Schneider Orientation Completed!

Topic 8701 | Page 1

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classA's Comment
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I did it! I just completed Schneider Orientation in Fontana, CA!

dancing-banana.gifFirst, let me say that I appreciate the fact that other trucks run much faster than the Schneider rigs. Recently I was on I-84 in Nevada running along at 60 mph (maximum speed) while most every other truck on the road blew by me at 70 - 80 mph. Eventually I would end up being at the same place were they were and go right on by. Of course, they most often would once again overtake the truck I was driving. However, one such rig did not. In fact, it appeared to have been involved in a horrific accident at the bottom of a grade not too far down the road. So, in that case, the governed 60 mph seemed to be the best place to be at!

There was a little breeze circulating at the Greyhound bus depot in Spokane on a quiet Sunday morning at 0125 as I handed the bus driver my boarding pass. After releasing my suitcase to him I got on and sat in a window seat close to the front.

Have you ever taken a trip on a Greyhound bus? There is something almost exciting about the journey! Or maybe it is more like the first settlers traveling across country in covered wagons with the challenges of the unknown ahead. Yes. That is it.

After 38 hours on 4 different buses with a couple of uneventful layovers at terminals across Oregon and Northern California I finally arrived in Claremont, CA on Monday afternoon at 1430. Another new hire called the hotel shuttle for us and soon thereafter we were checked in at the Best Western Ontario Airport Hotel. I took a shower then walked nearby to get something to eat. After that it was time with my wife on the phone and then I went to bed.

Week 01 - Breakfast was at 0500 with new hires and others who were on their third and final week of orientation. By 0525 we were loaded into vans and a bus on our way to the Los Angeles Operations Center in Fontana, CA. Everyone sat around the lobby which also served as the cafeteria area until promptly at 0600 when each group was called to our respective classrooms. Basic introductions and new hire paperwork was the order of the day along with an overview of the Schneider history and philosophy. And 3 chapters of homework.

We were given details on logbook expectations, had to complete Physical Abilities tests, and were introduced to our respective Yard Trainers (2 new hires to each Trainer). Later we proceeded to the Yard where we began to learn the Schneider Pre-Trip, Trailer Integrity Verification (TIV), Coupling/Uncoupling, etc. And were provided basic set-ups for backing maneuvers with practice. Next we were taken out for Road Drive Time in an industrial park and outlying area. Later we learned the Schneider Post-Trip along with more TIV.

Had time training on the Simulator (much like a high-tech video game with simulated sounds as well as steering wheel and seat vibrations).

More Pre-Trip, TIV, Coupling/Uncoupling, Backing, Driving, Post-Trip, TIV, Logging.

Received official Driver numbers, EFS cards (Schneider Fuel Cards), and given contact information for the upcoming week of being on the road with our assigned Training Engineer.

Went to OC after class and did laundry (free at Fontana). Spent 6 to 7 hours completing CBTs at OC.

Week 02 - I met my TE in person, had a brief conversation, completed some initial paperwork, loaded my belongings into the assigned truck, and began to learn the way of the Schneider Driver. Let me sum up this week quickly (because it was so much detail in such a short space of time that it literally has become a blur in my memory). And know that during this week, my TE showed me how to record all of this in the Qualcomm (electronic log). I drove over 2500 miles on the I-5 and I-84. Hauled 4 loads across Donner's Pass and the Grapevine (3 at 14 - 25000 lbs and 1 at 79500 lbs). Drove in torrential downpour for hours on I-84. Experienced hailstorm, strong side-winds, and flooded roads. I ate one sit-down meal and had one shower in 6 days. Scaling loads, weigh stations, toll roads, use of the engine brake, control braking, cruise control, My TE said I did really well in all of the different scenarios we experienced.

Did anyone ever say that truck driving was easy? It's demanding work! I literally could hardly walk once I returned to the hotel late the following Saturday night for my 2nd shower in 6 days. Sunday morning I got enough strength after another shower, went to the OC and washed my clothes again.

Week 3- Breakfast at 0500 and back to the OC for 0600 classes.

More backing, more driving, and then later in the week, completed final CBTs, and Orientation completion!

Finally, after 3 weeks of intense experience in the Schneider way, I only spent about 33 hours on Greyhound buses to get back home! I have been home 2 days and just now feel myself coming back to some sense of normal. But I'm not getting used to it. Because now I get back on Greyhound to the Portland, OR OC where I meet my DBL, have some enhanced training on handling loads in the system, get my assigned tractor, and head back out to the I-5 corridor for 7 to 14 consecutive days on the road!

Many thanks to everyone here for helping me to be at this point in a career that is going to fit me well! I'll check in as I'm able, but for now I must focus on learning how to succeed in this highly unique and skilled trade!

Logbook:

A written or electronic record of a driver's duty status which must be maintained at all times. The driver records the amount of time spent driving, on-duty not driving, in the sleeper berth, or off duty. The enforcement of the Hours Of Service Rules (HOS) are based upon the entries put in a driver's logbook.

Terminal:

A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.

Covered Wagon:

A flatbed with specially fitted side plates and curved ribs supporting a tarp covering, commonly referred to as a "side kit". Named for the resemblance to horse-drawn covered wagons.

Qualcomm:

Omnitracs (a.k.a. Qualcomm) is a satellite-based messaging system with built-in GPS capabilities built by Qualcomm. It has a small computer screen and keyboard and is tied into the truck’s computer. It allows trucking companies to track where the driver is at, monitor the truck, and send and receive messages with the driver – similar to email.

OWI:

Operating While Intoxicated

Bleemus's Comment
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Great stuff! You got a great deal of variety to test you while driving. Keep up the good work!

Jessica A-M's Comment
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Great job! Drive safe and keep the rubber side down!

classA's Comment
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Great stuff! You got a great deal of variety to test you while driving. Keep up the good work!

Indeed Bleemus.

Great job! Drive safe and keep the rubber side down!

That is a primary goal each travel through the Grapevine, Donner's Pass, or multiple places on Highway 97!

I've only driven 6 days, Jessica M. And I will be the first to admit ...... I'm exhausted at the end of each day.

Dm:

Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager

The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.
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