Schneider orientation from day 1 at Charlotte, NC

So, here is the update for day 3 and day 4.

Day 3 started with me and another driving for about an hour and a half, some stuff tied out instructor up so we got going a little late. We drove all over the middle of Charlotte down streets definitely not designed for trucks, practicing lots of different turning situations. The instructor seemed pretty confident with myself and the other's ability to handle highway and suburban driving so he pushed us hard to see what we needed to work on when it came to navigating through the middle of the city. After lunch, we practiced more backing with 2 of the other instructors until the end of the day. By this time the instructors seem to start to form an opinion about who is going to make it and who isn't. Some get the backing pretty quick, but there are some that are still struggling. I hope for their sake that they can make it... we will see.

Day 4 (today) we started with a classroom meeting where we got information regarding our week over the road with a trainer. Some got the names of their trainers, some had actually been contacted on the night of day 3 by their trainer. There were several (myself included) that were assigned a trainer that had some last-minute load changes that meant things might not work out. In the meantime, after the meeting we did the usual split where some go out for driving and some go out to the training area for the obstacle course. I started out with backing and was happy with how things went. After lunch the instructor I had been driving with gave me my driver number and showed me around the company website. Still no information about my trainer yet. After this, we went driving with our instructor once more. After this, the instructor gave us a sheet with his evaluation of our skills and stuff we needed to work on. He seemed to be happy with myself and the other's performance which was real good to hear. By chance, our instructor saw someone driving by and flagged him down who turned about to be the person that will be my trainer. Since they couldn't work things out with the other trainer, they assigned me and the other student I've been dong all my driving with. He's doing really good too, so although it'll be a little crowded in the truck its nice to know that I can trust who I'm driving with. Our trainer seems great as well, I look forward to getting on the road. Apparently they assign 2 students to a trainer sometimes, but they only do this with the best of the best trainers. I get along great with the other student so I see no problems with this other than I probably won't get as much driving time as I would if I were 1 on 1 with the trainer.

So, it feels good to have made it through the first major part of the process. Tomorrow (Saturday) is still a work day... so up at 6am. Apparently there will be more backing practice, submitting some homework on computers, lots of paperwork, etc. Sunday I have off since our trainer doesn't leave until Monday. It'll be REAL nice to have a day to catch a bit of extra sleep and relax, it has been a long week.

So... that's the update for now.

 

So, here is the update for today.

It was a short day, we finished class about mid-afternoon. In the morning we started with a class going through a lot of paperwork, they handed out some cleats to put on our boots if working in ice/snow and gave us new 2013 Atlases as well. After that we split into 2 groups to practice sliding tandems/5th wheels and on the simulators.

We didn't spend a ton of time on sliding tandems and the 5th wheel, but enough for each student to practice doing each once. Didn't spend much time on the math behind it all, but I'm sure we'll be doing plenty of that with our trainer.

After that, we switched with the other group and went on the simulators where we practiced snub braking, handling a steer tire blowout, skids, etc. Again, we didn't spend a ton of time on the simulators but it was enough for each student to give it a shot.

After that we finished entering some of our homework in the computers, and then we were let off for the day. Some are leaving to meet up with their trainers tonight, some tomorrow, I myself have tomorrow off.

I got a chance to talk with my trainer a little more, he suggested me and the other student do a little shopping and pick up some food/snacks to bring with us on our trip, we leave on Monday.