Watkins shepard

Warp, Anytime they did anything with us during the 10 day class it was a test. For example, we were sitting around and Kelby walks up and says "you three come with me, I'm giving you a dock backing test" no warning, no practice. I nailed it first time so it was never an issue but I could tell he was making notes of people who were having problems. Same goes with the driving part, Dick put three of us in the truck and took us downtown and had us do a bunch of tight right hand turns. He flat told us that they won't hire someone who runs over curbs.

On a side note, they don't do block turns. You have to split the lane and wait for competing traffic in the other lanes to be gone then use as much of the other lane to make the turn.

I would say anytime they ask you to do something with regards to driving or backing expect it is a test, even if they don't come right out and say "you're being tested".

This 10 day class is more of a try out than anything, especially on the driving side. The company stuff you have to learn, that's a given.

Nate, My miles are good. I crisscrossed the United States over the last two weeks, went from Conover, NC to Lakewood, WA then to Vancouver and back to Lakewood then down to LA across to Sayreville, NJ and now I'm in NC. I'm spending a day at the house doing laundry as my drop can't happen until tomorrow morning. I'll probably head back out west again on Monday nite or Tuesday.

 

Warp, I did my 10-day in Conover 7 months ago and there was no driving test on the 1st day. In fact, we weren't allowed to drive anything until the results of our drug screens we took on the first day came back. And since they hire students straight out of CDL school they don't expect you to drive like a pro. They really just want to make sure that you have the basics well enough to learn the rest on your own when you're sent out solo. As long as they don't think you're gonna go around bouncing off other vehicles you ought to be fine. Screwing up a little in training can be a good thing because you're there to learn--better to do it in controlled circumstances when you can get help and instruction, right? I'll bet that by the end of your training you'll feel like you can handle the job just fine. The W/S system seems to be working because our safety rating is higher than that of some other companies that require students to go out for weeks or months with a trainer. I had 6 in my class and only one was kicked out and that was only because he didn't disclose an accident on his record.

By the way, straight 10s are much simpler and easier than Super 10s, and much more like the shifting pattern in your car. You won't have any trouble adjusting. Have fun in Missoula.

 

sal, nice to hear from the tread stater!! im still driving! only the east coast for now, they wont send me west!!!
blingding does have a new truck, me and him both do! same truck!
sal hope all is well with you, dont be such a stranger in your own thread...

everyone should thank sal for this here thread... i do
thank you sir!

 

Barely got home from the pee test and HPE and Chrissy calls with my bus ticket number and stuff. Looks like I'll be in Conover next monday.
Good luck to everyone.

 

Hello everyone, I finally got through all 217 pages! Certainly anything a person needs to know has been stated here. The agility test was very informative. I believe I can handle all of that , except touch my toes (without bending my knees!). My story is long and boring let's just say it will be awhile before I am able to go to school but this thread has given me much to consider before making that plunge. I will check back for updates. I appreciate being able to follow along. Thank you. Jake.

 

jake, all 217?? i can tell your a busy man!.
you said it will be a while before your able to go to school, why is that?? age??

 

Because he's too busy reading really long threads.

 

do you guy's know if w/s hires in central indiana

 

I skipped to another thread that was mentioned on this one. I really don't want to bore you guys ... basically I "washed ashore" here on old Cod Cod, got married, bought a house, got divorced and now waiting for the house to sell so I can go back to where I belong and start training out in Washington state. B4 I choose which school I understand it would be wise to call Missoula and see if that school is on the approved list. I am considering Bates Tech in Tacoma where you get training on a forklift and get certified to adjust brakes. They seem to have great placement and are PTDI certified, however the course is 5.5 months! Yes, I read all 217 pages! I have a decent job here in MA, so I really don't want to quit until I am ready to pack and move closer to my Mother, brother, sister and friends. Then I will be ready for a new direction and have been considering truck driving for awhile. Thanks for your reply s2b. Perhaps you and the others are goofing around, I don't see why they give your grief. They could be jealous because of all the toys you must have accumulated. Btw I just turned 50. Home time will not be a problem because there won't be one at that time!