Follow me through Central refrigeration training 2.

its easy empty. wait till there is 46k in the box and your goin dow nthat same hill and its snowin and you cant flip on the jake.

 

Agreed, on all points...however, since the post I made deals more with just the 'training' aspect...I'm just letting 'future' newbies to not fret about the thought of mountain driving. In reality, everything in training is not real world...I know that and understand that. However, the training does give a basis of skill to be able to build upon. So while driving around during training on good roads is nice, it does not compare with getting weight in the back on bad roads (slick) with no 'supervision' in the likes of an instructor sitting in the seat next to you.

So Rugerfan is correct - thanks for the comment and reality check for those that think everything will be just peachy keen.

 

Never heard of a Jake on a pick-up...

 

Yep, my 2007 Dodge 3500 Cummins-equipped diesel has one.

 

2010 Dodge Diesel 2500...I was surprised to see that there was one on there as well...standard equipment.

 

Jakes on a pu, my dad had it on his 2008 chev 3500.
Mountains it's all in the set up. Read those downgrade signs and adjust for conditions. For example if you want to drive 45mph due to conditions take the gear you would be driving on flat ground and reduce by 2 gears (I have a 13spd so that would be one gear on the 9sp) if it is snowy reduce another gear and you will need to use the service break more. Central does not suggest using the jake, but I do set it on low, and leave it on. The issue comes when you have it on high and keep putting it on and off, thats going to cause your drives to slip.

 

Was tired and not feeling well yesterday so will post today.

Training Day 11, Oct. 11, 2012

Today (Thursday) was Backing Testing. Required backs are Straight Line, Off-Set, and Parallel. You will also learn Ally Dock and will need to pass that for 'Central' - not for CDL. Everyone in the class did well...except for one person. Throughout training, it's a 3 strikes and you're out type of deal. Well, this person failed their pre-trip test twice...finally passed on his third try...however, left him with 2 strikes. For his backing...he wasn't the best at backing but was able to do his straight line back. It was the parallel that got him - I think he tried twice but just couldn't do it. Sad to see him go. So out of the 18 that we started with (I think I had said 17 earlier) after the initial shakedown, we are down to 16.

Training Day 12, Oct. 12, 2012

Friday - Final Drive test today. If you get this far and pass, congratulations, you passed the course and will get your CDL and then on to Orientation.

The Final Drive test isn't anything to be worried about...or rather is 'shouldn't' be anything to worry about. In the days leading up to this, you've shifted, you've down-shifted, you've turned left and right, you've changed lanes, you've made stops...there is nothing in the final drive test that you haven't already done, so just relax. Everyone in our group passed!! - we were worried about a couple of people, but they came out just fine.

So we passed and get our CDL's now...we are far from being experts or experienced though..well, 'some' of the guys may think differently - hah. As for me, I know there is still plenty of learning to be done...hence, the next training phase of going otr with a trainer. First, we'll do some close-quarters driving tomorrow in the yard and then we'll have 3 days of orientation. I suspect that we'll know who our trainers will be sometime early next week...and I suspect that some will leave on Wed with their trainers while some may have to wait till Sat. or maybe even the following Monday - we'll see.

Since training really consists of more than just these first two weeks, you really get more training here than in both the tech and service industries...at least that has been my experience. In the tech world, after a few weeks of 'training', you are kind of forced into a 'learn as you go' routine and ask questions as needed. Now, I have yet to be out with my trainer and I suspect that I may still have to ask plenty of questions. However, the training 'does' continue...so I expect to make the most of it.

 

Congrats diner Man, Keep us posted how long it takesto get a trainer as well as how the rest of training goes. Thank you for your post. Good luck the rest of the way. I hope to be there soon.

 

Training Day 13, Oct. 13, 2012

Last Day of Training (of the initial two week training course to get your CDL). Today was more of a relaxed day since all of us in the class passed all of our tests including the final drive test. Today was close quarters driving to simulate driving in a truck stop or tight docking bays. A course is setup with various stations outlined with cones...as you drive, you can't hit the cones. If you are careful and listen to the instructions, you can get through the course without hitting any of the cones. Some of the turns and maneuvers are tight, but doable. A few of us were able to get through without hitting any cones - most everyone hit a few but got better as the day went along. For the few of us that didn't hit any cones...no, we aren't experts and we still have lots to learn...however, we were smart enough to pay attention and then we took the course slow and easy. Hint - when it's not your turn to drive, watch how others go through the course...it's still a learning experience as well - even without driving.

So, we went through two weeks of CDL class training - Mon-Sat, then Mon-Sat again. Our next three days will be orientation (Mon-Wed) and then we'll meet our trainers and will head out with them for our otr training. During the two weeks, the pace is a bit fast...some do well in this environment, some don't. We had some in our group that this was very challenging, but they made it through. Others, well, there will ALWAYS be people that want to buck the system and get things done quicker. My advice, just relax, listen to what the instructors have to say, and then just do what they ask you to do. I mean, you aren't going anywhere and the instructors are not going to change the program just to satisfy you, so you might as well go with the flow - it takes 2 weeks to get through 2 weeks - you can't finish the 2 weeks in 1 1/2 weeks.

Is the training worth it up to this point? I say yes...I mean, I passed and got my CDL and that was my intent. Do I have tons still to learn? ABSOLUTELY!!! - I expect to learn it though...and will continue to learn every day. How did I do personally?? - I'll just say this...I'm still posting about my experience which means I am able to continue on with the otr training. In order to get your CDL, a pass is a pass is a pass. When you look at someones CDL that barely passed the course vs someone that did very good on everything, you can't tell the two CDL's apart. The next training phase I think is where the differences will start to show up, and I do wish all of my classmates well.

Couple of hints...for those of you coming to Utah for training...look at what time of year we are getting to. Winter will be here before you know it - Utah is a mountain state and it CAN get cold here. To be blunt, don't be stupid and think you'll get by with shorts and a sweatshirt. Come prepared for cold weather. Once you are out of the classroom setting (basically, first 3-4 days only), you will be spending a lot of time out in the yard. If you are used to warm weather states, you'll feel the cold when it gets to 25 degrees and then the wind blows taking the wind chill down to maybe 15? Better to be prepared than to be a frozen popsicle!! Second, if you aren't driving, pay attention to others that are driving - don't zone off someplace else. Treat this training as a means to a good profession...in other words, be a professional through and through - things will probably go better for you that way.

Tomorrow is an off day (Sunday) - then back in a class setting come Monday as we start our orientation. Will continue to let you know how things go.

 

Orientation Day 1 - Oct. 15, 2012

Since 'Class' training is now over, we now move to the three day orientation before getting on the truck with our trainer.

Today was a lot of waiting around in the morning - why? Well, the DMV can only go so fast...though we all know that they could probably work a bit harder - hah. Anyway, the first part of the morning is spent in the classroom and then you head down to the DMV to get your CDL (paper copy only - hard copy to be sent to your home). I think we left from the class around 8:30ish or somewhere around there...depending on how large your class is, the larger the class the longer the wait. You've got to take the shuttle to the DMV and the shuttle can only hold about 10 or so?? I'm guessing because I don't take the shuttle...being that I live here in Utah, I drive in every day. Since I have my car, I just drove to the DMV and took out all the shuttle wait time...IT WAS WELL WORTH IT!!

Also, Monday is a busy day for the DMV anyway, so you have the DMV 'normal' line to deal with as well as other trucking companies (mainly CR England) adding to the line at the DMV. I got to the DMV around 8:45, got my 'ticket' (the ticket you get with a number on it - you need to wait until your number is called before you can really do anything at the DMV) just shortly before 9:00 AM. Now, I was lucky, I beat part of another class from CR England but unfortunately, there was already another CDL group (from ???) already waiting with their tickets. The first shuttle with our group didn't get to the DMV till about 30 min after I got there. By the time my number was finally called, it was about 9:20 AM and my business only took a minute or two. So that's the good news...once you get to the window at the DMV, it's quick and easy and you're done. The wait is the wait for the shuttle to get TO the DMV, and then, depending on how long the line already is at the DMV, then having to wait for the shuttle to get back FROM the DMV. Like I said...we got out of class around 8:30 AM...some people didn't get back from the DMV till about 1:00 PM. You gotta get it done though so just plan on waiting...and waiting...and waiting - no big deal though.

The afternoon rolls along pretty good. Payroll comes in and goes over stuff that you won't remember, then Driver Services comes in and talks to you. Good information from both, but again, a lot of people will forget a lot of what you go through. No worries though...plenty of people to help you out.

Oh - we also get breakfast and lunch now too...we got lunch today (up to $5.50 in the cafeteria downstairs), we'll get breakfast tomorrow (I think up to $4.00), we'll have lunch (pizza) up in the classroom as the Lease/Op dept comes and chats, then we'll get breakfast and lunch on Wed. Not a bad deal.

Our group in orientation is now up to 31 as we joined with the GA and CA groups as well as any others that only need to go through the orientation (CDL people that have experience and such). Of the 31, I think two are experienced drivers that will go immediately to their own trucks, and then 1 is a l/o. That leaves 28 that will be going out with trainers. Of the 28, 3 are ladies in which 2 of them want to make sure they have a female trainer. To my surprise, most of the group consist of non-smokers - nothing against smokers...I just thought the number of smokers would be higher.

So tomorrow we will go through more orientation stuff, and then Wed. is only a 1/2 day. We won't find out who our trainers will be till Wed noon time (roughly). Some of us will be heading out Wed afternoon...others from then till maybe even Sunday - just the luck of the draw I guess.

That's all for now.