Comments By Truckin’Steve

Day 2

Started at 2:00 PM and lasted until 11PM. First thing we did was go out to the tractor trailer as a group and the on site physical therapist showed us how to properly seat ourselves in the tractor trailer. Each of us had to use three points of contact getting up on the truck and she also showed us the best way to sit based on our body composition etc. Very helpful.

Next we went with our road trainer (two of us) to the truck. Went over the entire pretrip. Then she had us bobtail around the OC twice each. Then we went and coupled up the tractor to the trailer. We then got to drive a tractor and trailer both for the first time. We did two straight line backing each. It was nerve wracking at fast but then the nerves calmed down. Tomorrow we go out on the road to drive which is only our third day Inc the job!

Then we returned back to the OC and had dinner and then night class. Watched a bunch of videos and also went over information about Schneider’s SMART driving system. They have it down pretty good I must say. They really do take safety seriously. Gotta wear those safety vests when on the yard.

Finished at 11:15 PM and headed back to the hotel.

They are having us do paper logs every day. Wow those are a pain in the butt. As of right now that’s the hardest part of training so far. Had to write VOID on one log already because I messed it up so bad lol.

So a little bit about me. I have a college degree in public relations. Have been doing mostly call center type work since graduating most recently handling liability auto claims for top five insurer.

Trucking has always intrigued me. I love to drive and never get bored of it and I drive a lot.

I initially was going to go with Maverick but Schneider came through. Schneider does require you to have your CDL permit before training starts. Also make sure it doesn’t expire the same month. Two people in our class had their CDL permit expiring at the end of the month.

I read all the reviews out there and Schneider was the best program that paid you even while getting your CDL along with it only being a five week program and on week six you are on your own.

Schedule:

Weeks 1 & 2 - Classroom Instruction and on the job driving.

Weeks 3 & 4 - Go our with our training engineer where we will be doing 80% of the driving.

Week 5 - CDL road skills test preparation and final preparation to be turned over to operations.

You have Saturday and Sundays off. I’m planning to creep down to Myrtle Beach one weekend ;)

You spend two weeks total with a training engineer. They reimburse you for your meals if you keep your receipts during that time. They will also provide transportation if you are required to meet your training engineer away from where you currently live. We are actually going to start driving the truck tomorrow (Day 2) primarily around the operations center and roads close to it I am told. It is two to a truck during training which is a great ratio.

Arrived at hotel on Sunday evening. Ended up not having a roommate for now. Newly remodeled Extended Stay. Score! Got all unpacked and settled in.

Day 1

Class started at 9:30am and ended at 7:45am. Immediately went and did the DOT physical. Then we started on a boatload of paperwork and I9s. For busy work we completed a 35 question quiz on FMCSA regulations. After that we had a ergonomics and physical therapy meeting about ways to stay comfortable in the truck along with them having PT’s on site to help with any problems. Then we had to take a 10 question test and could only miss three or you were sent home. The test was super easy. It was just FMCSA regulations and then the questions reflecting the certain regulation you were going over. It was a breeze.

Then lunch. Schneider provides breakfast, lunch and dinner. It was pretty good. Then we came back and started going over the learning portal including esigning some documents. Then we started going over how to make turns with a properly which included Schneider produced videos of trucks making well executed turns with explanation. We then started on how to properly fill out a paper log which we will do every day of class.

Next we got our work boots which are Rocky boots and will cost $35.00 and they take it out of your check over three pay periods. They also provide a safety vest at no cost which is required to be worn on site.

Then after that we had dinner and took the shuttle back to the hotel. Class starts at 1:00 PM tomorrow and will be hands on driving in the truck and classroom instruction.