Signed up with Coastal in Hammond, Louisiana

Okay, sorry I couldn't give you guys a running description of what orientation was like. But now that it is over I can give you a brief summary. You arrive to orientation at 7am, we stayed at the comfort inn # red oak, texas...a short 15 or 20 min ride to orientation. If you pay attention you will do fine...you get tested on the subject matter presented...i.e. log books...you may get up to 5 or 6 subjects a day....don't worry because you can do it...just pay attention. Almost everynight you will have homework....sometimes they want it ....sometimes not...be safe...just do it. The part I worried about the most was the test drives....you'll have 3 days of driving, morning or afternoon session. You have to double clutch for Schneider, if you are really good you can float...but they want you to demonstrate you can double clutch. Your instructor, and all of them do this, will give you rapid fire instructions....it is very distracting....but on the highway...this chatter slows down. But don't worry....If I can make it....I'm still a gear cruncher!! I just finished up bulk, tanker, training in Houston and should get my on the road training instructor sometime wednesday.

 

Zantrix, Coastal is a good choice and most students get their CDL with them. Their documentation is good and I have used the study manual for Mississippi and it was spot for passing the hazmat. I had the same reasons for choosing Coastal as you and I have no regrets. Once you get your cdl and move on to the next step, orientation, just be prepared mentally that the study and pace will step up! Also when you get your training engineer and go out on the road, the pace will step up once again. Just keep a positive outlook and remember why you chose to be a trucker....it will get tough but you can do it. There is a consensus that you will pass the phase of becoming a first seat driver if you have average abilities. Don't give up!

 

Schneider pre hired me out of Coastal....so did US Express, KLLM, and Werner (I had all these companies pre hire me)....there were several other companies that were interested in recent grads from Coastal....Quality Carriers, Howard Transportation, Covenant, & TMC.

 

It's official, I passed my SQT (Schneider Qualifications Test) and will be issued a truck next week! SQT in the Tanker division consists of a Simulated air and pump unloads, qualcom usuage, 50 question cumalitive test from the big book, oral questioning on tanker trailers and finally a pre trip test.

 

Yes, Schneider does pay you during training @ orientation, bulk training or van, and when you are on the road with your training engineer. Its a flat rate of 400 a week and your check is one week in the rears. You also get get guarenteed pay of 400 a week after your training is complete...not sure how long it does that. Example, I was out for 3 weeks and I had one day of work on the 4th week....I got paid the mileage which was about 100 bucks and then the guarantee kicked in to make it 400 bucks total. I think that is pretty cool.

I've been on the road now with two sessions of three weeks and I haven't had much opportunity to check stuff on the computer.

Congrats Zantrix....on the choosing Coastal. It isn't very formal at this school but the training is structured and it is interesting, informative, and can be fun. Just take one day at a time, pay attention in class, complete your work in class and by the end of the first week you will have your learners permit. It won't be long afterwards and you'll have your CDL...what a sense of accomplishment I felt afterwards...then put your game face on and get the orientation completed!

BayouGirl, There were plenty of ladies going thru training and a surprising amount of lady drivers too. I met a lady @ the reserve operating center and she was gray haired...I made a point to speak to her and asked questions....It was inspirational that age and gender doesn't have any discrimination to hold you back from this job only your ability to get out there and perform.