My DS, C1,and USA Truck experience

Congratulations, Big John!
Have fun in Van Buren, and bring cash. If things haven't changed since 2002, then they'll offer to drive your orientation group into town in the company van on only a few occasions, so you'll want to do a little shopping for dry goods that you can keep with you.
You'll get to meet your dispatcher and maintenance manager before you leave; make friends with both of them, and ask lots of questions. The more you know, the better prepared you'll be for the road.
Once you get in the truck with your trainer, do your best to start off on the right foot with them. I was both a student and a trainer before I left USA Truck (I still have my shirt!). The trainers have a lot to deal with, but they're well-compensated for their trouble, so don't let them push you around too much. But remember, you're there to learn, so ask lots of questions, and listen real good to the answers. They're not always right, but it's a good starting point.
Good luck out there, and enjoy your few weeks of home time!
BE SAFE!!!!

 

I knew a USA driver that picked up his load, left the shipper and a hundred miles later a qualcom came asking why he appeared to be leaving the shipper and had not sent the proper qualcom message.
Another time Van Buren nagged him over 40 minutes difference in a fueling log time. Sometimes you wait 20 minutes in line at a fuel stop...

 

As far as the first issue is concerned I think you may have answered your own question. He should have sent in a macro 03 (Load and Leaving shipper) right before he pulled out; I've made that mistake at least a couple of times myself. As far as the fuel stop was concerned, the guys in the log department can be a pain in your #$$ sometimes on stuff like that. They haven't yet given me any grief about doing something like that, but I'm sure I'll eventually make that mistake, too.

That being said, I've already noticed how brain-dead some of the dispatchers can be in the very short time I've been doing this. Maybe Van Buren should make them ride along before they start dispatching; that way they'll get a first-hand view of the aftermath of some of their decisions.

 

Big John;
Try to treat it like an adventure, and go with the flow. The less you let yourself get bent out of shape over small stuff, the better off you'll be. There will be plenty of opportunities to get annoyed, pissed off, or downright indignant about stuff... just let it slide, unless it's a matter of safety, or of principle. Be easygoing, and take it as it comes.
This, too, shall pass.
Have a little fun, if you can!

 

John;
Yes, there is a log test. Most decent carriers need to know you can do them. Practice is key here, and you'll get plenty of practice out on the road with your trainer, but the more you know now, the better.
You should have received a copy of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations at C1. I know this sounds whack, but seriously, read §395 as much as you can.
Also, check out the Fed's website FAQ on this topic at
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/truck/driver/hos/hos-faqs.asp
There's a few decent explanations of HOS and logging to be found around the web.
Happy digging!

 

I'm really surprised you didn't get a copy of the Safety Regulations...
It's a little pocket-sized book (but very thick) printed by J.J. Keller.
You might want to pick one up at a truck stop.
As far as the test... you'll be fine. The HOS rules can be a little tricky to learn, but once you learn them, the test is a breeze. It's just a matter of following directions.
They give you a sheet of paper that describes your day, and you fill out a log that corresponds with what you read, for example "You arrive at the terminal at 8:30am, and start inspecting your truck at 8:45am. You leave the terminal at 9:15am and travel 150 miles, arriving at the shipper at 12:15pm..." and so on.
The test will cover several days of activity, so you'll fill out several log sheets. If memory serves, you can use a calculator and an atlas, so come prepared.
Fill out EVERY space on your log, including "N/A" in the co-driver space (unless the test says you have one), and if it doesn't specify something different, show 15 minutes for pre-trip, 15 for post-trip, and at least 15 for fuel.
And remember, just because the law doesn't require something, doesn't mean the company won't. The legal regulations are MINIMUM requirements, and most companies have their own extra stuff they want to see. For example, the regs don't require you to write the word "Fuel" in the remarks section next to the city and state when you stop for fuel, but I strongly recommend that you do anyway, because that's the way USA Truck and most other companies want it.
Hope this helps.
(p.s. if you need help getting your head around the math, drop me a line at csimmons22 at gmail dot com)