Ok, It This Maybe A Little Odd?

Topic 16973 | Page 1

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Larry K.'s Comment
member avatar

So yesterday my trainer told me for the next 2 weeks i can only use his 2016 commercal driver atlas, the trucks fuel book, and the qualcom to route plan. I cannot use the prime mobile app, not even to get the macro 19 messages.

He also proceded to tell me he knows the atlas has some "issues" but will not buy the 2017 yet.

And he has an older qualcom.

Is this some kinda part of TNT training?

TNT:

Trainer-N-Trainee

Prime Inc has their own CDL training program and it's divided into two phases - PSD and TNT.

The PSD (Prime Student Driver) phase is where you'll get your permit and then go on the road for 10,000 miles with a trainer. When you come back you'll get your CDL license and enter the TNT phase.

The TNT phase is the second phase of training where you'll go on the road with an experienced driver for 30,000 miles of team driving. You'll receive 14¢ per mile ($700 per week guaranteed) during this phase. Once you're finished with TNT training you will be assigned a truck to run solo.

Susan D. 's Comment
member avatar

They simply need to know that you can route plan and read an atlas.

During training for new cdl grads, my company doesnt allow gps.. Only atlas and qualcomm written directions, if any and the given route suggestion

Sounds like you have a good trainer.

CDL:

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:

  • Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
  • Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.

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.
Larry K.'s Comment
member avatar

They simply need to know that you can route plan and read an atlas.

During training for new cdl grads, my company doesnt allow gps.. Only atlas and qualcomm written directions, if any and the given route suggestion

Sounds like you have a good trainer.

Cool beans, was thinking it was a little odd, but then, i like doing research. 😊

CDL:

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:

  • Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
  • Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.

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.
Farmerbob1's Comment
member avatar

So yesterday my trainer told me for the next 2 weeks i can only use his 2016 commercal driver atlas, the trucks fuel book, and the qualcom to route plan. I cannot use the prime mobile app, not even to get the macro 19 messages.

He also proceded to tell me he knows the atlas has some "issues" but will not buy the 2017 yet.

And he has an older qualcom.

Is this some kinda part of TNT training?

He's letting you use the Qualcomm? That's nice of him. There are some places in the US where the Qualcomm does not have internet access. For instance some southern stretches of US 287 in Colorado that I can think of right off. A few places in Kansas that I've found too. You need to know how to do it old school, because sometimes that might be the only way. Sure your GPS might store the map, but what happens if it falls off the GPS mount and the touchscreen hits something conductive and registers a command to shut the map app off? Or, if it's voice activated, what if some radio person says a phrase that your GPS doesn't like? Your Qualcomm might suddenly decide to restart itself for an update, and when it comes back up, you aren't in signal range of anything, or, it doesn't come back up.

I had to do my trip planning with an atlas, pen, paper, and ruler. Once I showed my first trainer I could do that for a few trips, I was allowed to use other tools.

That fuel book might be gold though, he might be checking to see if you realize it. If the fuel book tracks by trip, with stops, you might have everything you need right there for common routes, or parts of uncommon routes. Neither of my trainers had anything you could call a fuel book.

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.

TNT:

Trainer-N-Trainee

Prime Inc has their own CDL training program and it's divided into two phases - PSD and TNT.

The PSD (Prime Student Driver) phase is where you'll get your permit and then go on the road for 10,000 miles with a trainer. When you come back you'll get your CDL license and enter the TNT phase.

The TNT phase is the second phase of training where you'll go on the road with an experienced driver for 30,000 miles of team driving. You'll receive 14¢ per mile ($700 per week guaranteed) during this phase. Once you're finished with TNT training you will be assigned a truck to run solo.

Errol V.'s Comment
member avatar

Larry seems to have reservations:

He also proceded to tell me he knows the atlas has some "issues" but will not buy the 2017 yet.

Do not worry about having the absolute latest Atlas edition. I have a 2014 and have had no real issues. Don't sweat it.

Rick S.'s Comment
member avatar

I know of a few trainers that make their trainees do all their trip-planning with the Atlas. Technology isn't perfect - especially if it's BROKEN and you may be forced to resort to a paper atlas to get where you're going.

The QC is going to give the route the Trip Planners software suggests - but sometimes this can be outdated, or still route you places where trucksaren't supposed to go.

Best to know how to use it.

Rick

Trucker Kearsey 's Comment
member avatar

Beware ... KY at I 69 is different in 2016 than 2017. ;). Found that out. Exit numbers changed.

Be glad he is doing this. Many trainers care only about u driving and getting them miles. Many don't do trip planning ... Be sure to ask about SOKO time management.

The new QC have GPS in them with useful things like "find fuel stop"

Larry K.'s Comment
member avatar

Beware ... KY at I 69 is different in 2016 than 2017. ;). Found that out. Exit numbers changed.

Be glad he is doing this. Many trainers care only about u driving and getting them miles. Many don't do trip planning ... Be sure to ask about SOKO time management.

The new QC have GPS in them with useful things like "find fuel stop"

SOKO time managment?

Larry K.'s Comment
member avatar

double-quotes-start.png

So yesterday my trainer told me for the next 2 weeks i can only use his 2016 commercal driver atlas, the trucks fuel book, and the qualcom to route plan. I cannot use the prime mobile app, not even to get the macro 19 messages.

He also proceded to tell me he knows the atlas has some "issues" but will not buy the 2017 yet.

And he has an older qualcom.

Is this some kinda part of TNT training?

double-quotes-end.png

He's letting you use the Qualcomm? That's nice of him. There are some places in the US where the Qualcomm does not have internet access. For instance some southern stretches of US 287 in Colorado that I can think of right off. A few places in Kansas that I've found too. You need to know how to do it old school, because sometimes that might be the only way. Sure your GPS might store the map, but what happens if it falls off the GPS mount and the touchscreen hits something conductive and registers a command to shut the map app off? Or, if it's voice activated, what if some radio person says a phrase that your GPS doesn't like? Your Qualcomm might suddenly decide to restart itself for an update, and when it comes back up, you aren't in signal range of anything, or, it doesn't come back up.

I had to do my trip planning with an atlas, pen, paper, and ruler. Once I showed my first trainer I could do that for a few trips, I was allowed to use other tools.

That fuel book might be gold though, he might be checking to see if you realize it. If the fuel book tracks by trip, with stops, you might have everything you need right there for common routes, or parts of uncommon routes. Neither of my trainers had anything you could call a fuel book.

Am liking it so far, but then as noted, i always did enjoy digging for facts....

What i am understanding is one use of the fuel book is to locate and plan my rest stop, and final stop.

Guess i am surprised none of this was touched on in orientation, but then guess they cant hit everything.

Am thinking this all would maybe be good to compile into a single tnt training thread of the process /progression through the tnt phase of training, dont think i have seen any of this mentioned in any thread, so, I ask. Ya dont know, what ya dont know.

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.

TNT:

Trainer-N-Trainee

Prime Inc has their own CDL training program and it's divided into two phases - PSD and TNT.

The PSD (Prime Student Driver) phase is where you'll get your permit and then go on the road for 10,000 miles with a trainer. When you come back you'll get your CDL license and enter the TNT phase.

The TNT phase is the second phase of training where you'll go on the road with an experienced driver for 30,000 miles of team driving. You'll receive 14¢ per mile ($700 per week guaranteed) during this phase. Once you're finished with TNT training you will be assigned a truck to run solo.

Larry K.'s Comment
member avatar

Larry seems to have reservations

Do not worry about having the absolute latest Atlas edition. I have a 2014 and have had no real issues. Don't sweat it.

Reservations/concerns ehhh Tomato/Tomaato

Syntax and inflection.

Just new, and asking what is the norm, did not see any mention in previous threads.

Was going to get my own atlas, his suggestion was wait.

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