The secret deBoer letters.

Dear Sis,

Well, week three has now passed, and it was an eventful week too. As you know, I passed my CDL test day 14 Thursday. Now let me fill you in on how the rest of the week went.

Day 11: The week began with two more new deBoer students. Both were CDL holders here for a refresher and of course, getting their brainwashed by the UCT. For me and the other two three week deBoer students from Texas now in their second week, we continued to stay together on the QM with the same instructor from last week. Again we rotated driving duties and our instructor took us to different areas including a live dock at a nearby trucking firm. Our instructor was a real perfectionist when it came to backing and parking the rig and had some good pointers to achieve this. We learned a lot and it helped my backing.

Day 12: Not much happened today that was different than yesterday. Same instructor, same truck, same group. Only routes taken were different and that I got a little sick that evening for some reason, feeling light headed.

Day 13: Today was for the most part, a fun day, for we had Skid pad until evening classes. For skid pad, we attended a 1.5 hour lecture first about what to do to control a skid. From this we were taught to recognize our personal limitations, vehicle limitations, and information, like road conditions to prevent a skid in the first place. We also tested our reflexes, and I learned that my reflexes were above average. Overall, some good information and when the class was over, out to the skid pads where we split into two groups, one going to the trucks and the other to the cars. I was in the first group to go to the trucks. This constituted of two single axel tractors with trailer, and a single axel bobtail. What they try to teach you are the correct techniques to prevent a skid. The proper technique is to let off the fuel, clutch, and steer towards a reference point. This part of the class was a bit frustrating because the instructions were not the clearest and when either you or your partner (controlling the “buttons” to send you into a skid) did something wrong you were not usually given a chance to redo it. It would have been great to redo runs again and again to get a hang of controlling skids. In any case, I learned that bobtails are FREAKING dangerous. I spun around in that bobtail like a toy top. Only one student was able to keep it under control and then only once. Controlling a skid was easier when pulling a trailer for the most part. After we were done with the trucks, we switched to the cars for the afternoon.

The cars were FUN. We had Ford “Police Interceptor” Crown Victoria’s to do our skids in. They were a blast, reminding me of my days with my first car, a 1970 Mach 1 Mustang. We would go through a course at one speed, when faster, and then faster still. Sometimes with ABS on, other times off. On two of the courses, we would go around and weave through a shalom course, which was a blast. I was able to get though that at the towards the end a bit over 35 mph without hitting the cones. Basically, we learned that ABS was great at controlling skids and especially while maneuvering. I also learned that cops get to have fun driving those Vics, especially hearing that holly 4-barrel open up when you hammered downed! Overall, the lesson is to slow down, and that just a few mph, as little as four, can mean the difference between controlling your truck or ending up going backwards or sideways down the highway.

In the evening part of the class, for it was Wednesday which meant an extended day, the instructors took us out on a road trip, for which I got to drive most of it. We went out into the country and back. It was pretty impressive seeing about trucks and trailers all together, and I had fun especially from stories from other students when we got back about their getting lost and catching up.

Day 14: CDL test, which I already covered. In the evening, my roommate, the two Texas deBoer students, and one of the deBoer refresher students went to Outback steakhouse to celebrate by CDL. Had a great time and as far as I am concerned, would rather spend free time with truck drivers than with most of my former IT co-workers.

Day 15: After Dispatch, I went to the DMV to get my license, and afterwards, caught up with my roommate in the QM. I spent the afternoon running routes and alley backing. I am getting decent alley backing, getting my trailer in the hole most of the time, needing either none or just a little pull up to straighten the trailer out. Just before we finished for the day, an “incident” took place. I did not see it, but someone entering the truck stop pulling a trailer knocked over the fence and guardrail at the entrance, really ripping them up. Of course, speculation was rampant over who did this, for no one seemed to have witness it. Soon the scuttle-but was that it was a ten week student, in their eight week (and having had a CDL for five weeks) was responsible. Sad to see a student finishing CDL School with a preventable on their record. Will probably have to drive for JB Hunt or Prime, since no one else will accept him. I was also relieved that it was not one of us partnership students responsible. As far as I can tell on average, our partnership program students drive better than the 10 week students. Then again, I am biased. Well Sis, it's late and I need to study for final exams Thursday, so take care.



T. E. Hambledon

 

Just a quick update, I have graduated and am now in Sherry WI, where deBoer is located. I have met and talked to quite a few drivers, and they have pretty much confirmed that I picked the right company to train and start out with. More later.

 

I really don't have time to do an update, but I will respond to this. Training and Oriantation pay do indeed suck, but as for everything else, I beg to differ. I spent the last weekend at deBoer HQ, and talked to about six company drivers. All have been with deBoer for many years, and say that they are very happy with this company. These are expierenced drivers who can drive for any company in the US, but choose to stay with deBoer. deBoer turnover ratio is much better than the industry average, almost half as much, so they have to be doing something right. deBoer also seems to listen to their drivers, for instance, ordering recently almost a dozen manual trucks for those drivers who do not want an automatic.

No, in no way is this the perfect company, but so far, they have kept their promises. My own opinion is that deBoer is cheap with everything except pay, and miles. You don't get good pay for layover, unloading, extra stops, housing, or orination. However, the pay is decent (yes, you can do better, but do you get the miles?) and you get all the miles you want, home time when you request it. They also seem to be less nit picky about company rules and such, especially if you have a history of on time delivery.

My training at FVTC was first rate, and my trainer is also the same, having more than 20 years expierence training new drivers. I have no regrets so far, am only impatient to get my own truck. I will try to finish up this thread as soon as I can but tomorrow am off to the NW after delivering our current load here in Las Vegas. Pre-Planning so far has been working like a charm, coming through twice already. I have been on the road for less than three days, and have already racked up over 1800 miles. I drove from KC to the near the Twin Cites, then down to Las Vegas through the rockies, and had a blast.

 

NP. I don't think that deBoer or ANY company is perfect. I guess it just boils down to if what you don't like about a company can be put up with for that which you like.