I'm not exactly sure what all they do now... as my upgrade class was the last class (or 2nd to last) to do the one day upgrade. I think it is three or four days now.
Test you on your 45* backing (follow everything USA says to do)
Test you on the road. This includes setting up for a tight right turn the USA way and a couple other things you will see in the manual when you go to orientation.
They also give you a written test (got 100%).
They also will have you do the three computer review things again that you had to do while you were with a trainer.
They also talk about safety and a few other things.
I'm assuming they've added a few things as well since this isn't just a one day upgrade anymore... unless they changed that again too haha.
Your trainer should help you out with any questions or concerns about anything. He/She should also have you practice the 45* backing and other driving maneuvers you will be tested on.
Questions about USA Truck training, pay
Discussion in 'USA Truck' started by hamertime, Feb 4, 2012.
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In my upgrade class we started on Tuesday with the backing tests in the morning and the road tests in the afternoon with some paperwork and some practice written tests to look at. While we were waiting some of us used the computers and worked on smith system training and egears on some other safety related topics. The 2nd day was things like how to put chains on and we went outside and got some limited practice on sliding tandems and keeping legal weight wise. I think we also did the main written test that 2nd day as well. The 2nd and 3rd days was presentations by the safety dept they went over logs and other matters involving safety then the safety director gave his speech. Karen Davis called us all in 4 or 5 at a time and talked to us about the training dept and we all filled out evaluations on our trainers. Then someone came over from operations and went over the fleet managers etc etc. Then we went into the shop and was shown how to regen the trucks and the DPF filters on the APUs. Then they passed out the certificates and became drivers not upgrades. While all of this was going on Karen Davis gave out tractor assignments and/or gave us bus tickets either home or to our assigned tractors. I am sure I am leaving a lot out because it's been a bit over a year since I upgraded.
RetiredSarge Thanks this. -
Its a one day testing session, written first, videos, road test, backing, wait on a truck if you pass.
RetiredSarge Thanks this. -
Would you suggest going ahead and getting your truck or getting that bus ticket first in order to get your stuff? Or look around the yard first and see whats available before you make that decision? LOL
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I would personally suggest go home and get the things you NEED to have in your truck and take your 5 days off. Then get bussed (again) to your truck. -
Oh and the availability of trucks will mean absolutely NOTHING. There seems to be no method to the madness with truck assignments. They may have 5 unnassigned at Van Buren and will only fill one while sending everybody to the 4 corners of the earth to get others.Supper Raven Thanks this. -
Thanks everyone for their input. I hope it runs smooth and we get rolling.
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Hey Raven, get your ### back up here so you can do some driving!!!! LOL
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You have to do a logs test, general knowledge tests, and road tests to upgrade and get your own truck. Expect to be with a trainer for approx 35 days and you must get 4 hrs behind the wheel daily for that day to count. In other words your trainer shouldn't be driving at all. You need to be doing all the driving. As for getting home after you upgrade, after I went to get my truck the first load I got was sending me home. They will do what they can to get you home as soon as possible. That might be a few days but it will happen.
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