My training experience here at Covenant!

Discussion in 'Covenant' started by AmericanPatriot, Apr 29, 2015.

  1. AmericanPatriot

    AmericanPatriot Bobtail Member

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    Apr 14, 2015
    Ohio
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    Trainer hangs out in the jump seat the whole time but there are two of us training on the truck. It's part of covenants team training program so that way for instance if your a husband and wife team you don't have to be split up for training. The gentleman that is training with me isn't a partner, his partner had some personal issues and had to come off the truck so I got in the seat thankfully because like I said earlier he is a top notch trainer and an awesome person. 1 in 100 type of person. There are also trainers that train just one student, it depends on your situation. Not all trainers are qualified to train two at a time, the way he does it is we both have equal attention when it comes to learning, his "routine" is very organized and well thought out.
     
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  3. FatDaddy

    FatDaddy Road Train Member

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    I've heard about Covenant training 2 at a time. More power to you man. I could never do that.
     
  4. AmericanPatriot

    AmericanPatriot Bobtail Member

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    Apr 14, 2015
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    Well everyone I apologize it's been a couple days, I've been across the United States and back already in the past five days. Ill say it again, it's been one hell of an experience. I can't thank God enough for giving me such a patient and willing trainer! I know I say it alot but sometimes people don't get enough credit for what they do, this man has a skill that I want and he is making it possible for me to be successful, yeah don't get me wrong he does run a pretty "tight ship" as he says but it's only because you don't go to work just have fun and just because your on the road doesn't mean it's a vacation. Yeah granted I've seen some beautiful things I'm still working. My time under the wheel is my type of freedom, the open road and nobody to bother you as long as your doing the right thing. I like that he keeps us moving, in the past six days I've driven right around 3,122 miles. That's not exaggerated, I've been working my ##### off but this is something I've grown up dreaming about doing so nothing will stop me from achieving that goal. I've heard some horror stories out here but it's all in how you take it, I've been through the mountains in Arizona, (not huge, but long) I've been through Donners pass, I've driven in that "nightmare" place for drivers called Chicago, New York city, Pennsylvania and New Jersey (all in my first five days on the road). Like my signature says, "It's not what you've got, it's what you make with what you've got that counts!" When I left home to do this I said, well this is going to be an adventure and I never know when my last day is so let's make the best out of it and that's all it is. Yeah there's a few of us in the truck and if there's a problem there isn't any hollering and screaming, it's talked about individually and defused rather quickly so we can get on with our lives, if we were always at each others throats nothing would get done effectively and nobody would be learning. I've learned you have to be focused at all times when your under that wheel, especially in places like Chicago, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and so on. Those are a few I've been through that I've noticed aren't to truck friendly. I've been through just about twenty states and see something different every time. My experience so far, thank you to my trainer, has been so filled with knowledge and skill it's crazy how one man can remember all that and think immediately when the need arises. He is always open for discussion and when we are in a tight spot he ALWAYS listens up for our suggestions even though we're new. Just because your a new driver doesn't mean your a "dumb driver". I was once told, "when you become unteachable you become useless". We talk all the time about how he learns new things constantly and same with us, it's always a learning experience. My suggestion to the drivers thinking about joining the industry is, try and be personable with your trainers and fellow drivers. You never know when you may need a helping hand and if you burnt that bridge that's one less set of eyes that's ensuring you are safe, also remember you be the safe driver sets good examples to the other new drivers. Running overloaded overspeed and on the phone isn't cool, you don't want to show off while in control of 75,000 - 80,000 pds. Don't be that truck running down the mountain at 80 miles an hour and then blame your company for having to hit that runaway ramp because you think something was wrong with the truck, for every action there is a reaction and we don't need DOT looking for even more reasons for new regulations. It's already tight the way it is. Thank you everybody for reading my post, I know it's long but it was a couple days of things put together so thank you very much for following to this thread and thank you for your time reading! Give some feedback, maybe on what you'd like to hear or if you have any questions feel free to ask, I'd be glad to answer them. Have a blessed night everyone and safe travels!! Also one last thing, always remember your trainer is there to help you, not there to bash you. Take his /her advice, try it out and I'd it doesn't work for you talk about what you thunk would be easier for you and come up with a plan about how to do it better next time. As well, just because the trainer may be a female doesn't mean she is lower than you, treat them with the upmost respect, you'll probably learn some awesome things you thought a female "couldn't" do. The trainer is in that position for a reason!
     
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  5. PapaSmurf76

    PapaSmurf76 Bobtail Member

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    I'll be headed to chattanooga for orientation on the 18 of May. What is their skill/driving test like for new recent grads. Also is it their policy to train two at a time in each of their trucks if so that may be a deal breaker for me.
     
  6. Young_Gun

    Young_Gun Light Load Member

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    Nov 21, 2011
    Tampa, Florida
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    Two at once... Meaning.. Three people in one truck? Holy... I mean.. How does it work, sleeping wise? The truck can't move 24 hr, with the trainer being in the jump seat.
     
  7. PapaSmurf76

    PapaSmurf76 Bobtail Member

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    Apr 6, 2015
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    I agree that seems like very tight quarters.
     
  8. AmericanPatriot

    AmericanPatriot Bobtail Member

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    No I chose to come with this trainer knowing he had someone on here, he is one of there master trainers and I hheard alot of good things about him so I stayed on top of things to get on his truck. He only trains teams and the gentleman that was on the truck had some personal things going on so he had a seat available. Most of their trainers train only one person. If you come in with a partner then they will train you on the same truck so you don't have to split up. It's just a program they have because we have alot of husband/wife teams here at Covenant and they don't have to be split up for training. The trainer doesn't ALWAYS stay in the jumpseat, we roll 24/7 unless we're waiting for a load or something like that but it's only happened once and if we get a layover like that he gets us a hotel room because the truck only sleeps two. That's why I stress on here about getting along with your coworkers because it is tight in here. I just do my job, sleep and shoot the sh#t with my trainer and it's been smooth.

    Also PapaSmurf the road test is pretty simple. If your struggling with shifting they help, here's your guidelines for the road test. Don't run over a curb, don't crash, don't speed, and don't run redlights/stop signs. They tell you where your hardest turn is, your only behind the wheel for about 7-10 minutes and there is only one turn you have to watch yourself on. It's pretty simple, don't stress it! They don't grade you on shifting or anything along those lines, they don't expect you to be a professional driver already if your a recent grad. That's what the training program is for.
     
  9. PapaSmurf76

    PapaSmurf76 Bobtail Member

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    Apr 6, 2015
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    What was their driving test like when you went there what skills are they looking for?
     
  10. rpad139

    rpad139 Heavy Load Member

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    Hey tell us about what kind of loads youve been picking up. Alot of ups freight? Or you and the trainer pulling reefer? I remember me and the trainer pulled alot of reefer
     
  11. AmericanPatriot

    AmericanPatriot Bobtail Member

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    Apr 14, 2015
    Ohio
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    Check out my post above, I edited it and added it in.
     
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