Intermodal Orientation

@UturnGirl

 

You won't have to spend long with a trainer. You will just be learning the system. It'll definitely be less than a week before they turn you lose on your own... unless you request to spend more time with the trainer. That's what the transfer portal representative told me when I was considering doing a regional Intermodal position a few years back. I'd have had to go touch OH, IL, MN, WI, KY and IN since I lived not too far from Cincy. I didn't want to have to go through those ports, but a female friend had grown accustomed to doing it in a short period of time. She cleared 100k her first full year of juuging in and out of Chicago. Call up to a recruiter to confirm and or debunk the info.

 

Even if you're an experienced driver, they still send you out overnight with a trainer?

 

It's account specific training. Throwing you to the wolves would be inhumane

 

Yeah, the rail yards have their own quirks, that everyone goes through. Much easier with a guide to assist.

 

I've been to a few railyards on my own. It's not that bad. Don't think a trainer is necessary for it.

 

When I drove intermodal for Hunt I was with a trainer during orientation for 3 days. It was in a day cab a I went back to the hotel the put me up in every night. After orientation I went home in my personal vehicle and then I got my truck with a sleeper. Out for as long as I wanted to.

 

Can only answer that here on the West Coast, A week about average, one thing they don't take you into the container ship yards on this coast, the lead driver will leave you outsidethe gate, go in swap out containers and pick you back up on the way out, has to do with most of the weest coast container / shipping yard do not allow passengers in the cab, not big deal. When you go on your own you will get it sorted quick enough, just tell them at the sign in screen first time in, you can go into the office and get a map for that yard.
Biggest thing to remember about containers is to treat hem like an unsecured load, take the speed you wold go around a corner and slowdown by at least half. Here most of the accident are on/off ramps taken to fast. Look up Pepe's Heavy Duty Towing lots of videos on roll overs from speed. Second in not securing the container to the chassis properly. personally I carry floursent yellow tiewraps, so the can easily be seen when in route so CHP knows the locks are secure.
Don't sweat the small stuff, when you don't know ask, most the oter drivers in the container yards will help.