Training Questions at Maverick

Whatever questions you have can be answered on here. I got all my info from this site

 

I am learning on a 10 speed ,i like knowing i can use one .
I hope i would get a 10 speed instead of a auto,but after i get pretty good with a 10 speed i wouldn't mind switching to a auto.

I think it is important to use a 10 speed or better esp when you are new.
I wonder how many that drive for 1 or more years that have a auto?

 

At present it is not an option. You get an auto!

 

The only trucks i know of that are still manual are 05s or older. I highly doubt there are any company trucks in the fleet anymore that are 05s.

For you or anyone else that reads this post, the Maverick fleet of Columbia or Cascadia model trucks are all automatic. No Fear. Its not rocket science guys. There is a switch on the paddle on the steering column marked auto or manual. Choose to drive it in auto if you wish. Manual shifting in an automatic truck is not hard. you have a paddle on the righthand side of the steering column that you flip up or down that you shift with rather than a stick on your right side. No more grinding the gears until the rpms go high or low enuf to get it in gear. If your driving in manual and you try to shift at too low rpm, you hear a beep, give it a little pedal, and flip the paddle up.

For those of you out there who still aren't sure if you can handle such technology, here's a test for you. Pull your keyboard 1/2 off the desk or whatever it is sitting on. Put your right thumb on top of the right edge of the keyboard. Tap the bottom of the keyboard with your fingers like your rolling your fingers pinky to index or index to pinky finger on the bottom of the keyboard. If any of your fingers touch the bottom of the keyboard, had your keyboard been a steering wheel, youd've shifted gears. Honestly, was that so hard?

 

Greetings:

So you are thinking about going to work for Maverick's Flatbed Division. Weather you are thinking about it or you're preparing for your orientation that is scheduled in the next few days, weather you are a seasoned driver with years under your belt or you are a new student driver, or, maybe you are thinking about taking your school with them, there are many things that you need to know and understand BEFORE you arrive. This document has been prepared just for you so that you may be able to decide weather or not Maverick is right for you.

CONGRATUALTIONS!! You've submitted your application and you have been approved to attend Maverick's orientation process. The first and foremost important thing you must know is that this orientation process IS a week long job interview. During this first week, everything that you do or say, will be scrutinized. Bottom line, it is this important interview that will be unlike any other job interview you've ever attended before. To work for Maverick, you must be at the top of your game, no doubt about it. On Average, only 2% of all applicants that apply are hired. This is only one reason as to what separates Maverick's drivers from the rest out there. They only hire the absolute best drivers out there, NO EXCEPTION!

You have your letter of approval and you have been given your travel itinerary. Hey Great!! But before you set off on that possibly long bus ride that Maverick is providing, we have a little tip for you:

While Maverick will pay for your bus ticket to orientation, you DO NOT have to take the bus, if you do not want to. Here are other forms of transportation you may use to get you there, & get paid for doing so. Now BEFORE you go off half ####ed thinking that you are going to make a lot of money to get you there, you could not be futher from the truth. Regardless of what form of transportation should you choose, you must understand that Maverick will ONLY REIMBURSE you the Price of the BUS TICKET that will get you to their location. All other costs are on you.

Now wait a minute! You may be saying. If they are going to "Reimburse me, How is this going to work? When will I get my money back? If I can't afford to pay for my own transportation, Then What?

Allow me to explain:

Ok, you have been told that you will need to take a bus to their location, however, that bus ride may be 10, 16, 18+ hrs long. You have to be there ON SITE and ready for orientation by no later than 6:30am Sunday morning. If you have been on a bus for the past 10, 16, 18+ hours, how in the world are you going to be unpacked, showered, and well rested up before beginning class? The answer? Seek other transportation. Weather it be you very own car (which, unless you live within a couple of hours from the Orientation site, we do not recommend), we suggest that you look into either a Plane or train.

Once you have your dates, Get online no later than Tuesday by 3pm & start running searches for "CHEAP AIR FARES". Every Tuesday, the Airline companies start their "Price wars" trying to out do their competition in hopes to draw in more customers. Waiting later in the week to get your rate you will only find that the rates have gone up, considerably!

What ever you do, don't use just one search engine or travel agency (Hot wire, Travelocity etc.) USE THEM ALL!! Each one will usually have varying prices which can very greatly from another. Take rates you are quoted & compare them to the Actual Airline company's rates.

What you are looking for is, Yes the lowest fares, but also you are looking for "Published Rates" that are "All Inclusive" (air fare, Taxes, booking fees, etc) With a little hard work, you could very easily locate a fare at a fraction of the cost of that bus ticket. So, now will you not only be saving yourself the anxiety and the nerve racking hassle of having to sit next to some bubba who thinks that taking a bath is only a weekend sport, or listening to screaming kids for 10+ hrs, you've managed to get yourself to the site in a fraction of the time, relaxed, less stressed out and well rested for the beginning of orientation on Sunday. And the best part, You've just made yourself a few extra bucks in the process. (Remember? Maverick will reimburse you the Price of the bus ticket)

Now of course, this may not work out as well for some folks. As I stated earlier, it will all depend upon as to where you live, how far you are from the Terminal, and also, what airport you fly out of. Example: If I were to fly our of Charlotte, NC, it would cost me well over $250 + baggage fees, one way. But, if I drove an additional 75 miles to Greensboro, NC and flew out of there, my cost would only be $118. + baggage fees. (That's an additional $132.00 savings. Take the price of the bus ticket and subtract your airfare from that and you've now made a nice little bit of pocket change

Now if you do not or can not afford taking the plane or train, then I'm sorry to say my friend you may have no other choice but to take the bus. However, keep this in mind, if you can not afford to take either the above mentioned, how are you going to survive the next two weeks during orientation? Yes, Maverick will give you $50.00 by your 2nd day there, which is to last you until your first pay check, (2 weeks later). You will need to plan to be able to pay for at least one meal a day, and little incidentals like, personal hygiene items, bottled water, a pillow & a sleeping bag (if you can't bring one from home) etc. THINK BEFORE YOU COMMIT!! Have your Ducks lined up.

Expectations/Things to bring.​

1) Your starting pay will be dependent on your division/experience
2) Your orientation pay will be $500.00
3) We have two forms of payment: Direct Deposit or ComCheck. If you choose Direct Deposit, you will need to bring a voided or cancelled check.
4) You will need to be here for orientation by 7:00 am on Sunday morning.
5) Your physical and drug screening test will be paid for by Maverick. You will also be subject to random drug screens.
6) Maverick`s Rider policy is for immediate family members, 13 years of age and older, one rider at a time.
7) Pets are not allowed

8 ) You will need to bring the following:
A) SS Card
B) CDL
C) Logs for last seven days
D) SSN #`s and birth dates for everyone who will be covered on your insurance
E) TWIC Card (This is required. Maverick will pay for it up front & payroll deduct) (TWIC is for going into ports.not sure the cost.)
F) AL coil endorsement (Required, We can help get it and payroll deduct the $10) Alabama requires testing and endorsement to haul coils in and out of state.


9) Dress Policy:
A.) Must be clean and have neatly trimmed hair, beard, and mustache. Must maintain good personal and dental hygiene.

B.) Maverick does not allow: Pony tails, hoop earrings, facial piercing, tank tops, hats/clothing or tattoos with lewd or suggestive matter.

C.) Shorts are allowed on Maverick property only, and they must be hemmed or cuffed.

D.) Please be sure to bring a long-sleeved shirt, cuffed or hemmed long pants, and a pair of steel toed boots. (Some of our customers will not allow you on their property without them).


10) Maverick supplied Equipment for Company Drivers:
A) Safety Glasses and Safety hats
B) Disposable Camera
C) Coax-wired Trucks from the factory
D) Delivery Paperwork
E) Mattress Covers
F) Winch Bars, Binders, Chain Straps, and Tarps
G) Logbooks
H) Antennas

11) Recommended equipment to bring:
A) Rand McNally Motor Carrier Atlas
B) Alarm Clock
C) CB Radio -- Why would you bring a CB Radio with you to orientation and out with a trainer? -- if they route you to a load after training and there's a sign at shipper that says "tune radio to channel 4 for loading instructions" what are you going to do?
D) Bedding for truck - Sleeping bag & a pillow - easier to just buy a pillow there at walmart than to add that to your luggage. Once you have your own truck, you can add what ever bedding to your truck during your first trip home.
E) 25ft Tape Measure - You will need this in order to measure your loads so as to be able to pick out the right tarp to use. Trust me, You do not want to handle those tarps any more than you have to.
F) Calculator
G) Pen and Paper

12) Ability Testing:
A.) Wear loose fitting, comfortable clothes.
B.) Refrain from smoking approximately 1 hour prior to testing.
C.) Try to eat something light 1 hour before test.
D.) Dress for the season and drink plenty of water.




<< THE PROCESS >>

The entire process is very professional. Along the way you will be able to check the web portal ( http://www.maverickusa.com/portal/Login.asp ) and see exactly where you application is. You will be able to see How many employers had responded and when. It is here where you will also be able to see if your application was accepted or not as well as your Orientation Itinerary.

A couple of tips. Act, and look, professional. Pay attention to everything (especially the "10mph below posted speed on ramps" rule. More people seem to blow their road test over that than any thing else. Basically, keep in mind that they are watching and evaluating you all week, especially before they tell you that you are officially a employee. But even after that, act professionally. You will have a good time while you are out there, & you will learn a lot.


When speaking to your recruiter on the phone, don't be afraid to ask questions. They will make sure that you understand the process and what you will going be tested on. They will make it very clear that you have to go 10 mph slower than the posted speed limit on the ramps. This is where a lot of new drivers mess up...by not paying attention.

They will go over the orientation pay and training pay. They will also have a small questionnaire that will ask you to make sure that your expectations are not unrealistic...ie home time, hours per week ect.

Orientation starts at 07:30 on Sunday on the dot. NO EXCEPTIONS. Therefore, you are strongly suggested to be in that classroom no later than 6:30am. Any later than that, you've just shot yourself in the foot.


TIPS: Eyes and ears open. mouth closed except for legitimate questions, leave your cell phone in the hotel room, instructors say break for 10 min., be back and in your seat in 8.

While on break if you smoke, keep your butts in the ashtray. If you chew tobacco, don't spit on the concrete. Don't spit on the concrete at any time for that matter especially those morning oysters. Before you go back in the training building, spit the wad into a napkin and throw it in the trashcan.

Do your homework. Ask for help from the instructors if you are confused by anything. Ask for help from your fellow students. If something is demonstrated and you don't understand it, ask to see it again.

Keep off the grass, it's not your lawn, use the walkways.

Talk to the guys on light duty due to injuries, ask them how they got hurt so you know not to make the same mistake.

Take your hat off when you enter the classroom. Open doors for fellow employees, male or female.

Don't try to catch BUBBA out of the pond.

Take at least a sip of water every time you pass a water fountain, stay hydrated!!!!!

If you overhear a conversation between drivers about what they don't like about Maverick, ask them to tell you one thing they do like about the company.

Bring one weeks worth of jeans and two weeks of t-shirts, underwear, and socks.

Take everything you know about how good of a driver you are and allow the orientation instructors, driving instructors, whomever to make you better.

Stay away from fast food, greasy spoons, iron stomachs (i mean iron skillets) eat healthy for the 2 weeks of orientation and see how much weight you lose and how much better you feel.

If you hear drivers bad mouthing the black hat program ask them if they are one. When they answer no, ask them why not?

Don't be intimidated by the letters CEO, they love talking to drivers. "The Maverick Way", learn it, live it, love it. Its a 5+ day job interview enjoy it, have fun and be safe!!!!


At Maverick you'll be issued an ID badge that you're expected to wear while on the property. Your first name is huge! Why? So anyone especially CEOs can talk with you and get to know you during your orientation. Your truck number is nowhere to be found on your badge before, during or after orientation. Same of the above are CEOs, higher ups, whatever title may precede their name but just like anyone else, they are people who work for the same company as you do and enjoy speaking with drivers because they are the only contacts who may have knowledge of what is really happening, being said, except out on the road. They are also people like you and i that should not be shunned because they have worked hard just like you and i to achieve their positions. Also its an "in" a little more personal than "hi" or "hello" a conversation starter rather than the usual closed end greeting.

At Maverick, you are treated like family. Many drivers even call going to HQ, "coming home" that's the feeling you get when you go there. A place where you can relax, swap stories, whatever among my peers.

The black hat program: Drivers of the month for Maverick that for one year after they achieve Driver of the Month, they serve on the Driver Advisory Council where once a quarter year, they are routed through HQ for an all day meeting, Drivers Advisory Council Meeting. Where they meet with CEOs and share not only what's going on outside the gates of HQ but ideas, suggestions on how to improve day to day operations out on the road or possible suggestions on how to make the company more profitable, safer, etc. Some drivers that have been asked to be "black hats" have accepted and unfortunately, pun intended, the hat went straight to their heads and think they have to call in on other drivers that they see doing something wrong rather than doing what they are supposed to do, help the driver correct what they are doing against Maverick's or even DOT regulations.


Day one through five of class, be prepared to be filling out paperwork, taking a map reading test, and then (weather permitting (Snow / Ice) ) you will then be doing the agility and road test. Not necessarily in that order.

(Week 1: all classroom, videos on the computer.)
(Week 2: Securement training in "the barn")

When it comes to load securement, they provide you with chains, tarps, straps and binders. They want it done their way because it is better than the dot. As they say, "we could be driving next to anyone of our family members or their family members! We want everyone to make it home to their loved ones!"

All through the orientation they make it clear that you are in a week long job interview. Everyone is putting in input on you wherever you are. They only want people with a good positive attitude and a good work ethic.

You need to be in class before the time it is ready to start or you may be sent home.

All the tests are open book, but you must get a 90% or better to pass it.

The physical is lifting about 130Lbs from the squat position up to your waist twice.

You have to lift 30 to 40 lbs above your head. You have to throw a tarp that I guess weighs about 100lbs up on the trailer twice. The trick is to lift it up off of the ground using your legs then hit it with your knees to shoot it up where you can then just push it on the trailer. You also have to climb up on a load that is on the back of the trailer. You better have some upper body strength or you will not be able to pull yourself up.

You have to climb up on the back of the trailer and then back down, using three points of contact at all times.


You climb in and out of the truck using three points of contact. You must back out of the truck, not face first or you fail.

The driving test was not bad at all. I loved the automatics!!!! All I had to do was worry about where the back of my trailer was when making turns, and not about shifting gears.

The orientation is strict and you are on edge the whole time making sure that you are doing it right. The reason they do this is because they want you to realize what a responsibility you have going down the highway with a 50,000 lbs steel coil which will kill everything in its path if it comes off of that truck.

The first priority is the safety of the public that travel the roads with us.
It could be your husband, wife, child riding next to us and we do not want to harm them in any way.

Safety is first and you WILL be sent home for violations. No EXCUSES EVER!

One example: A recent graduate, now a Maverick Driver, wrote:

"We started with 20 and are down to 16. One could not lift the weight, one had high blood pressure, one either had family issues or they discovered something....we are not sure.

The last one was sent home for multiple safety violations while in extended training. We were working on chaining the coils. We were in split classes so I did not get to see it. But I heard they gave him plenty of chances and he just did not get it."

This is not for the faint of heart. You work your but off getting the loads chained, tarped, untarped and then unchained! No mater the weather!

Maverick does it above and beyond what the DOT says. It is the Maverick way or else.

The biggest thing they push here is safety! In fact they told us to put a picture of our family on the dash and look at them every time we do a securement and ask if you would want your family riding beside your load!

#1 is safety for the public, #2 safety for the driver, #3 safety for our load!

No life is worth getting anyone hurt or killed!

The training is excellent! The respect is there for the drivers!
When they gave us our job offers, they personally went around and gave us the offer and shook our hands. First class all the ways.

They hold everyone at Maverick to the same high standards! No exceptions!

They try to put you with a trainer that lives near you so you can get home on the weekends. If not they will put you in a hotel.

When you are on your own, their goal is to get you home or through the house on the weekends. It will all depend on where you delivery is on Monday. The delivery has to be there by 10:00 am. So your weekend may be longer or shorter depending on that.

There are no guarantees, but that is their goal. Everyone that spoke in front of us told us that they will not lie to us. You may not like what you hear but it will be the truth! I can live with that!

To learn more as to what happens outside of orentation, we encourage All New Hires to read this section in it's entirty: http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr.../101564-heading-for-little-rock-maverick.html
http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...29-im-going-maverick-newbie-trainee-blog.html

 

EXCELLENT!!!! thank you very much. My computer's scissor blades and glue bottle would have been dulled and run dry with all that cut and pasting but what you've done, should've been done a loooooooooong time ago.

 

Thanks Sarge, While I am still holding my breath & praying for the best, to help pass the time away, I figured the least I could do is to scour this site for any & all information regarding the first few weeks & try & get it all into one post, regardless of who supplied or wrote the information. While everyone on here has seen the various happenings, each one may have seen it from a very different perspective. And to me, what better way to gather information than to be able to see it all at one time, in one place, from the various diffent angles, instead of having to spend counless hours (Like I'm having to do) to locat it all.

Hopefully the forum moderators of this forum will see this & agree to leave my post open for editing for a while, at least until I am able to get everything into one place.

Of course, now, if you have more that you would like to share, then by all means, help a brother out, LOL

 

Is twic card mandatory? I thought maverick does not go into ports?

 

Mav goes into a lot of ports.