And so my new Stevens adventure begins!

Lol....I will have a look

 

Day 3: 4 Nov 2013

Today was a pretty slow day all in all. We were told to meet up at the classroom at 7. Well our house is literally a 1 minute walk to the classroom so the cool morning wasn't an issue.

We had several more students show up last night so they were sent off first thing this morning to go get their psychical and drug tests. While they were gone the rest of us were given the opportunity for another couple hour study session. I can't really complain about it because it is necessary to pass the permit test and not everyone learns at the same pace. Also, the issue is we were told today that in Colorado you have to have your permit for 14 days before you can take the skills test. So if people here fail to pass their permit test on Thursday or Friday they will have to be rolled over into the next class which will add a week to their stay...no thanks.

We did meet Charlie the owner/director today he seemed like a very personable and knowledgeable guy. We spent the rest of the afternoon with him going over the administrative paperwork for the school including the tuition contract. I am glad that I was able to do a good bit of research so nothing presented today was a surprise to me. On that note, while I do intend for this whole thread to document my experiences and not to speak about others I have to say that I am a little baffled by some of the people that appear completely unprepared and have no idea about even the most basic of information about the school, the job, or even the company itself. If ignorance is bliss then there is a lot of happiness right now.

Here is a breakdown of the costs so far:

Transportation: (Varies) I flew so I paid my own way but those who took the bus signed a promissory note today stating they would re-pay the bus fare should they not graduate AND report to Dallas. Apparently a few guys have dropped off the radar while en route. If you do arrive to orientation then the bus fare is waved and the note voided. A couple guys also drove in at their own expense.

Housing: ($90) As I said before it is not a hotel it is a house and ours in now full with 4 to a room and 6 in one room. We were told to today that the purpose of this set up was to start getting people used to "smaller" living quarters. Sounded good but I'm not buying into that one.

Physical/Drug Screen: ($100) Pretty straight forward there.

The will be additional fees for the permit test and licensing later on this week. Contrary to what I had read before you don't have to have cash as they will accept debit/credit cards.

The student loan is pretty straight forward but I can understand how some people could be confused if they don't have a strong financial comprehension. If some wants me to break it down I will be happy to.

The plan tomorrow is to spend the day on the yard going over pre-trip inspections. It is forecast to be a brisk 30-40 all day so should keep it interesting.

I was able to accomplish my high priority mission of returning an unnamed Redbox DVD for Curb.

 

Day 4: 5 Nov 2013

Today was a great day of learning. Once everyone was able to get beyond the wind which made the cold way colder and the instructors moved the truck to the front side of the dust bowl instead of the back all was good.

We reported to the yard today for the first time to be introduced to the facility and the equipment. We do not take our permit tests until Thursday so today was strictly dedicated to learning the Pre-Trip inspection procedures. Our instructor was Brian, former Marine, who had a great teaching style. He was positive and energetic and did an excellent job in explaining the importance of doing a correct inspection because of the potential consequences but at the same time keeping the environment light and all of the students engaged.

It was great to finally have an opportunity to finally put hands on the truck and see the parts and pieces and how they look and feel not just read it in the text book. I will admit that I am information junkie but not a mechanical wizard. In saying that I was pleasantly surprised at just how relatively simple most of the systems are when you encounter them in person.

We did also get to experience some of the day to day dramas that come with the job. As we were beginning our brake inspections a loud crashing sound drew our attention to a flatbed trailer that had somehow uncoupled from the tractor and dropped. We went over to have a look as "teaching moment" and were surprised to find that the locking jaws on the 5th wheel were still engaged. The driver was adamant that he had visually inspected the 5th Wheel prior to departing and there was not gap as well as a successful tug test. The fact was that the trailer was sitting on the ground not on the truck. The only visible damage was to the electrical line.

After lunch one of the road trucks had a low tire that had broken the bead. We observed some on the spot maintenance as they had used a machine to inject a blast of air to help reset the bead and then aired the tire back up. An old fashion spray bottle with water and dawn revealed a leak in the tire. Further inspection resulted in a 2" bolt being pulled out of the tire and a plug inserted. Wasn't brain surgery by any means but I could definitely see how frustrating it could be to have to wait for hours to get it 5 min repair made.

The plan for tomorrow is to spend time on the yard doing coupling/uncoupling and the afternoon in the class with train safety people as well as the tax professionals.

 

Day 5: 6 Nov 2013

The plan for today was to spend the first half of the day on the yard learning coupling/uncoupling procedures. We arrived at the yard at 7 as usual and hung out for a bit going over our pre-tripping procedure while waiting for our instructor. After he arrived he led us in a block of instruction on the proper procedures and had us working in two man teams. We were provided an excellent reference sheet which covers the pre-trip on one side and the in cab and coupling/uncoupling steps on the other. Each team was comprised of two students. One student would call out the next step and the other would preform it. It was a nice setup that enabled both to be actively involved in the process. Just like anything else repetition is the key to success. After going through the whole process once as a class we broke off to two truck and commenced to working. Things that I learned today that will stick with me 1) Pants need to fit and if they don't it's accentuated when people climb in and out of the truck. 2) Keep toes out from under the wheels when releasing the 5th wheel as it could roll and inch or two 3) Even though a piece of equipment make look identical doesn't mean it works the same as the last one.

As a follow up to the incident that happened a few days ago where the trailer came uncoupled from the truck and fell off we were able to go and see the diagnosis. The after several failed attempt to get a positive lock it was discovered that the driver had the truck set up to his "old" trailer which was a slightly different height then the current trailer, which was new to the yard. The type of fifth wheel had "clam shell" type of jaws not the locking bar and while it appeared the jaws were locked they were not fully seated. After playing with the air bags a bit it seated correctly. The lesson was basically to ensure you know how your current equipment works and not to assume that it is all the same.

In the afternoon we were given a very basic tax class that introduced some of the new tax code that DOT drivers have available to them as opposed to "normal" folks. I have a pretty good business mind and am very mathematically inclined so I was able to get value for it. I will need to look more into the S Corp. The second instructor was essentially selling his services as a financial advisor packaged as an "advocate" to help people begin to save. Many years ago I sold the same product he was selling using the same tactics...glad to see times don't really change. I fully agree that everyone needs to prepare for their future and understand that not everyone knows how.

The final class of the day was on Railroad crossing safety. Some interesting fact about trains but nothing particularly mind blowing. Obey the signals, be aware of your surrounding, and use common sense.

We finished up the day with a bit of study session and preparing for the permit test tomorrow. Out of state students were provided with a letter that the that schoolhouse had mailed to itself with your name on it so it could be used to establish residency to convert to Colorado license. We were told there would be $21 fee to transfer the license and $14 to issue permit.

The plan for tomorrow is to step off around 6 and arrive at the DMV an hour early to get in first so we can get our testing done and return to class and begin working on backing. I have no concerns or dramas about the permit test as I am generally pretty good with tests. I hope everyone in the class is successful.

 

Day 6: 7 Nov 13

Well today was one of the first landmark days during the course as it was permit test day at the DMV. The day started early as we stepped off at 6 am to ensure that we were atleast and hour early to the DMV so we could be first in the door. The class was broken down and students sent to two different testing stations so as not to overload one. Students were also told they after they were finished at the DMV they could use to school vehicles to stop by Walmart for supplies if needed.

Well we to the DMV a little after 7, due to a gps detour, and were there before any of the general public. The doors did not open until spot on 8 am. Once inside were all told to take a number then to form a line at the end counter. The staff member took our number and current drivers license and asked which of the three test we wanted to take first (general, air brakes, or combination). Once you were provided a test you were directed to two sets of tables where you stood up and began taking your test. The dividers were only about 6 inches high and it was only about 5 feet from the main counter so they could "observe" you taking the test. Be prepared do deal with the background noise and foot traffic inside of the DMV. After completing a test you returned to the counter and exchanged it for another one. Once you completed all three test you were told to sit down and wait while they were graded. Upon completion of the grading you are called back up to the counter and told if you passed or failed. If you fail a test, but do not miss more then half of the answers, you are given the opportunity to take the test again immediately. If you passed all of your test, and I did , then you provide your passport, or birth certificate, proof of residency (provided by the school), and paid your fees. It cost $21 to transfer an out of state license, $2 to transfer my motorcycle endorsement, and $14 to issue the new Colorado permit. The whole process from start to finish took a little less then an hour for me and about 4 hours total for 9 students. Best advice I can give is to make sure your paperwork is in order. Have an original birth certificate with state seal, have a drivers license, soc security card, passport if you have one. Also, they will run your name through the national system and if you have any flags, suspensions, or issue on your license they will not issue your permit until you provide written proof from your state showing the issue has been resolved.

Upon returning back to the school you provide your permit for a copy, and turn in your permit study guide and are given your next blue text book which will be required reading and testable material at the end of the course.

We then moved back out to the yard. We were given a period of instruction covering straight line backing and safety rules on the yard. Key phrases to remember "Turn towards trouble" and "Left is Right and Right is Left". The straight line backing course consists of four lanes side by side facing each other. Basically you are instructed to place your right hand at 12 o'clock on the wheel, your left are on the drivers door and watch only the left side flat mirror for the first day. You are NOT allowed to touch the accelerator at any time while in the yard. Idle speed only. You put the truck into 1st, let out the clutch and drive forward for about 200', stop, put it in reverse and back up over the same 200'. The track is hard packed dirt and not level so you have to continuously correct the trailer by moving the wheel from 9 to 3 only. The yard trucks are old workhorses. They will not pass a pre trip and couldn't be put on the road. They are simply there to be used and abused by first time drivers. We had 2-3 students in each of the four trucks and alternated turns driving while the instructors observed and taught. We did this for the rest of the afternoon.

The plan for tomorrow is to for those who need to report back to the DMV to retest to go and everyone else that passed and received a permit to report to the yard and practice straight line backing all day.

On a side note, frustrations are starting to mount for those who are struggling to pass the test. The school will continue to teach and help but if they don't receive a permit tomorrow they will most likely be rolled into the new class next week and have to repeat week one while everyone else moves on. This is a frustrating proposition many as the fact is the entire time you are student here the money is flowing out and not into your accounts.