Comments By Matthew K.

I would have done the same. Us 160 is a tough one, especially in the winter. You drove by my stomping grounds on i25, I have been through raton pass countless times to go to Wal-Mart in Trinidad.

Glad I made the right choice. First time being out this way, so very unfamiliar with the area. Beautiful scenery though, glad I was able to get out here before it got too late in the year.

Lucky you. Me and my TE are up in PA, OH, IN running in circles for my week out OTR training. Weather is nice and the leaves are starting to change, but I'd like to get out west this time of year eventually.

I70 EB in Indianapolis at 16:20 EST

All I saw was an empty flatbed and a red tractor with Old School written across the back of the tractor. I havent found evidence of his tractor having that, but something tells me its likely.

Someone took a leak in G-Towns Cheerios. Dude's been spitting venom all week.

I believe Rainey is the reigning queen

I c wut u did there

second, sticking your "coconut" out the window is a likely fail during the actual test. I don't recommend doing that.

It wasn't a fail for the state test, and I can't possibly imagine a company telling their instructors to fail drivers for using all available resources. If you can't look at what you're doing, how are you supposed to do it? Here at Schneider we can't crack the door to play with the mirrors because if the door is open without the brakes set the horn starts going off.

Interesting. Using all available resources? Like the Schneider trainer telling you not to think when backing?

For the PA test they don't want your head out the window when backing. At Swift's Academy, they do not allow a driver to stick their head out the window when backward.

You can see without sticking your head out the window by using mirrors and looking over your shoulder. I do it all the time. And I never suggested opening the door to back.

I still don't recommend it.

I'm not sure if we're on the same page here. Isn't looking over your shoulder the same thing as sticking your head out the window? And perhaps the dont think about it reference was a little strong; more like pay attention to what's happening and it will make sense, as opposed to just shutting down all thought processes.

second, sticking your "coconut" out the window is a likely fail during the actual test. I don't recommend doing that.

It wasn't a fail for the state test, and I can't possibly imagine a company telling their instructors to fail drivers for using all available resources. If you can't look at what you're doing, how are you supposed to do it? Here at Schneider we can't crack the door to play with the mirrors because if the door is open without the brakes set the horn starts going off.

I'll share something with you that I was told today at Schneider: Don't think about it, just put it in the hole.

The second you start trying to think about what you're doing when backing it up, that's when your mind starts spinning in circles and getting you bent all out of shape. As my teacher during school liked to say, "Stick your coconut out the window," and your eyes will tell your hands what to do.

Don't stress over slamming it home perfectly. Get it in the hole without ripping anyone's bumper off, then fix it if you need to be a little straighter or further over to one side. Don't worry about what other people think if you have to set your brakes and hop out to take a look around the truck. It's over 60 feet long; sometimes you need to verify that you're coming in correctly.

Above all else, just practice. I didnt even start hitting the hole on the first reverse attempt until about my 20th try. Its hard, but just let your body do the work. If you over think it, its going to be even harder.

Basically, Wheaton's Law. Do your best not to make yourself look like a total a** and be a decent human being, and good things -should- follow.

And when you go to their OC for orientation it will be 18 days worth, you get paid each day and your second week is when you go out with your trainer with is usually 5-6 days and my trainer drove for a Lowes dedicated account which i occasionally run if our loads get slow for the week. If you have any questions feel free to ask.

Did you get paid for day 1? They told us the first day (paperwork, etc.) was a freebie.

I'm in Charlotte for day 2 of Schneider orientation. I love it so far. They already have us paired up in small groups with an instructor, and we drove around town today for them to get a baseline. Everyone is super nice here, havent had a problem with a single person yet.

Just a heads up, their pre-work screen (agility test) is semi-intensive if you're out of shape. I'm a big guy, I was really pushing the limit on maximum heart rate.