Watkins & Shepard - The Adventure Begins October 8th

Day One

We started out with just a lot of paperwork this morning. Normal stuff, making sure everyone's file is in order, direct deposit, etc. Then we started watching some of the training videos.

Around noon, they took us to the truck stop to cash our T-checks and have lunch. After that, we had our Human Performance Exam (for those of you who don't know what that is, check out American-Trucker's thread http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...s-shepard-safety-interview-hpe-explained.html) and then our drug test. By the time we were done with all of that, we had time to watch one more training video at the terminal before the day was over.

I brought all of my books back to the hotel with me with me because I want to get ahead on the reading (because I'm a nerd)... and also because I don't watch television and don't have a car here, so there's not a lot to do in the evening. I was still tired today from traveling all weekend, so I'm going to bed early.

Goodnight, all. Be safe.

 

did they do urine or hair drug testing?

 

Does it matter?

 

I meant to add to "tips" is when someone says use your mirrorS, they don't just mean a left and a right one, they mean them all...I have 3 that I've made a habit of flowing thru, especially when lane changing...1st the main, then the round attached below it, then to the hood mounted one...Each of these shows different areas so when you use your mirrors, use ALL of them...I will admit, more than once I glanced in my mains(as I try to do often) and the next thing I know someone is passing me I didn't see but would have had I scanned ALL my mirrors...I am thankful the times it happened I wasn't making a lane change...I have consciously forced myself to scan them all, it's now just part of my flow...
Just some things that helped me....

 

If you have to ask, you probably shouldn't be driving.

 

Day Two

Today was definitely a classroom day. We spent most of the morning going over air brakes (including an emergency McGyver-esque option involving a Bic pen). The afternoon was spent going over log book procedures and working with various Hours of Service scenarios. We also started keeping logbooks to track our training time.

Homework tonight: finishing the first three tests in our binder.

 

If your a druggie!

 

I'm not a drug user but have recently stoped taking medecine that truckers can't be on. If they do a hair test and find that, there might be a problem.

 

They do urine testing.

Try to ignore the generalizing bandwaggoners. No ones a druggie or can't drive a truck just because they make a simple inquiry.

 

thanks bro!