Ask A May Trainer

This is one of things that I liked about May. The idea of being forced to train for weeks or months (most other companies require a certain time no matter) was not good. I appreciated that they allow the trainer and trainee to determine the time required. I maybe had around 2 weeks, possibly just under, of actual driving/training time (there was home time for my trainer, and Christmas was in there too), and that was perfect. But, everyone is different.

I've always hated cookie-cutter solutions. Just because someone else has trouble with shifting and can't seem to grasp the Qualcomm, why should I be forced to train longer? I learn well on my own, so getting the basics and being cut loose worked for me. But like I said, each case is different...

 

This may have been covered so I apologize in advance if I am asking an already answered question. What all does May have you do for the driving test? What types of backing maneuvers? If your shifting still needs a little honing or your backing needs some work will they disqualify you?

 

If you get your CDL you will pass the tests. Get out and look before crossing any threshold, and before starting to back. Use your horn each time you start to back. Do your best not to run over a cone, they are expensive and hard to replace.
As for the drive, do it like you were taking your CDL test again, don't hit anything and take your time. Don't worry too much about a little grind or missing a gear. Our trucks are a little different than what you used in school with our governor and such.

Dozzer

 

So you do a closed course with cones first then onto the road portion?

Sounds about like what we are doing right now at tech school. Two nights range dodging cones and two nights road dodging cars and signs! Lol

 

Most that I have seen out of Brooks they always do the road test first and then the skills course. I am sitting in Denver now though, and it looks like they are doing skills first with the guys. It may depend on the terminal and how many people they have to run through the tests. Of course if there is a big enough group they may do some simultaneously in order to expedite the process.

Dozzer

 

yeah in denver its course then road, and I don't believe there is anyone in denver besides the one safety guy that does the testing

 

I did my orientation out of Brooks. Road test was first, then cone-dodging. I learned in a 9-speed at school (with a little 10-speed action thrown in), so during the first road test, he just had me treat the 13-speed like a 9; ignoring the splitter. After training, during my solo test, my trainer told me much of what has been said; don't hit anything, get out and look, and when shifting on the road, it's more about how you recover from a missed-shift than not missing any... My tester had a steady, distracting conversation going, and I mis-shifted from 6-hi, to 7-hi without dropping the splitter down. Made a horrible grinding noise, and going up hill with 43,000lbs in the box bogged the engine down good. I quickly flipped the splitter and recovered; that's the key. We all miss shifts, it's what you do after that matters...

 

I have lived in the Phoenix area my whole life...and since it never snows here, I've only driven in snow about 3 times....ever! So, my question to the trainers is do you find it a big deal when you have a trainee that has no experience in snow or is it a pretty simple thing to teach? Hopefully this isn't a dumb question. Thanks in advance for any responses.

 

I'm not gonna lie,i get nervous with a student driving in snow. Find your safe speed. Don't accelerate to quickly don't use your jake in icy conditions. Slow n steady

 

I've lived with snow most of my life, and driven on it and ice plenty... My trainer was still nervous with the idea of me driving on it. Understandable, it can be nerve-wracking.

Like Joker says; just go really slow (screw what anyone thinks about it), and if you have doubts, take the time to put chains on. Better that than on your side in the ditch...