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Have experience OTR, drove daycabs recently, nervous bout Schneider road test...

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Joe4167, Sep 19, 2011.

  1. Sep 19, 2011 #1
    Joe4167

    Joe4167 Light Load Member

    57
    22
    Aug 30, 2011
    Houston, TX
    0
    Hey everyone, I've got experience over the road at Prime. I did 60,000 miles team "training" with Prime, than another six months on my own.

    I have experience before Prime hauling oversized loads (combines, farm equipment, doubles, etc.)

    I have experience before that driving a Class B heating oil truck.

    Schneider has offered me a job, and I'm going to accept it, but when I left Prime (probably a huge mistake despite how terrible the company was) I had three months in between jobs.

    Now I'm driving a day cab doing hand-unloads (ROLLERS). I get into super tight spaces with this job and I can blindside back and all that.

    When I went to work at Prime I didn't know how to back up worth a crap, but their "road test" was super easy. They passed people who shouldn't have passed.

    But than again... they were putting people with "trainers" for 60,000 miles.

    Schneider is hiring me as an "experienced driver."

    They say it will be a 3 to 4 day orientation for me, and that since I'm an experienced driver I won't have to go through training after orientation... once I pass the road test I get my own truck.

    That sounds great, but i've heard their test is way tougher than Prime's.

    In the real world I can back in super tight spots (even blindside) and not worry about it. I'll get out and look as many times as I need to, but oftentimes I don't need to do that because I'm pretty good at backing. I've got the xp with it.

    But i'm worried that daycab driving may have given me some bad habits and hoping it won't mess me up on Schneider's test.

    Does anyone know how tough their test is?

    With my experience should it be a piece of cake or are they really strict on things that wouldn't even matter in the real world?

    Sorry for the long winded rambling, and thanks for any advice you can give me.

    I really am looking to get into OTR again and with what I've learned from this website I believe I will be able to have a much better experience second time around knowing what I know now.

    But... if i fail the road test at Schneider (considering i'm not paying to go to their school, i'm being hired as an experienced driver) what happens???

    A bus ticket home... and than no job since I left the job I got now to go to orientation and fail the road test?

    See my dilema?

    Not really making it as it is right now. But, i don't want to dig a deeper hole trying to get out of the hole i've already dug.
     
    Joe4167, Sep 19, 2011
    Joe4167, Sep 19, 2011
    #1
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  3. Sep 20, 2011 #2
    7122894003481

    7122894003481 Bobtail Member

    1
    1,996
    Sep 6, 2011
    0
    Relax! I dont care what anybody here says, driving a daycab and a sleeper isnt THAT much of a difference.

    Yes, its a noticeable difference. Yes you have a back window in a day cab. Yes they are different wheelbases.

    Big deal, Ive driven both plenty. It shouldnt be very hard to adjust to the new, bigger tractor.
     
    7122894003481, Sep 20, 2011
    7122894003481, Sep 20, 2011
    #2
  4. Sep 20, 2011 #3
    Tazz

    Tazz Road Train Member

    2,821
    1,133
    Oct 25, 2009
    Lynchburg,Tn
    0
    Concentrate on the mechanics of what you are driving. You know how to drive just adapt the mechanics to the vehicle.

    Watch your turns, double check your backs, and above all else breathe. This isn't reinventing the wheel, it is the exact same thing you have been doing now in different equipment.


    Good luck, and keep us posted.
     
    Tazz, Sep 20, 2011
    Tazz, Sep 20, 2011
    #3
  5. Sep 20, 2011 #4
    jakecat22

    jakecat22 Road Train Member

    1,529
    26,294
    Jul 1, 2011
    Ohio
    0
    With your experience I wouldn't worry. I started with Schneider as a green horn and passed the road test. They are very big on safety.

    G.O.A.L If you are backing, then GOAL, Schneider doesn't care how many times you GOAL to get in a space, as long as you get in it safely, but if you back into the space perfectly and don't GOAL they will fail you.

    Don't hit any curbs and identify "button hook" turns and properly set up for them. They don't want you crossing the yellow line into the other lane when turning a sharp right, if you do those things you will pass no problem.
     
    jakecat22, Sep 20, 2011
    jakecat22, Sep 20, 2011
    #4
  7. Sep 20, 2011 #5
    nuts&bolts123

    nuts&bolts123 Light Load Member

    119
    51
    Aug 16, 2011
    bensalem pa
    0
    screw them! get in truck familarize yourself with controls, adjust mirrors etc. listen to instruction and perform task. if you need to get out and check do it. the guy next to you dosent exist while performing your task. just do what you normally would do .
     
    nuts&bolts123, Sep 20, 2011
    nuts&bolts123, Sep 20, 2011
    #5
  8. Sep 20, 2011 #6
    Krom

    Krom Light Load Member

    94
    36
    Sep 16, 2010
    Bumville, USA
    0
    First and the only time I have driven a daycab was my 40 miles long road test with Ryder. I didn't notice much of a difference in driving a daycab, backing a daycab is easier though.
     
    Krom, Sep 20, 2011
    Krom, Sep 20, 2011
    #6
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