Follow me through Central refrigeration training 2.

I deceide to start a second thread just to possible have more current info for us newbies. So this is day one but, not really. I am on the bus heading to Salt Lake. Upon arrival I am suppose to call a shuttle to pick me up and possible some other new drivers. Shuttle will then transport us over to the training terminal. I will get checked in and will advise of the wonderful dorm rooms I have heard of. Maybe I can post a picture of it. Update later and as time allows. I am here to learn so the post will come third on my list of to dos. Study, talk with my kids, then I will squeeze in updates. Hope to see you out there.

 

Here is what the bed looks like. Looks kinda like a jail cell. Brick walls, metal bunks. There is another bunk above this just took pic of mine since top bunk was in use.

 

Today is the Sunday before training starts. It has been the longest day. Not much to do. They have a tv in the VIP room, it was on FX all day. They have 3 arcade games and a pinball machine. Pool table as well. In the theater room is 1 tv which they play DVD movies on, they control the DVD player from a different room. They have 21 rooms with bunk beds. (not sure if my picture posted on prior post) they have 38 or 39 shower rooms. They have in them shower, toilet, sink and mirror. Bring flip flops!!! You don't want athletes foot Yuck! There is a laundry room with 5 washers and 10 dryers. They cost $1.25 each. Not sure how many minutes dryers run for that $1.25. Guessing about 30 minutes. There is a little convenient store. Half of the store is Central shirts and hats for sale, other half has tolietries, snacks, candy, soda, fountain machine and hot dogs. They have posted hours on door. They close kinda early. They have about 100 trucks in the yard, several brand new ones. ( Volvos, international, and freightliner ) they do have a shuttle van that makes runs to Walmart and a few other places. You get dropped off and call when ready to get picked up. They have actual shuttle drivers and after they go home a company driver or an O/O can check it out. So far it's been what I expected luckily I read several posts on here. Thanks to big rigg, psumoose, and chromedome for their constant updates. Will see how tomorrow goes.

 

Today was a busy day. Lots of paperwork. Filled criminal forms, driving, work history, and several other forms just like any other company. Got herded around like cattle. Drug test was done while you filled out paperwork, but had to be done within 3 hours or you got a medical discharge. Then groups got called out for security screenings, and well health test. The well health test is a physical of lifting several different ways to different heights. And then carrying those weights a certain distance. Weight amounts 50lbs and 75lbs. You are monitored on heart rate while doing this exercise. You can fail if your Heart rate goes over your limit. Limit is set by your height, weight, age, and blood pressure. Security screening is a follow up of the questions you answer on your criminal forms. Misdemeanors are acceptable just need to disclose it. We then went into a training room and was given several forms to take with us to DMV, check all documents for proper types. (passport,birth cert, DL, and SSN) Upon completing all of the stuff it was now 5pm we got moved back to our first room for are DOT physical, which was a joke. You will see when you get here. Nothing like going to see a Dr. for a regular physical. No turn your head and cough. After you get done with that your free. They suggest you go back and study for the evening. Recommended us to study until 12:00 there was about 40 student to start with, when we split up into the other room some stayed because they had a CDL and others had been discharged due to failing physical and medical issues such as medication. Bring Dr. notes if you take any medication. My class had 19 after this mornings fiasco. I only saw 2 get sent home and 6 had there CDL already with experience, so they stayed in first class. Not sure about the rest. More could be sent home if criminal comes back or fail any tests. There was lots of little fees that will be deducted from your check that you don't find out about til your here. $10 per week for a reserve account once at $400 it stops. Reserve account is for expense's. Lock kit is $100. What I read was would be chargedmifmnot returned, but heard drivers saying they deduct it from pay. They will fine you $1 for every unauthorized/unapproved mile driven. Upon quitting or termination up to $500 if trailer is not clean. Well that's all for tonight when I reread this and notice I missed something I will update. Got get to studying. Hope this is helping in future drivers decisions. So far I am happy with my choice, but it's only day 1. 14 more days to go of training then out with a trainer. Assuming I pass everything.

 

Today was not as hectic. We learned log books, how to fill them out. We took 2 tests. Information from the Utah CDL study guide, is where the questions come from. Not real difficult if you read and listen in class. We went out and looked at a tractor and trailer. Checked out the air lines and how they connect and what they do. Back to studying. Tomorrow more learning and tests. Then Thursday we head to the DMV for our written test.

 

Today was just more testing for the CDL permit exam. Several tests. Then a final one which was rather large. Also learned about coupling and uncoupling. Then a little on safety/defensive driving. More studying tonight off to DMV in the morning. Not sure about after DMV, heard we might start learning to shift. Update tomorrow evening.

 

Today was DMV written test day. Three exams. Had only 1 fail out. You get to take the test twice in one day if you fail first time you can retest a second that day. If you fail again you can come back the next day. Our guy failed both tests but was sent home due to such low scores. The one other guy who failed one of the three exams retook that one exam and passed. Class is now down to 15. Tomorrow is our first day driving. We head out to what they call rookie road and learn to shift. also got more homework so back to studying .

 

Today was fun and nerve racking. We drove up rookie road then down the interstate. Several times. Shifting and double clutching over and over. I was one of the few that got to drive back to the terminal through town. Driving isn't hard. Listen and pay attention in class all week. Then listen in truck. Some people either got it or can learn it. Just pay attention, keep the ego in your pocket. Tomorrow we head into the industrial part of town to start making left and right hand turns. Of course shifting and double clutching will be involved. Only advice I can really give is be humble and listen to the instructor.