Crete Training

Hello Quick,

I just went thru the 8 wks, and have been in "my" truck since Dec 15th.

What can you expect? Well, these are only my thoughts based on my recent experience. Another guy may have a completely different experience...

IF you and your trainer like each other and get along alright rather than having some sort of personality conflict then the rest of it is nothing more than practicing what you learned and learning a lot more, during a crappy yet useful 8 wks.

Your sleep will suck as you will be in the top bunk and the heat that will be going at night to keep Mr. Bottom Bunk at his preferred temp, well, heat rises pal and you will sweat your ### off. Good luck.

If he is a bit territorial, and self indulged with a hint in inconsideration, your feet will freeze or your feet will roast/sweat depending on what your trainer likes over there in the passenger side as you'll discover there is no such thing as equal amounts of air delivery to driver and passenger side foot vents, and as long as he is comfy well, that's all that matters. Get over it. "My feet are cold" will be his response if you mention your sweating feet as you drive, and you'll note he may even turn the temp up a bit as he doesn't want to be uncomfy at all.

You will have to learn to eat irregularly, not completely healfully either. It is not "your" truck and you will therefore have minimal storage for food, let alone more than about a quart's worth of room in any cooler he may have. ...If he uses one.

You will have the comfort of not being responsible, per say, of any of the loads you pick up, drive and deliver during your training. He is responsible for that. However, you are responsible for paying attention to what he's telling you in regard to your new job. Listen to him, listen well and take notes when he's telling you something in particular (while he is driving of course).

There are a great many things I learned from my trainer, and I now wish I'd have taken more notes. Pay attention to the "in's and out's" at shippers and consignee's. Pay attention to the Qualcom use, have him let you create, and respond to, messages.

I was lucky. Although I suffered a bit as described above, i learned a lot during my time with my trainers. (5 weeks with a 'national' trainer and two weeks with a Walmart dedicated driver trainer due to the Christmas week national guy took off)

On last bit of advice, don't bring too much. Your trainer will call you and you can discuss his particulars regarding what to bring, what not to. One thing you will want to bring tho is anti-bacterial wipes. Several containers. You will not shower every day.

Good luck, learn a lot and be safe. Oh, one more thing if I may: "Mirrors, road signs and logs". Use them, pay attention to them and do them right away when you stop.

-Steve.

 

Hi, I start with Crete/Shaffer next week and am a little concerned about the physical tests they give you to make sure you can do the job. I am mostly concerned with lifting heavy weights as I have sitting behind a desk for the last 30 years. I am OK with crouching, climbing, pushing and pulling - it is just the heavy lifting.

Can anyone give me a good description of what to expect?

Thanks!

 

I was with Crete for almost 10 years ending in 2008 and I don't remember any physical tests at all. I had a few driver unloads but nothing overly strenuous. Good luck at Crete, I might see you over there later this year.

Oh, and I saw your other posts about the Houston drop yard. Sorry, but I can't help you with that, never knew they had one. Might seem counter-intuitive but they never used to give out a list of the drop yards. I was there 5 years before I found out they had one in Memphis, for example.

 

Thanks Blackadder. I just got the address for the drop yard in another post.

The physical test includes climbing into a simulated trailer using a DOT Bumper, ducking under it to simulate checking a 5th wheel, and picking up a series of weights - all while having you heart beat monitored. My only concern is how heavy of weights do they use. I am good up to 75 pounds - but need to do some crash weight training if it's heavier.

Hope to see you soon. I report to Wilmer on 6/15/11.

Drive safe!

 

From what I have read it is 25, 50, and 75 pounds. You should be good. Im starting orientation in Marietta on Monday. I have 3 years with another company, though, so I won't need to go out with a trainer for 8 weeks.

 

Oh that's not good.

Even one of my friend working in tuck driving company from 3.5 years. He made his mind to change a company. But when he gone to new company they told him to undergo training.