Longest road test during orientation.Which Company?

When I first started 11 years ago, CRE had a pretty decent test, 5 miles on the road, the obstacle course was much harder for a new guy.

JB Hunts road test was probably 5 or 8 miles around SoCal, but easy backing test.

 

There's a company here in Maine, SPC transport that took me out for about 6 hours! I ended up doing a ton of empty trailer moves from southern to central Maine. It equated to free labor to them and after learning a few more things about this outfit and their shady practices I ran for the hills.

 

I used to give the road tests at FedEx Freight in Tacoma when I worked there. The test was minimum 30 miles in distance and 1 hour in time, per company policy. Our test specifically was 32 miles and took about an hour and a half.

 

Watkins Shepard is probably the longest just because there is no teaming. Get through orientation and you go solo.

I drove hundreds of miles over the course of 5-8 days. Lots of small streets, tight turns, city driving mixed with mountain driving. Also docked at some customers.

Not everyone makes it. One guy hit an owner operators hood with the trailer while turning at the terminal. Didn't get a tractor.

 

My current job consisted of a phone call from the terminal manager in McDonough GA, online new-hire paperwork packet, and a drug test and physical capacity test at a clinic here in TN. I didn't even meet my terminal manager (or anyone else from corporate) in person until I'd already been working here about 8 months. I've been here 14 months now and I've still only seen her that one time. No road test at all.

 

I'd be curious what's in your employment file. Also what would happen if they ever got audited by the D.O.T.
https://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/regulations/title49/section/391.31

 

All the standard new-hire paperwork. I did ride with the guy who's route I was taking over for two night. The company may consider that to be my road test. As far as audits go, that's above my pay grade, I just drive the truck.

 

that happened to me ONE time at some company as well. i had to go to a warehouse, back in, wait to be loaded, then make a delivery?

i said to the guy giving me the road test, "i'm taking this heap BACK to the company, i ain't you're FREE lackey".

he didn't say two words to me, he knew i wasn't some newbie or rookie.

needless to say, i told the TM to go have sex with himself.

i was still offered the job!