My Quality Drivers/Celadon experience April 2014

Thank You, Spm. It is always nice to know that you aren't just talking to yourself.

 

Days 12 and 13:

The rotating between range and road has fully kicked in so yesterday was road and today was range. I am slowly getting better at shifting and backing. I am slowly getting better but I feel like I have a long way to go.
What else I learned...
Once you pass the road test for your CDL you get moved down to the Celadon Trucking dorms ( as opposed to the Quality Driver's school dorms). You have a new drug test, background check and road test that includes a new backing skill the 90 degree back. This skill involves parking your tractor trailer combination in between two other trailers from a "90 degree angle" which is the most like docking or parking at a truck stop, I think. Once you pass these you get assigned to a trainer. At the moment there are no available trainers so those that are currently in Orientation with Celadon are having to wait until one comes available. I don't have any info on how long the wait is expected to be.

If you are an Indiana resident then there are funds available through the Workforce Investment Act that may help cover a portion of your contract obligation. It is my understanding that it cuts your mileage obligation down to 60,000 miles from 120,000. They have a WorkOne staff member come to the school every two weeks to sign eligible people up for the grant. I don't know very much about the program except that I believe each state has a similar program. It might be worth a look to see if it will help you decide which school you want to attend.

 

To the best of my knowledge the Indianapolis location is the only Quality Drivers that is associated with Celadon. One of the new students asked Steve Russell (owner) if the rumor they heard about a California school was true and I believe he said that he had no plans to expand the school at this point. Whichever school is in Denver, it is not affiliated with Celadon.

 

The discussion of mapping in the classroom was "Buy a Rand McNally Atlas", the only discussion of logging was make sure you are watching your hours and using them properly so you are not in violation during a DOT inspection. I am told that you will learn all of that (as well as docking, customer service, how to fix improper axle weight, etc) when you are on the truck with the trainer.

 

For planning purposes, I would recommend having at least two month's income saved just in case school takes extra time or you have an extended wait for a trainer. I understand that the wait for us girls is usually longer than for the guys.