Hunt, CRST, and rumors that Schneider is going to try it again. Maybe you drive for one of them? If not, it might not be long before they show up at this new glass plant and offer a better price to cut into your business.