Prime Training 101, Part 5

Now let me tell you what I learned about SIM class. The staff in SIM class are AWESOME. Brett, Steven, Sean, Richard, Andrew & Wally are just the ones that I remember. They will explain to you in detail about each and every step of the class and what to expect, why you made a mistake, (if you do)(and you will), and how to correct that mistake. They encourage you to ask questions. Remember earlier I said there were no dumb questions, well this is where my questions came in.

SIM class consist of 9 truck driving simulators. They ARE NOT video games. Again, here is another area that if you want to get noticed in a negative sense, call them video games. There is, so I am told, $1.5 million dollars’ worth of equipment in this room. They can be forgiving when you make a mistake, and in a general term, they WILL give you a “feel” for driving. You have to understand though, that they do not factor in many aspects of driving a real truck, including the torque produced from the engine of the real thing, so even if you think you have “mastered” the art of upshifting, downshifting, skip shifting and the various backing maneuvers, trust me, you have not. Real world is much different, but the simulators do give you a greater jump on getting behind the wheel of an 80,000 missile and somewhat knowing what’s going on.

When you are operating the SIMS, you will most likely have at least one other on the same simulator, sometimes more if you have a large class. My class was small so we had two to a simulator most days.

Partner up with one of your SIM mates. Help each other with the course. Point out what is being done wrong AND right by the other. Some tips for the classes. ALWAYS KEEP BOTH HANDS ON THE WHEEL. DO NOT RIDE THE CLUTCH. Sit down at the simulator just as if you were getting in your car. Seatbelt should ALWAYS be the first move you make after sitting down.

It is very important that you remember that SIM Class is an important part of the training. The staff will stress to you over and over again, that no matter what other issues you are working on, (permitting, interview, etc.), you should NOT miss SIM Class. The only exception that I found was on Friday if you happen to be one of the last ones not to get all your testing requirements completed by the end of training.

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday are pretty much the same – finish what you need to get done. Friday is your Final Meeting. Everyone must be in attendance. You will have your final SIM class and evaluation on those classes. Remember, SIM classroom is open almost 24/7 while you are there. If you feel that you need to practice, then go practice. Just ask the Instructor on duty if he has an available slot that you can use. They are very accommodating. You will also receive instruction from Sean about PTI, or Pre-Trip Inspection. Please ask as many questions as you can. This is an important part of passing your testing when you test for the CDL with the DOT Examiner.

So that pretty much goes over day 1 through day 5, Monday through Friday. I am sure I left many things out, but if you follow your schedule, ask questions and don’t be late, then you will be fine through this training.

On Friday you will receive your Binder, Safety Vest and your Hard PSD ID card. You can now visit the Millennium building.

Throughout the week you will see seasoned drivers and some of them may just be onsite at the Campus Inn looking for PSD and/or TNT students that will complete their training on Friday. You may be approached by some of them. Some will tell you why they are there, other will just simply engage you in conversation. Don’t forget that this is leading into the next phase of your training.

Here’s a hint for new students. For instance, say you are from Florida as I am, you are 900 miles from home and you hope to get home to see family soon, so you are hoping to be approached by a trainer driver that may also be from Florida. But how does he, or you know the other is from Florida? Advertise! What did I do without being blatantly obvious? I wore a very bright ORANGE Florida Gators hat. Everyone from Florida knows the team and it drew trainers from Florida to me. I got what I was looking for, a trainer from Florida. So it worked.