Questions about USA Truck training, pay

Discussion in 'USA Truck' started by hamertime, Feb 4, 2012.

  1. Green Machine

    Green Machine Medium Load Member

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    Jul 23, 2009
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    I'm not exactly sure what all they do now... as my upgrade class was the last class (or 2nd to last) to do the one day upgrade. I think it is three or four days now.

    Test you on your 45* backing (follow everything USA says to do)
    Test you on the road. This includes setting up for a tight right turn the USA way and a couple other things you will see in the manual when you go to orientation.
    They also give you a written test (got 100%).
    They also will have you do the three computer review things again that you had to do while you were with a trainer.
    They also talk about safety and a few other things.
    I'm assuming they've added a few things as well since this isn't just a one day upgrade anymore... unless they changed that again too haha.

    Your trainer should help you out with any questions or concerns about anything. He/She should also have you practice the 45* backing and other driving maneuvers you will be tested on.
     
    RetiredSarge Thanks this.
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  3. Moose1958

    Moose1958 Road Train Member

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    Williesburg, Virignia
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    In my upgrade class we started on Tuesday with the backing tests in the morning and the road tests in the afternoon with some paperwork and some practice written tests to look at. While we were waiting some of us used the computers and worked on smith system training and egears on some other safety related topics. The 2nd day was things like how to put chains on and we went outside and got some limited practice on sliding tandems and keeping legal weight wise. I think we also did the main written test that 2nd day as well. The 2nd and 3rd days was presentations by the safety dept they went over logs and other matters involving safety then the safety director gave his speech. Karen Davis called us all in 4 or 5 at a time and talked to us about the training dept and we all filled out evaluations on our trainers. Then someone came over from operations and went over the fleet managers etc etc. Then we went into the shop and was shown how to regen the trucks and the DPF filters on the APUs. Then they passed out the certificates and became drivers not upgrades. While all of this was going on Karen Davis gave out tractor assignments and/or gave us bus tickets either home or to our assigned tractors. I am sure I am leaving a lot out because it's been a bit over a year since I upgraded.
     
    RetiredSarge Thanks this.
  4. BearFunkey

    BearFunkey Light Load Member

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    Dec 11, 2011
    Indianapolis, In
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    Its a one day testing session, written first, videos, road test, backing, wait on a truck if you pass.
     
    RetiredSarge Thanks this.
  5. RetiredSarge

    RetiredSarge Medium Load Member

    Would you suggest going ahead and getting your truck or getting that bus ticket first in order to get your stuff? Or look around the yard first and see whats available before you make that decision? LOL
     
  6. Green Machine

    Green Machine Medium Load Member

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    Jul 23, 2009
    Ohio
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    I'm going to pull this number out of my @%#, but 80%+ will get bussed somewhere to get their truck. Out of 10 people in my upgrade, 1 got a truck on the yard there in VanBuren. The rest were shipped all over... West Memphis, Chicago, South Carolina (me), etc...

    I would personally suggest go home and get the things you NEED to have in your truck and take your 5 days off. Then get bussed (again) to your truck.
     
  7. chemsoldier1

    chemsoldier1 Medium Load Member

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    Apr 10, 2011
    Lufkin, TX
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    I agree with this. Only one girl in my upgrade group got a truck on Van Buren yard. I think there were 22 of us. About 2-3 (including myself) got trucks at West Memphis and then there were onesies and twosies that got trucks at other terminals. About half of the class had trucks that were in drop yards or at dealerships. Including two guys who had to bus out west. One went to Las Vegas and the other had to go by bus all the way to Fontana, CA.

    Oh and the availability of trucks will mean absolutely NOTHING. There seems to be no method to the madness with truck assignments. They may have 5 unnassigned at Van Buren and will only fill one while sending everybody to the 4 corners of the earth to get others.
     
    Supper Raven Thanks this.
  8. Supper Raven

    Supper Raven Bobtail Member

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    Jan 31, 2012
    Raeford , NC
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    Thanks everyone for their input. I hope it runs smooth and we get rolling.
     
  9. RetiredSarge

    RetiredSarge Medium Load Member

    Hey Raven, get your ### back up here so you can do some driving!!!! LOL
     
  10. tamip

    tamip Light Load Member

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    You have to do a logs test, general knowledge tests, and road tests to upgrade and get your own truck. Expect to be with a trainer for approx 35 days and you must get 4 hrs behind the wheel daily for that day to count. In other words your trainer shouldn't be driving at all. You need to be doing all the driving. As for getting home after you upgrade, after I went to get my truck the first load I got was sending me home. They will do what they can to get you home as soon as possible. That might be a few days but it will happen.
     
  11. tamip

    tamip Light Load Member

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    Oct 9, 2013
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    You won't necessarily get a truck off the yard unless they issue it to you. It's pointless asking for that truck.
     
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