A Rook's Attempt At A Veriha Training Diary

Thank you all! I've been wanting to earn those bananas ever since I got serious about starting this career haha!

More bananas for your banana party!

Lordy Ryan that has my eyes all jittery.

I am in my first phase of road training now and will try to update periodically at least. Monday was day one, my trainer didn't want my first day to be driving through Chicagoland so he handled that part and I started my learning from the passenger seat. After two stops there, we refueled and went to the last stop in Wisconsin. I drove back to the yard from there. This phase is with a home-daily driver but he uses a sleeper cab, which I like since that's what I'll be handling when I go solo. We get along great and I could tell instantly that he is patient and has a lot to teach me. Today he also started the drive because we were tight on time to get to Michigan and a snow storm was going to slow us down. I drove from there to another stop in Michigan then back to the yard in Wisconsin, including in rain and snow and night time, all for the first time. Like most newbies, my backing leaves a lot to be desired so hopefully we start to see some improving there. So far though, so good (all in all) and I'm loving it!

I am in my first phase of road training now and will try to update periodically at least. Monday was day one, my trainer didn't want my first day to be driving through Chicagoland so he handled that part and I started my learning from the passenger seat. After two stops there, we refueled and went to the last stop in Wisconsin. I drove back to the yard from there. This phase is with a home-daily driver but he uses a sleeper cab, which I like since that's what I'll be handling when I go solo. We get along great and I could tell instantly that he is patient and has a lot to teach me. Today he also started the drive because we were tight on time to get to Michigan and a snow storm was going to slow us down. I drove from there to another stop in Michigan then back to the yard in Wisconsin, including in rain and snow and night time, all for the first time. Like most newbies, my backing leaves a lot to be desired so hopefully we start to see some improving there. So far though, so good (all in all) and I'm loving it!

Sorry, a little late to the party! But Congratulations on passing and getting the Class A!

Hey, bet we're fairly close, location wise. I'm 2.5-3 hours from Chicago in SW lower MI.

My company orientation is slated for the 21st for three days, then I suspect I'll be off until the 28th in which I suspect the trainer will swing by and pick me up for my five week training session.

Hope to get snow, too. Presume chances are good we'll both get some drive time in the white stuff with our trainers before too long.

Be safe!

Thanks FR8M4N and good luck on your upcoming start date. I was probably through your area a couple days ago with a delivery in Norton Shores. I go off-roading at the Silver Lake sand dunes and always wondered if and when I'd be sent anywhere near there in a apparently the answer was day two of training!

Hows it going driver?

Hey George, thanks for asking. My backing is horrendous, I honestly haven't had a decent one yet and need guidance from my trainer. I just don't know what's wrong with me but I can't get it to go where it needs to. Driving and most everything else is going great. Tomorrow is my last day with my home-daily trainer, and I should get info about my next phase with an OTR or Regional trainer. I feel like if I had a day on my own to practice backing on the range or in a drop yard, it could click for me. Hopefully my skills improve in the next phase. Any advice is appreciated!

Looking into my crystal ball (ha! Ha!) I bet your home daily trainer is rushing you when backing. Just need to slow down and think about it. Set up, GOAL, etc. Nothing against your trainer for most part. He is prob used to flying thru his day etc. Good luck. You will get it!!

That makes sense, I do feel if I had more time I could eventually get it. Hopefully I have that opportunity in the next phase, because in my very brief time I love everything else about it. Thanks for the encouragement! I will try to update more regularly, I've been more in reader-mode lately.