USF Reddaway... new hire

Discussion in 'YRC' started by road_runner, Jun 6, 2012.

  1. road_runner

    road_runner Road Train Member

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    USF Reddaway picked me up a few weeks back. I am hired as a line driver (night shift). This is in fact my first civilian transportation job. I do have 9 years of combination driving experience with the military, but pulling doubles/triples was a first for me.

    It all started a few months ago when I saw an opening on Craigs List that Reddaway posted. I didn't think much of it since I already filed my resume with 8 other OTR and local/regional carriers. A few weeks passed when the terminal manager called me and said he didnt see my application until recently, and must have skipped it. Two hours later, I was in his office doing a job interview, going over all the basic stuff (pay, job requirements... ect).

    Two weeks later (which was last Friday) I was at the terminal doing training with another experienced driver who has been with Reddaway for a better portion of 12 years. He told me how lucky I was. I guess I am the first driver they hired in 10 years, and the only reason why they had that opening was cause they have a driver of 28 years retire.

    I felt really lost my first night. Pre tripping my vehicle/trailers was easy. What really threw me off were all the forms, and converter dollies. I was really struggeling (and sweating) to get everything in right order. My trainer commended me for double and triple checking all my connections and spacing, but he clearly seemed somewhat frustrated that I was struggling with figuring out what goes where, and which order. I am usually a fast learner, so I assume that I will get the coupeling down to a science ...eventually

    Please dont laugh, but it took me 50 minutes to couple a set of triples. My trainer said I should be able to get that down to 15 once I am proficient. "They pay you 3/4 of an hour worth of wages, if you take any longer than 45 minutes, you are just screwing yourself over" he said.

    I pulled out of the yard at around 11 PM. My first right turn on to the main highway took me back quite a bit. As I made my gradual turn, I could see almost the entire length of my triple trailers out of the passenger window. Things calmed down once I got on to the interstate. My driving was close to superb. My shifting was also flawless.

    My troubles started again once I got into the other terminal drop yard. Again, I was lost, and didnt know where to drop the trailers and what to do with all the paperwork. And again, I took much longer to recouple to a set of rocky mountain doubles... and again, things got better once I got back on the road.

    I dont know if this is more of a blog, or me just scratching my head asking for some pointers. Ok, guess I will ask for some pointers...

    Has anyone else been in this position? And how long did it take you to become proficient in everything?
     
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  3. ACH1130

    ACH1130 Road Train Member

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    I havent pulled a set since my CWF days last year. It took me about 45 minutes the first time I ever hooked up a set of doubles. The fastest was 12 minutes(apprentice competition). You will get used to it, just takes some time.

    I cannot stress this enough but DO NOT RUSH with hooking sets. Double and triple check everything, and remember those things need a TON of respect on the road. One wrong move can end up bad. Take it easy till you get used to pulling them
     
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  4. road_runner

    road_runner Road Train Member

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    That is some really good advice ACH. Thanks!
     
  5. ACH1130

    ACH1130 Road Train Member

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    Welcome to YRC as well. I can try and help with with many questions about pulling sets... two guys on here Squonk and Skinny trucker are road drivers for YRC. They will be able to help out more. I can try and help you with any questions about the sets though
     
  6. CenutryClass

    CenutryClass Road Train Member

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    Its ok to be slow at first man, take your time. Make sure you check the dollies and the fifth wheels to make sure they all hook correctly. Dont trust the click.

    Also one trick that will prevent long hook times is to get the fifth wheel throat on the dolly straight with the kingpin on the box, then you can just back straight. ive been at this for almost a year and just able to back with a pup and a dolly.

    Doubles and triples require patience and respect. Dont feel rushed. You were in the military, do everything in a step by step process and you'll be fine.

    I was the same way after running to this new term, everyone does things different. You will get the hang of it, I promise.

    Don't go faster than you are comfortable going
     
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  7. road_runner

    road_runner Road Train Member

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    Thanks Century. Also good advice and great words of encouragements. It's all about attention to details. I will take my time, even if it takes me the full 45 minutes or so. I can always find a replacement job, but I can't replace someone's family if I screw up and lose a trailer. I will probably have someone with me for the first week when I start on the 28th, so I will be picking their brains until I get the hang of it. Thanks again to both of you guys. I feel a lot more encouraged about my new job.
     
  8. cool35

    cool35 Heavy Load Member

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    I work for Reddaway too. They seem to have a pretty relaxed environment in my yard. Safety is first. I have 3 years doubles experience. The approach I have always taken is, you can hook doubles fast or you can hook them right. It is always tough when you first learn something new. I bet by time you have 6 weeks in (depending on how many runs you're doing a week) you'll have your own system down. I have had times where it took me 45 minutes and longer to hook doubles and triples. These were usually because of a soft dirt lot or bad weather or the con gear was no good. After a year at my first job, I had to be one of the cool guys and already have the front trailer hooked and then hook the dolly to it and spend a few minutes backing it under the second trailer. I was kind of lazy when it came to pushing around the dolly. Plus all the other guys did it that way and the pressure was on. After about 2 weeks of trying it that way I had it down. Now at the Reddaway yard I work in it's really small and I can't do that anymore nor do the other drivers. Plus most of the dolly's have a wheel on the front which is so much easier to move around. Also my sets are hooked by the yard guy and waiting for me when I do night runs, which is 95% of the time. It's nice to just pre-trip and leave.

    ACH is right when he says doubles and triples need respect. Like he said always double and triple check them. Make sure those doors are secure and locked down. I've seen a lot of driver leave the yard in the past and the door slides up. The big things I check for is that the con gear and trailers are connected, air is going to all trailers and con gear, chains are connected (seen a lot of guys forget one), doors and that pole that slides down in front of the trailer that keeps it from tipping over when the forklift is in there (can't think what it's called for some reason). I have had those lock pins wiggle out no matter what I did. Never had one slide down on me but a few close calls. Years back I worked for Saia and that was an automatic termination, dropping a trailer was too. Then I just do the rest of my pre-trip and yes paperwork. Can't stand it and never have no matter where I have worked but it's part of the game. Just make sure you do it right every time to cover your a.. I still have my first log book and instructions on how to do the paperwork in case I'm really tired, just to be safe.

    Well I'm just rambling. Congrats on the new job! I know we are under the YRC umbrella but it's nice to see another Reddaway guy posting. Good luck and stay safe.
     
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  9. road_runner

    road_runner Road Train Member

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    Hey thanks cool35. A lot of things you pointed out are similar to what my trainer was showing me (the safety pole at the front of the trailer apron for example), which makes me think that it could be a common mishap that could be prevented. My trainer also emphasized about making sure the safety pins are locked in solid so the pole doesnt drop down. I will invest the extra time to make sure I get it down right each time. As for the dollies, I guess I will be in good shape here soon. Our yard is all gravel, and I will just have to muscle the dollies to where I need them. I printed out my state CMV Law manual, as well as a guide on how to fill out a log book properly. Everything else will fall into place with time and plenty of practice. Thanks so much for the response though, I am looking forward to being part of the company.
     
  10. ACH1130

    ACH1130 Road Train Member

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    Lol it's ok to post in the YRC thread, we are all under the ske company and it's good having others post. Now we just need some new penn and holland as well LOL.
     
  11. cool35

    cool35 Heavy Load Member

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    I heard that ACH
     
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