Comments By Code Red NV

After I had finished my training (see my previous thread, The Schneider Diaries, a few people wanted to see how I made on in the real world. It was horrible.

My First Day

I didn’t want to get out of bed.

Fear of the unknown can be a paralyzing feeling.

I got up early, washed and dressed, organized my stuff for the twenty-seventh time, and waited to call my DBL*, Martha**.

I met Martha briefly after I had finished my SQT***. She is ex-military in that way that some ex-military are; stiff, terse, direct and to the point. No chit-chat. Our conversation that morning continued along those same lines. My truck was located at the Freightliner shop (bit of a red flag, that, but ok), and she’ll get me dispatched from there.

I knew my first truck would be a piece of work, but wow.

The truck was obviously abandoned by the previous driver. I emptied out almost two and a half Wal-Mart bags of garbage, empty McDonalds drink cups, empty coffee cups, discarded food wrappers. There was a bucket that contained some kind of chicken, but I’m only guessing chicken because that’s what was printed on the side. Seeing the greasy residue inside the bucket, I would say “chicken” is a vague generalization.

The doors of several of the cabinets were held shut by a mix of poorly applied Velcro and duct tape. They tend to pop open randomly while I drive, so I’m weary about putting anything in there.

There was a half empty box of Arm & Hammer baking soda, the rest of the powder leaked, or purposed spilled, over the inside of one of the storage compartments.

The previous driver was a smoker. God bless Simple Green.

There was no current registration or insurance card in the truck. Martha had to fax it over to the Freightliner shop.

The rear side wing was missing.

I made sure to document everything I saw when I first showed up.

I did a complete, point-by-point pre-trip, like I was taking my CDL exam all over again.

After a few hours of cleaning, and waiting, I got the dispatch to my first load. Go to the Schneider drop yard in Vegas, pick up an empty trailer, and then take it to Flagstaff AZ, where I’ll drop it off and pick up a loaded trailer to deliver to another place. Simples. Except it wasn’t.

The thing about Schneider is that most of the Operating Centers and drop yards I’ve visited are just dirt lots. The Vegas yard is no different. As you drive up to the gate, I saw several large pot holes in the dirt. Instead of trying to drive around them, I assumed (yes, I know what “assumed’ means, this is the perfect context) that since other drivers must have driven over them, I could too. I was wrong.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________
* Driver Business Leader – I’ve talked about how Schneider likes their ridiculous corporate-speak.
**Obviously not her real name.
*** Skills Qualification Test. Dammit, Schneider.

Holy cow CR! I just took a look at your photography. You are an amazing photographer! I absolutely LOVE the cars! Great work and you are gonna have a million opportunities to take some incredible photographs out on the road!

Thanks, I hope so! I've got a lot of ideas about what I want to shoot, but it's just about trying to squeeze in the time, I know it'll be tough if I'm running 14 hour days. We'll see.

C R you got to start a new thread! Let us know about your first truck. And all those other first you don't know yet!

I'll definitely keep hanging out and trying to contribute to TT, but probably, for now at least, any regular posting is going to be through my WordPress blog.

The reason why I want to focus a little more on that site is that eventually I want to do more of a combination of writing and photography. I actually have a Bachelor's Degree in Art, and I've been an active photographer for a long time now.

I won't bring my camera on the road with me for at least 2 or 3 months, I need to get my sea legs first. However, when I do start carrying my camera with me, I want to mix them both together, writing and photos. That's the plan, anyway.

Bottom line: I love my job! I have questioned whether or not I was going to like this. But now that I'm here really doing it, it's the coolest, most incredible and hardest thing I've ever done in my life!

That's so great to hear. I know exactly where you're coming from. Keep up the great work, and the great posts!

Day Fifteen: Skills Qualification Test

I passed.

The worry that I wasn't worried about finally arrived. In fact, like Miley Cyrus, it came in like a wrecking ball. I've never experienced a proper anxiety attack, but I'm pretty sure I was close. Sitting at the table waiting to begin the written part of the test, it was everything I could do to keep from screaming. Or crying. Or both.

After the exam was handed out, I said I needed a drink of water. Got up, went to the restroom, splashed cold water on my face, took a hard look at myself in the mirror, then went back and got to work.

The written portion consisted of completing a trip plan, exactly what we've been learning all week. I was the 2nd person to finish. I half-heartedly checked my math, but it's not calculus. Our classroom teacher checked my work, seemed happy, then passed me on to another instructor for the driving part of the test. He reminded me of Burt Reynolds, so that's what I'll call him.

Burt is one of those drivers who just looks like they were born to drive a truck. His salt and pepper Bandit mustache accentuated the upward curves of his mouth every time his smiled. The very first thing he noticed was how nervous I was. On the walk out to the truck he had to stop, look me straight in my eyes and said, "Relax." And then smiled. It never felt like a rebuke, but just some good ol' honest advice taken from experience.

First, I had to couple the truck to the trailer, then do a full pre-trip, including the complete air-brake test. Schneider calls that test the "pump-down", as in, "Make sure you do a pump-down every morning before you set off." I don't know if that term is specific to Schneider or not.

Burt never hovered over me during any of it, he kept his distance and let me go about my business. He kept himself far enough away to see if I was completing all the tasks necessary without actually looking over my shoulder.

On the drive, before we set out, again he looked me in the eyes and said "Relax." And then smiled. Again.

I mostly did OK on the driving portions. I went out in one of the older trucks, but ironically the clutch felt firmer than the newer ones. The shifter locked into gear with a steadfastness that I haven't been used to. I mentioned it to Burt, and he mumbled something about how just because something is old, that doesn't mean it's not still good. It was tough not to see that he was talking about himself as much as that truck.

My big mistake came as I was coming off the freeway. At the stoplight I had a sweeping left that I turned into way too early. If there was another car on our left side I would have totally taken it out. Jesus, I screwed that up.

Burt hardly said a word. We continued, then I was told to turn left again. I did a textbook left turn, and Burt smiled that gruff smile and said, "See? You redeemed yourself."

There were other hiccups, but nothing that bears mentioning here. Needless to say, I made it back to the yard intact. From there, I did a backing maneuver, uncoupled and suddenly we were done.

Burt handed my paperwork to the classroom instructor, I finished the remaining part of the classroom portion of the exam, and suddenly we were done. With everything.

Looking around, I saw there were still people who had not finished their trip plan.

I was handed my paperwork, given a big smile and handshake, then I was taken over to see my DBL. I'll talk more about that meeting later.

All that anxiety for nothing.

I said I was the 2nd person finished. When I saw my other classmate outside after we had both completed everything, I jokingly said, "What's up, driver?"

That's what trucker's call each other. Driver. It's basically said the same way, too, the first syllable, "dri" is said with an ascending inflection, then the "ver" is said either as a level tone, as if you're going to drop some wisdom on them, or continuing the ascending tone, as if you are wondering what in the hell they think they're doing. Driver.

"What's up, driver?" He laughed. But it's true, I guess. We're no longer students, we're drivers now. Even though it doesn't feel like we are.

I doubt I'll see anyone from our little class again. I exchanged numbers with all my CDL classmates, but I've only heard back from two. As a kid, you are thrown into a shared experience, like a classroom, and you make life long friendships. But somehow we don't make those same connections as adults. What's that Stephen King quote, "I never had any friends later on like the ones I had when I was twelve. Jesus, does anyone?" Doesn't seem like it.

Well, guess that wraps it up for The Schneider Diaries.

I just want to thank everyone at TruckingTruth for allowing me to share all my experiences, and I'm grateful for all the positive feedback I've received here.

Keep the shiny side up and the tire side down, everyone. This is Code Red NV, signing off.

Day Fourteen: Safety Briefing, Trip Planning, Some Corporate Dude, Computer Based Training

The Phoenix Training Center is brand new. Brand new, like, some of the buildings weren't even given the OK by city building inspectors until last week. I haven't mentioned too much about all the complications and disruptions associated with us being the very first class to go through this center, because it's really not specific to Schneider. I've been with several different companies over the years who have moved facilities and it never goes smoothly. I didn't want to give the impression that this was a rocky start, because it's always a rocky start, regardless of the company.

But, it's been a rocky start.

From what I've been able to gleen from different people, Schneider is closing their Fontana Operating Center to build a whole new facility here in Phoenix. There has been a lot of shuffling of personnel, a lot of re-ordering of rank, and probably a lot of back room politics. Again, that wouldn't be anything specific to Schneider. But I believe we got a glimpse into that window today.

A couple of corporate big wigs came an spoke to us today. Hand over heart I couldn't tell you who they were or what their positions in the company was. But I definitely got the impression their presentations were as much about shoring up their authority on the base as it was about the dissemination of information.

First guy was from Texas, so that's what I'll call him. Texas, I think (don't quote me) was a base leader. Or something. Haven't really seen him before. Texas presented the Safety Briefing. This consisted of him saying things like "No drinking. If you are caught drinking in the 8 hours before you start your shift, pack up your belongings, you're fired. Schneider trucks don't do U-turns. If you are caught doing a U-turn, pack up your belongings, you're fired. You can't carry a weapon on your truck. If you are caught carrying a weapon on a Schneider truck, pack up your belongings, you're fired." It went on like this for almost a half hour.

After he left, our regular teacher said, "I've never really seen the Safety Briefing presented that way before". I think it even caught her off guard.

Later on, someone else came in who I know I've never seen before and had even less of a personality than Texas. He talked about per-diem pay, then some corporate-speak about the "value triangle" between customers, associates and the business, and ended explaining to us why Schneider is union free; "We are a pro-associate company, see, therefore we don't see the need for unions."

Frightening.

All this continues to remind me that this isn't just about me finding my footing in a new career. This is me as a cog removing myself from one wheel and volunteering to be put into another, insanely large, wheel. An entirely different wheel, actually.

In trucking, you talk about 10, 12 & 14 hour days like they are nothing. In fact, these are the expectations, rather than the exceptions. Working in an office, if you work one full hour over your normal eight hour day, you are considered a real go-getter. Or, you are working on something big. In trucking, if you only work nine hours from the start of your day to the finish, you are considered a slacker. It's insane. No wonder fatigue is such a big issue with drivers.

The freight must flow, to paraphrase Dune. That's the reason. Store shelves need to be stocked, construction sites need building materials, packages need to get there overnight. Transportation is twenty-four-seven in ways you and I can't even imagine. It's a battle against the clock, and I've signed up to serve on the front lines.

The day ended by watching some mind-numbingly tedious corporate videos. Mostly about HazMat. Some about harassment in the workplace ("If you even look at somebody wrong, or try to be funny in any way, pack up your belongings, you're fired" is what it should have said.) There are many other videos but I would rather repeatedly pound my head against a brick wall than try to remember what they were about.

Tomorrow is the big test. I'm worried that I'm not worried. Hopefully it will be fine. Hopefully.

I'll end with a funny story. Our classroom teacher shared with us an e-mail from the corporate office. It appears they are launching an investigation into which Schneider student ordered alcohol from the hotel's room service and then charged it back to the room. They charged their booze to the frickin' room!

This industry is full of chuckleheads, I kid you not. I wonder if the student will need any help packing up their belongings?

I stumbled on to this after searching for "best trucking school" and read it from beginning to end. I love reading about other people's experiences, especially when they give me insight into something I'm interesting in doing myself.

Great read! Thanks for posting.

Wow, thanks! I'm grateful for all the encouragement I get on this board!

Day Thirteen: Driving, Backing, Uncoupling & Coupling, Trip Planning

Back in the saddle again. We spent half of the day back in the trucks, the last practice we'll get before the "final exam" on Thursday. I can't tell you why I haven't been thinking about it, I usually obsess about tests and testing. This upcoming exam just isn't on my radar. Maybe because I'm thinking about other things.

All my upcoming firsts. My first truck. My first load. My first time backing into a really difficult dock. My first long journey. My first screw up. My first time getting lost. My first breakdown. My first emotional breakdown. My first time driving in snow. Ever.

I've never driven in snow. In my life. I was born and raised in Los Angeles, I was 19 years old before I saw my first ice scraper. I was carpooling to college with a girl from Colorado. She had an ice scraper lying on her floorboard. I asked what it was. She looked at me like I was from Mars.

I'm not looking forward to driving in any kind of harsh weather. At all.

Obviously there is a huge difference in my driving from when I started here in Phoenix over two weeks ago. Today went like a lazy Sunday jaunt. The trailer was empty, the traffic was light. I'm still missing some downshifts, but most of it is, dare I say, becoming pretty natural.

I am aware of the dangers of being overconfident. Hopefully I won't let "becoming pretty natural" turn into "letting my guard down."

Arkansas is gone, he went back after the first week. I guess they only brought in extra trainers for the Grand Opening. Today I had a guy from the Salt Lake City Operating Center. Salt Lake was a complete opposite from Arkansas. Salt Lake knew how to give simple, clear, concise directions, he had really great insider tips on a few different things. He was laid back in a way that didn't make you feel like he was about to take the afternoon off. I dug Salt Lake, and wish I could have had him my first week.

If wishes were horses.....

I still don't know what's going to happen at the end of the week. Tomorrow is all day in the classroom again, and then the test. If and when we pass that, they will introduce us to our DBL's. More ridiculous Schneider corporate speak. DBL = Driver Business Leader. I mean, honestly.

Once we are passed off to our DBL's, they will let us know what the next step is. Will I be going home for the weekend? Will they give me a new truck right here and tell me to start driving?

I just don't know. Stay tuned.

Code Red, I want you to know I'm following along! Thoroughly enjoy your account of your adventures.

Thank you so much, I appreciate that!

I hope that all this helps other people in some way. Even if it is just giving people a good read, lol

Day Twelve: Permit Books, Electronic Logging and Trip Planning

Nothing interesting happened today.

We were in the classroom all day. The syllabus listed was as exciting as it sounds. But it is information we need to know, so we knuckled down and made the best of it.

Last night a bunch of us hung out in the nearly empty hotel dining area swapping road stories, almost like old timers. I knew I was lucky to have Detroit, but I didn't know how bad it was out there. I got really lucky.

I was thinking about how much I missed when I was on the road. And how I didn't really miss it at all.

I used to be a news junkie. Waking up every morning, I would log on to the internet like our parents used to read their morning newspaper. I follow politics like most other people follow sports. On the road, Detroit sometimes listened to the old replays of Howard Stern broadcasts on his satellite radio. And that was about it. Mostly it was turned off because we were talking about driving. And when I hitched a ride back to civilization, I found out the world had continued to turn without me knowing about it.

And I was ok with that.

There's an old hymn that says, "And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace." I wonder if that applies to trucking, too.