Any tips before I start orientation?

First - follow their rules !! ( show up on time , sober , and pay attention, everyday !!!)
2- watch the films/ videos and take notes !!
3- make a list of questions you'll have and ask them ( who does what such as disp , safety , maint , emergency help , and most important , what your supposed to do)
Don't pretend or act like you know it all , take notes , ask questions , and realize this work / job is nothing like a 9-5 job .
Good luck

 

With all due respect, shut up and listen to what they say. It's not in invitation to a discussion about the company policy. Nobody wants to hear your version of the policy. If you have questions, ask them, but ask directly a question not a 30 minute wandering word salad. Every meeting of truck drivers eventually degenerates into everyone telling the same stories and wasting time. The key to long-term success is staying off of the company radar. Behave in orientation like it's a job interview and not a day off with friends. It will be boring. Telling them it's boring will just make it longer and boring. Bring a blank voided check and social security card. Don't screw with your phone while people are talking. You'll survive not using your phone, probably.

 

And don't get toe up the night before and sleep in class........that always pisses them off

 

Maybe the best thing would be prepare stuff at home if you’re going to be away for the next months. Maybe get your passport, get your car inspected.. Stuff like that

Have a supply of everything you might use. Doesn’t need to be a two month supply but you might not be able to run to the convenience store while at orientation. So things like tums, cold meds, aspirin, or even pens, stamps, small calculator. Stuff like that.

Not sure if you’re going to be OTR but it’s good to keep a calendar. I print out a year or more ahead and mark all important dates. When you get your truck you can then plan your hometime around these important dates.

A lot of companies hometime policy is you have to give them 10 days notice or something an maybe 2 weeks out gets you 2 days home. So it helps a lot to have your hometime requests planned out. One guy told me he had the whole years hometime requests planned out lol.

 

Orientation is like an extended face to face job interview. You're being evaluated constantly. My first trucking job/orientation, the company paid the motel to report on the contents of your room trash can. Beer can in the trash=bye bye.

Don't be late. If you can't be responsible enough to show up to orientation on time, how can they rely on you to show up to shippers and receivers on time?

 

I'd ask them what day of orientation are the nice company trucker hats passed out. Shows yer proud to be part of their team!

 

Ask about Donuts as well

 

If it's a reefer job quit now.
Save yourself from being tortured.

 

He's not kidding.

-- L