Profile For Jamie T

Going to perform some necromancy and revive this thread. I didn't end up finishing CDL training, I was in it for 3 weeks and was about to go on the road with a trainer for 2 weeks. I realized trucking wasn't really for me though, and quit and went back home to my old job. Plus side though is I got a promotion at work 1 month after coming back. From what I took out of it, I was performing well but I couldn't really stand being away from home with my wife, and two young children at home. Not only did it effect my wife, she was getting overwhelmed having to be home by herself taking care of the kids for the 3 weeks I was gone. But myself, I thought I wouldn't mind the isolation I'm a loner myself and like to spend time alone but it's easier said than done. All I'm saying is the job is not for everyone, but the experience gave me a higher level of respect for our drivers on the road. They sacrifice there life essentially for the job. That is all, thank you!

Try it for yourself and see :-)

It will be impossible to pull ANY kingpin if it has tension on it, regardless of the brand.

I'll keep that tip in mind when I get on the road myself. Thank you!

Hello all, I finished my second day yesterday which was pretty straight forward. Just was a crap ton of information to take in at once! We started out by meeting who our "yard instructors" would be and then they bused us into the truck yard. While out there they laid down all the ground rules such as no use of phone being the major rule. We ran through the pre-trip a couple of times which I was awful at I was really never much of a car person so I had a bit of trouble pointing out certain parts of the engine and so on. Nothing a ton of studying and hard work can't overcome though.

I definitely feel like I'm a bit behind the curb compared to most of my class, I'm in a class of 9 (including myself, some already got the boot due to various reasons). A couple of the people in my class are previous CDL class A holders, some even holding class B cdl's. A few have parents that are truckers, and one of them grew up on a farm driving a tractor. I'm as green as you can get but I don't believe that's necessarily a disadvantage. Anyways we also uncoupled / coupled the tractor, and performed a thing that I can't remember the name of at this moment... The thing where you turn off your truck / lights etc. Then repeatedly step on your brakes to release air then let it build back up and test brakes. That thing.

Our instructor also showed us the basics for backing. We will be doing backing today ourselves.

Rest of the day they had us to online homework on the laptops in the classroom which was very boring but needed.

That is all of my eventful not-so eventful day! Thank you.

Hey all, so I finished my first day of Schneider's apprenticeship program today. I'd first like to thank Professor X for his Roehl training diary that's what got me on this website, and gave the idea of making a little training diary while attending this course. Although, this one won't be nearly as well written, and detailed as his was haha.

So first day is basically what you'd expect. We did a lot of paperwork and they had us all do physicals with an in-house doctor to get our DOT medical cards (this is mandatory, even if you have one already they will make you get another one). I ended up getting a 6 month, all my vitals were good and everything but since I'm a fat boi they said I'd either need to lose weight, or get a sleep test done by 6 months, so I'll just try to lose weight to avoid that, and hopefully get a longer DOT card in the future.

I also had to do Schneider's physical ability test at the highest tier due to the job possibly involving unloading freight at certain accounts. I'm doing a dedicated national flex account so I'll basically be filling in dedicated spots for people on sick leave, or vacations and so on. Like I said earlier, I'm a fat boi (340 pounds, age 25 6 foot 4 in height) and I managed to get passed all their tests. Tests involved climbing up and down a 1 foot~ tall piece of metal for a minute then they measure your heart beat and it can't exceed a certain threshold mine being 176 beats per minute. Then they had you do various bending tasks, squatting, and doing lifting weights from the floor to a table and back 10+ times up to 50 pounds. It wasn't really that bad though, just got to remember to keep breathing while doing your tasks and take your time! You're not being timed.

After all of these tasks, physical, paper work, and so on we were provided food from Schneider's cafeteria which wasn't bad. They will provide 2 meals a day while on training grounds, and a free meal at the hotel (continental breakfast). After all of this they just gave all of us work boots / shoes whichever you prefer they're oil proof, and slip proof and given with ice cleats. The rest of the day we just worked on paper daily work logs, and were told to study pre-trip when we get back to the hotel. So far so good, seems like a good program the instructor said it's a very new program as it has only been around for a few months apparently.

Anyways, I'm going to take a nap and head back tomorrow! If anyone has any questions feel free to ask, I'll be happy to answer.

Honestly, I don't see the 1 year commitment as a downside. They're giving me an opportunity at a new life. Paying for my CDL training, paying me while I attend training so I can still help provide for my family, paying for my room while I'm at location, and providing me with guaranteed employment as long as I do what I am supposed to, and drive safely. I couldn't be more grateful for such an incredible opportunity. Tomorrow is my last day at my desk job also woooo.

Personally I'd probably look at option 2. If they can get you in somewhere to finish your training / testing and provide employment. But again, as you said you might not be sure if that's a good company they're putting you with.

Heck yeah congrats

Heck yeah congratulations, I hear Melton isn't bad at all!

Hello all. This will be my introduction, and diary. I will begin my journey of training for my Class A CDL Monday. 12/17/2018 with Schneider. For the past few years I've been working in a call center for an insurance company that does roadside assistance. I will be leaving my job 12/15/2018 and I couldn't be happier it's just very dull, and boring. I'll be leaving behind my wife, my 2 year old son and probably miss my wife giving birth to our daughter in February. My wife is very supportive of this decision though and pushed me to go through with it. I'm mainly just happy if everything works out I'll make enough money to support my family and have a job that I'll enjoy. Can't wait to update you all next week. If you got any questions about the program or anything I'll be glad to answer.

The 6 month schooling sounds a bit long stretched for a license that typically takes 5 weeks of training and studying to receive. But I'm sure it has its benefits, and if the scheduling and class structure works for you keep at it. I'll keep reading your updates as I've never heard of a CDL school like this. I'm starting with Schneider myself next week they seem pretty promising as a starter company.