The Cryo Hauler Thread

From best of what you can recall or in general, what is the interview/onboarding typically like? For example, is it the standard pre-trip inspection of the tractor, as well as the in cab and driving test, or is there something additional given that a tanker is involved?
Additionally, what would recommend as the best way to prepare ahead of time?

 

Interview kind of differs from terminal to terminal. It could be with the terminal manager, assistant manager, and lead driver. Or just the manager at smaller locations. I've seen where they will have the lead driver just sitting around and start a conversation prior to the interview. To see what kind of person you are.

Pre trip and road test are normal. The only difference is your pulling a placarded trailer. So with stopping at Railroad tracks. You will have to put the automatic truck in manual to prevent it from shifting. Over the tracks while your crossing. Not all require this, but some do. (Just a heads up because I feel some use this to fail drivers on the test. Most don't even think of that while in an automatic).

And it will be good to leave your phone in you vehicle before the road test. Or just the whole thing in general. The top five private cryo carriers don't allow cell use while driving. But they also don't want anyone using a phone while conducting any company business.

If they want to move forward with hiring you. Then its not right away like a OTR carrier. Its a 6 to 8 week process before you actually start. Backgrounds checks, mvr & csa reviews, drug test, clearing house check and etc are not done quickly. The staff will really look over your personal and trucking records.

After that you will do paperwork and computer classes for a week. Then spend another week at a drivers boot camp or what ever it's called at that prospective company. Some say bootcamp because you need to be on your best behavior. And watch what you say while your there.

After that you will spend 30-45 days in training with another driver. Then once your comfortable with being on your own. You will then be approved to be a solo driver after you test out with a trainer or who they've deemed a final tester.

After that it will be a change of what ever you think you know about driving. To that company's way of how they think drivers should be. And once you get there way of safety and driving through your head. Welcome to the cryo cult!!! We are different than any other OTR or typical tanker outfit. They are mere pheasants. We are royalty!

 

Also need to make sure if use a truck gps. Put in hazmat class. In case you don't know some hazmat routing. Like me who has ran dry van for years.

 

Good day to bounce down to KC for a AR pickup with 3 stops on way back tomorrow.

 

The interview process is quite long. Takes almost two months from when you first receive a call to your first day of training. You’ll go through at least 2-3 rounds of interviews.

1-Talent Acquisition. They’ll ask you brief questions about your driving experience.

2-Driver Recruiter. This person gave me a 1 hour interview over the phone. He’ll ask you different questions on what you will do in different situations. I feel like this is the interview that gets you in the door. One tip I would give is to answer every question as if the truck was your own.

3-Terminal Manager. Here they just want to meet you and know about your personal life and gauge what type of person you are. They could care less of who you drove for or how long you’ve been driving. If you’re at this interview then you’re the best of the best when it comes to driving.

After all this you’ll get the driving test. For the pre trip, just do your best on hitting everything you can think of. They just want to see that you know how to do a good inspection. Doesn’t have to be over the top.

Driving Test- Obey all the rules of the road!!!
No seat belt? Fail. Go over rail road tracks without stopping? Fail. Forget to signal? Fail. Stay over the speed limit too long? Fail. And yes, even construction zone speed limits have to be follow to the teeth.

The most important part of the driving test is the back up test. Almost nobody fails the driving part but the back up seems to fail a lot of drivers. You can take your time, pull forward as much as you want. But do not, I repeat, do not, Hit a cone or whatever they have placed for you to back in. (Don’t take forever to back in either lol. They’ll fail you) I think you have like 10-15 minutes to back in.
I think the backing is done first now instead of taking you out to drive.

 

I swear I had a easier time joining where I'm at that some of you. Which I'm unsure if it's a good or bad thing. Then again SPT has you sit through the PGT orientation. Which they hire brand new drivers. Also because SPT requires experience trucking. They probably assume you know most of what to do. Minus stuff on the cryo end. Which they teach.

 

Linde just gave me a 5 minute boilerplate phone interview and a road test, honestly. Worst part was waiting for the very extensive background check.