Schneider newbies= lack of training

As a driver who went through schneiders orientation I know that your son had to take his SQT at the end of orientation. He was obviously good enough to pass and get a truck. I don't think they would have passed him just to get him on his way. If they didn't feel he was ready they would have either sent him home or kept him for more training. He just needs to have a little confidence in himself. It's a good thing he's starting now and not in the middle of winter. Some of those roads can get nasty! By the time winter comes he should have a reasonable amount of experience.

 

Some drivers with years of experience still have no clue! Haha

 

Oops wrong thread.

 

I second that. Just tell him to only go as fast as he is comfortable.

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Lol sounds like a kid I've talked to several times. He just keeps talking. Lol even when I'm trying to say something the cuts me off and blabs on. I'm like...wtf is the whole point of our conversation again? Kid said he things Portland OC and French camp OC is pretty tight lots. I was like WTF?! Lol he hasn't been to the Wal mart DC in Fontana, different locations in Long Beach like Yusen logistics, Byer inDT Los Angeles, and he hasn't experience Crockett, Ca at C&H. I actually like that place now lol but this kid has not sealed with snow, ice, fog, and rain yet. I had to deal with that cause I was give keys to my mid roof sleeper century 44416 in the week of thanksgiving. Oh btw: I had to learn how to put chains on my own too. Not 1 time I called my parents. When I did, it was to tell them I love them and I will be home in 5 days. It all had made me a better driver even with the 4 days of OTR training I got. Thank god, zero preventables, accidents, and keeping it safe. Tell him the only way he will get better at backing in any tight crowded place, is to do it. Even though I'm new, it's fun watching a fresh driver out on week 1 backing. They are getting nervous and frustrated but that's how you learn!

 

Hey Mom , did he make it home for the 4th ?

 

I don't and have never have worked for Schneider, but can tell you that most (not all) of the companies that send new drivers out with trainers for weeks, are not really doing any training, as the "Trainer" might only have 6 months (Example: Swift Requirements) experience himself/herself and you cannot learn from someone still learning, not to mention that a trainer should be in the passenger seat, not sleeping in the bunk. Personally, I'd be more concerned with the ease of getting a CDL (California Experience), I attended driving school with people that did not speak or understand english, one guy was on his second go around, as it took him 8 weeks to memorize the words to say to the DMV tester, they should change the system to a question and answer, as opposed to the way it is now. Not to mention, there should be a required number of journeyman hours, before the DMV will even consider you for a professional license, as there is with other trades. What I'm saying is; there first needs to be a system for becoming a Licensed trainer (min. Logged on the road hours, not years licensed, as you could drive for a month and sit on your rear for 3 years at a desk with a CDL), then once a prospective new driver get his/her permit, they must do X amount of LOGGED on the road training with the trainer in the passenger seat, (kind of like getting a pilots license) before he/she can even test for a CDL.

As for me, I attended school (4-Weeks), took a ridiculous test of skills at the DMV and was handed a license to drive an 80,000lb vehicle down the highway. Attended a 10 day orientation/training (learned more there in 10 days, than 4 weeks of school) at Watkins Shepard, passed their final and was tossed a set of keys to my own truck and told "Your first load is on your Qualcom". Scary, but exciting experience! Hindsight being 20/20, although I personally believe immersion is a good teaching method, I know I could have benefited from having an EXPERIENCED trainer in the passenger seat, would have made those tough/tight (running LTL up the Ca coast with 22 stops, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Santa Barbara, Etc) deliveries a bit less stressful in the beginning, not to mention a new driver does not know if he/she is developing bad habits, that could easily be corrected with a trainer in the seat, as opposed to figuring it out over time.
Personally, I ended up ok, no tickets, accidents, etc, but as Youtube can show, there are a lot of new drivers that have not been so lucky, but I do agree with the poster that said there are a lot more (4) wheeler accidents and add that a majority of Big Rig accidents are caused by (4) wheelers.

I will add: To any new or prospective drivers, for god sake, if the gear you selected on the down grade is not holding, hit the brake, get your RPM's up and downshift! Don't believe the idiots that say you cannot or should not shift on a downgrade (one gear lower than what you went up the hill in is good in theory, but not practical for every situation), learn your RPM/Speed/Gear matches, hell print them on a card and tape it to the dash if you cannot remember them and use it, as I can always tell a new driver by the way he/she leaves an unmistakeable brake smell trail down a hill, DANGEROUS!
Oh! And don't feather the brake to slow you down to downshift, if you're not holding in the gear you selected, (again, you have to know you RPM/Speed/Gear matches) hit the brake to slow to the appropriate speed, get your RPM's up and slide it into the lower gear. Using your brakes on a short grade is not a problem, but you'll (if you're lucky) find out what a runaway ramp is real quick sitting on your brakes on the I70 coming out of the Eisenhower Tunnel (Vail Pass), I84 Emigrant Hill, Route 6 Loveland Pass, I5 Siskiyou Summit, Etc (Just some limited examples of easy downgrades if you know how to downshift).

One more thing: Always keep an open mind, always be a student no matter how much experience you have, its the ones that know it all and have nothing to learn that are the most dangerous. You will not meet many new electricians that have been zapped working on live wires, but you'll meet plenty of Experienced electricians (Super Electricians if you will) that have gotten complacent and shocked themselves. Just my $0.02.

I know, I know Super Truckers, these are not the toughest or as you would say, "No pass is tough", but this post was obviously not directed at the Super Truckers out there, as you don't need any advice, You're a Super Trucker! LOL....