Need advise fast!!

Well, day 1 of Schneider Bulk training is over with. Not much to talk about; paperwork, DOT physical, pee & hair follicle drug test, CBT's, and then, more paperwork. The Red Roof Inn on East Freeway, where we're being housed is a bit of a dump, but I've seen worse. 4 people got released today for either BP or HR too high. Luckily, I wasn't one of them.

Let's see what tomorrow has in store.

 

Thanks shir1!!

Day 2.

Lost 3 more people today to undiagnosed sleep apnea issues. Our class went from 19 to 12 in two days due to medical reasons.

Got issued all the PPE (personal protection equipment): ST boots, reflective vest, nomex suit, H3 (green HazMat) suit, gloves, safety glasses, and hard helmet with face shield. Will get the HazMat goggles and half-face respirator in a couple days.

Practiced climbing unto the tanker's top catwalk (in 80 degree, 89% humidity weather while wearing a nomex suit over a long sleeve shirt and an underwear tee) to practice proper walking on top of the tanker and checking the dome lid and wash out caps. Didn't realize how high being 13 feet off the ground can seem, especially when there's no trailer parked next to the one you're walking atop of, and on a 12 inch wide strip of gritted metal. About half of the guys who are left, realized they have some degree of fear of heights. Fortunately, I wasn't one of them. However, I did realize that I'm going to easily lose 20 lbs doing this job, which I'm sure my wife will love

Learned the safety principles related to tank pressurization, air & pump unloading, HIT and load heating, emergency shut-off valves, QRB valves and how to check the packing of the QRB valve, and the venting differences of 307 and 407 tanker trailers, as well as securing intermodal tanks unto a trailer's chassis and how to handle certain HazMat emergencies. Also, tested on FMCSRs related to bulk, hazmat, intermodal ops, and general duty/driving hours and out-of-service procedures. Schneider doesn't combine bulk loads and all tankers are clean bore. I'm looking forward to how gentle my driving will need to be to keep surge to a minimum.

According to Schneider's training schedule, 2 more days of strictly classroom training, followed by 2 days of "hands on" training in the loading/unloading of a tanker trailer using air and hydraulic pump (water will be used to load/unload), followed by 2 days of more classroom training and driving practice on a tractor/van combo, then 4 days of station/lab training, including a QRT (qualification road test) and 2 days of driving a tractor/tanker combo. Then, an SRT (Schneider Road Test) on the 4th day, followed by one day of pure review. After that, between 10 - 15 days OTR with a TE (training engineer), followed by 3 days of SQT (skills qualification test), 3 days of home time, and then, hopefully, my assigned tractor and my first load.

Hopefully, we won't lose anyone on account of medical issues, or worse yet, competency.

 

Day 3

Didn't lose anyone today. Spent part of the day reviewing hours of service, logs, and items to inspect. But, spent most of the time learning procedures for the two biggest Schneider bulk clients, Nalco & Exxon. Also, did the required company HazMat course for company HazMat certification, and got SNBC HazMat certified, as well as Exxon & Nalco certified.

Tomorrowis the last full day of classroom training and on Friday we start with product ops.

I think I'll get my laundry done tomorrow night, because I suspect I'll be dog tired Friday and Saturday, and won't get it done.