Schneider Orientation 😅

Well my friends - all packed up and headed to Phoenix tomorrow for 3 weeks of Schneider orientation. My biggest concerns:

1. Haven’t even pulled, coupled, or backed a 53ft yet - (school only had 28ft trailers)

2. Will I have time to go train at 10th planet jiu jitsu in Phoenix - 🤣 just being honest

AND—————— I don’t want to get sun burnt at the pool... 😅🙏🏼

Good luck! Remember your entire time there is basically a long interview.

53 foot trailer is easier to back in some aspects because it doesn't maneuver so fast.

You will find that it's easier to back a 53 footer than shorter trailers, which turn quicker. Have a good flight and best wishes for your training.

Laura

I wouldn’t be concerned about that sunburn. Since you won’t be seeing much of the pool, here’s a view of ours. I get to see it about once a week. 😆

Thank you for the reminder and advice!

Good luck! Remember your entire time there is basically a long interview.

53 foot trailer is easier to back in some aspects because it doesn't maneuver so fast.

Thanks Laura!

And Steve- thank for bursting my joyful bubble 🤣🤣🤣

Before you leave the vicinity of the Phoenix O.C., make sure you get over to Kay’s for breakfast; it’s a short walk (less than a mile from the o.c.) and well worth it! Best of luck with the training, and yes, you should have time to practice your jujitsu at night.

Pete- you made my day even better! Thank you!

Before you leave the vicinity of the Phoenix O.C., make sure you get over to Kay’s for breakfast; it’s a short walk (less than a mile from the o.c.) and well worth it! Best of luck with the training, and yes, you should have time to practice your jujitsu at night.

You got this. I actually had fun during my stay. The classroom instructors were always willing to help. The driving instructor was firm and fair. They'll let you know if you go astray.

The hardest thing for noobs, that I saw (IMHO), was not paying attention to detail when taking tests.

Good luck!

Week one is done and what a week!

I have to say this has been one of the most personal development challenging season of my life ( first day stepping into a jiu-jitsu school for the first time two years ago at the age of 48 was another) the last 4 months when I started this journey back in November 2020 with “hey, I think will get my CDL” it’s been incredible to push myself past the many MENTAL barriers I’ve experienced starting a new career at 50 in a career space I have never thought about doing until - well, last November hahaha.

For those reading and are considering trucking as a career - its way more then just driving down the road to get some freight somewhere as fast as you can. Get that out of your head quickly. It’s about getting that freight as SAFELY as you can in a timely matter.

It was until Wednesday of this week March 17 that I had an opportunity to get in that drivers seat and pull out onto the road with that 53ft’ trailer behind me (for the first time) when I started to really grasp the comments of 70’ and 80k pounds of destruction that “I AM” taking responsible to SAFELY and PROFESSIONAL operate.

What an eye opening experience this week-

Anyways, nothing but good things to say about Schneider and their trainers and team here in Phoenix. They’ve taken good care of us, professional and you can tell they know what they are doing and the expectations are high but reachable.

By the way ——— 53ft trailer so much easier (if easy is the right way to say it because it’s not easy per say) to back up then those 28ft that I learned on and tested with at CDL school !

I was told by my trainer yesterday that I am on schedule with everything. So that’s great!

This week we will drive and back more Monday and Tuesday. The only “test” we have is 45 back we have 15 minutes to complete the maneuver. I don’t see anyone in my class not doing that- go slow and GOAL. That’s what I’ve been doing. Slow and steady is my new motto!

Wednesday-Friday we are in classroom for tablet and other planning training.

Then next week if all goes as planned I will be out on the road for 5-7 days with my mentor or training engineer.

Thanks everybody for all the great advice these last few months!