Starting Schneider National Dedicated Flex Fleet

10th day (Friday) complete

Got my own personal tablet. It seems to be a refurb that has a cracked screen and smells like an ashtray lmao. I'm gonna deep clean it as soon as I get the chance.

I also did my reefer training and also got certified for p4 cascadias as a bonus. Reefer training was super easy, they just told us how to operate the buttons on Carriers or Thermo Kings and also how to lower/raise the styrofoam bulkheads. Easier than I thought it would be.

Found out I don't continue my training until Tuesday, all the rest of my classmates are headed to war with their TEs but I get a 3 day weekend lmao. I'm gonna enjoy this 3 day weekend and catch up on some sleep. Been quite a busy week.

Stay tuned, will update again on Tuesday

 

True, I'll ask them about it next week while I'm still at the OC

 

14th day (Tuesday) complete

Started my flatbed training today, and man... I think I love flatbed lol. I've had some experience in the past with flatbed securement at my old job when I was a roadie in the entertainment business, so I pretty much already knew what to do when it came to straps. I had never messed with the ratchet binders before but I had seen other people do it so I had a pretty good grasp on them from the beginning and didn't have any problem with it. Not having worked since the pandemic started (since concerts are no longer happening), I actually had a bit of fun doing these exercises today. Strapping flatbeds reminded me of better times when I was a stagehand and I embraced that.

We started off doing some classroom work, going over the securement manual. Afterwards we went outside and learned how to do load checks, test the tightness of the straps/chains, etc. Also learned how to make the bulkheads with the ratchet binders and some stacked dunnage. EZ stuff. No tarps or anything like that yet, but I have a bit of experience with that as well so if we end up doing that tomorrow I'm sure it'll be fun.

Also took a spin around Dallas again to see how the flatbed drives compared to a van. I like it, I really like it. Lol. The spread axles are a little different than vans, but I don't mind it. My TE for this training also gave me some really good tips on how to maneuver the corners that I think will translate into van as well. Got some tips I hadn't got before and that really helped me. Awesome stuff.

Tomorrow I go back for more flatbed stuff, but this time way earlier. Have to get to the OC an hour earlier than usual so we can get started with the stuff and be done before noon and do the CFL tests.

Anyway that's my latest check in, I'm having fun. Stay tuned for more.

 

Looking like it will probably be next week. I have to do Moffett training Thursday and Friday and then they'll probably want me to do a 34 reset before I go on the road. Still not confirmed if I'll be doing pallet jack/liftgate/straight truck training, but if I do end up having to do those too, I think it'll likely be yet another week before I actually hit the road with a TE.