pre trip at orientation

From what i have seen and herd. It all depends on the company. It also depends on your experince level. I have only had one orentation and that was at swift. I just had to drive the truck to cub and back that was it. But after my 6 week training i had to do a whole test out thing. Or at least i was supposed to. You know back up, drive pre trip all that. But the guy giving me the test told me to drive to cub casue he had to get something. Then when i got there he said welcome to swift But thats the only trucking orination I have had. It really just depends on the co and your level of experince. But I do know that at swift there was no using a cheat sheet. hope that helps

 

Oregon I know allows you a sheet that gives the general things you need to check and you have to remember each of the parts and say whats wrong or not wrong..

No missing mounting hardware no cracks or breaks... If it has fluids, No leaks...

 

You might as well memorize it because you're going to need to do it every day out there on the road to save your own life and the lives of the innocent morons who cut right in front of you and slam on their brakes.

You might as well memorize it because every company you're going to work for will test you at their orientation.

You might as well memorize it because when you're driving 500+ miles a day the vehicle is taking a beating; you will want to know what to look for.

You might as well memorize it because a DOT officer at a weigh station may ask you to perform a pre-trip in in front of him.

 

I've did it for reals in a check ride situation earlier this week and the examiner just watched me pre-trip the truck. For a training company you'll probably do something more akin to the pre-trip portion of your CDL exam. For Schneider's post school exam you were allowed to carry a laminated sheet. One outfit gave me the keys with no testing whatsoever. It varies. If you're really anxious about it probably talk to somebody who has hired on recently at the company you want to work for. I don't think too many people bomb out on the pretrip portion of the check ride.

 

Let's put it this way.....I've done more "pre trip" inspections during an inspection, then I ever did trying to get a job. Best thing to do is get a routine going, and repeat it. Start at one point on the truck (usually walking up to the front of it) and work your way completely around. You'll soon find a habit and won't forget anything. However, be careful of falling in to a "lull" or whatever as you walk around the same truck day in and day out. Because things wear out, break, who knows. But what you are checking today, may not be in the same condition it was yesterday.