Question:
I've read a lot of your very informative posts on truck.net and I want to thank all of you for helping out so many new drivers. I have a question maybe you can help me with.
I completed a PTDI truck school on October 3rd. The M.D. would give me only a 3 month medical card because I tested high blood sugar. I have since been diagnosed with pre-diabetes and was prescribed only diet and exercise to treat it. I think I can control the sugar now to get a longer medical card. I'm scheduled for orientation at the Dallas Werner terminal Friday.
Is the medical physical administered on the first day? I want to fast before the physical. My fasting sugar has been reading around 105. I hope they do the physical exam early on the first day.
Since I haven't been in a truck for two months and the only experience is what was gained in the school, I'm wondering what is involved with any driving test that Werner will require from me during orientation. Is a pretrip inspection expected and just exactly what should that inspection be?
1. Check fluids and belts
2. Thump the tires
3. Check all lights
4. Do air brake tests (as in the CDL test)
Do you think this would be adequate for a pretrip or should there be something else?
How long is the road test and is it given on the first day? Is drop and hook tested?
I'm really looking forward to this. I just know for sure I'm going to enjoy driving for Werner.

Answer:
I completed a PTDI truck school on October 3rd
Did'nt they teach you "Pre-Trip" at that school?
If Werner tests you on pre-trip, then they will expect the same as you learned a full Pre-trip inspection.
If the school never showed you, and/or gave you a cheat sheet---you can find a "method" in the front of any truckers atlas.
_________________________
Cover Your Cans People!!!It's apparent this place is never going to change....then again; why should it? It gets the clientel it deserves.
Bette Midler

Answer:
i've worked for werner twice and i can tell you they don't pre-trip you. werner hires 15 to 20 new people a week (and they have about 6 or 8 terminals they hire and do orintation from depending on were your from) and don't have the time to pre-trip everyone.

Answer:
If Werner tests you on pre-trip, then they will expect the same as you learned a full Pre-trip inspection.
Well, the school went over the entire cheat sheet inspection on the first day we went to the range trucks. Later when we did road training, the only pre-trip we did every time was this:

1. Check fluids and belts
2. Thump the tires
3. Check all lights
4. Do air brake tests (as in the CDL test)

Thank you White Dog. You answered my question - Do the full thing.
i've worked for werner twice and i can tell you they don't pre-trip you.
Thanks Badman.

Answer:
Werner does their road test at the end of training, not during orientation, so taht shouldn't be a problem. Get into the habit of doing your pre-trip each day and you will be fine.
They had me do a pre-trip, a 10 mile road test, a 90 degree back, and a 45 degree back.
It's no biggie.
When you do your training tell the trainer you want to do as much of the backing as possible. It will help.
I've always been crazy, but it's kept me from going insane.
Waylon Jennings

Answer:
And be aware that sitting in the jump seat and watching you try to back up is pretty stressful for the trainer, expcially if there are other trucks waiting. Don't take it personally if your trainer raises his/her voice a bit or maybe tries to help too much, etc....
But backing-up in real situations is the best practice. If you're lucky with Werner, your training will be in a big-radius Classic putting a 53' trailer in lots of tight, older docks. Cut your trainer some slack. It's awfully hard to sit there and watch someone struggle with the truck -- but that's always the BEST training experience.
And if you're not 100% (like you're career and self-exteem depended on it) sure, set the breaks, open the door, walk back/over and LOOK!
You'll probably see Werner's new safety video: "Backing By Sight, Not By Sound" I swear that's what it's called.......

Answer:
....would be reduced considerably if they put themselves in a position where they could actually help the newbie back the trailer into the dock.
Now I know you are well-informed and relatively competent at both doing the job and passing on information to your students,Shuffler, but some of your bad habits grate on my nerves.
For instance....
From experience, I have found that if, I, as trainer, stand in front of the truck when it is backing up, and turn my hand in the direction and at the speed, that I want the trainee to turn the steering wheel, they get the feel of the procedure very quickly. And nobody gets impatient.
Far more effective than whimpering from the jump seat.
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Answer:
From experience, I have found that if, I, as trainer, stand in front of the truck when it is backing up, and turn my hand in the direction and at the speed, that I want the trainee to turn the steering wheel, they get the feel of the procedure very quickly. And nobody gets impatient
Well I agree with you of course. I'm refering to the real world and who might be "helping" them if they don't get you.
Cut your trainer a little slack. It's good advice if you get a great trainer too. But they probably won't and if a fight's brewing, parking instruction can stress both to their limits, even if the trainer is out of the truck, and especially if he's standing out there yelling and flapping his arms in front of everyone. I've seen lots of that and that is not training. not saying you, but you've seen it too.
Cut your trainer a little slack. It's good advice for anyone with any trainer, I think. Don't sweat the little personality stuff. Be glad they care if you hit the other truck, even if they're not helping you the way you want them to all the time.... Stay focused on the task, that's all I'm saying.
[This message was edited by Shuffler on December 07, 2003 at 2:19.]

Answer:
"...yelling and flapping his arms in front of everyone."
Cutting a trainer like this "some slack", would be less preferable than 'cutting 'em loose' completely.
I am not really surprised that there is such a 'seemingly' high stress level in your personal Driving Academy based mostly on how easily you can set off some of our most laid back and flexible members........(snicker)
Take note....
Sit beside the trainee until he/she gets lined up for the 'hole'. Should be a one move procedure, no time for stress.....
Then get out of the truck and place yourself where you can see the hole and the driver, leaving instructions with the trainee, that they watch your hand for directions.
No waving, no shouting. Keep your signals the size of a 'catcher's mitt'......KNOW what you are doing.
Instill confidence in the trainee.
Get more poseurs on the road...Yeh, that's the ticket!!
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.

Answer:
I limited my hand signals to just one: Stop.
Telling them which way to turn the wheel is a little over the top, but if it works for you and doesn't confuse the student and they're actually learning something.....whatever works.
Again -- how you train your students to back-up is very interesting and I'm sure you're great at it and I bet it's not much different than what I did when I trained.
My comment was not about the best way to train or how I train versus how you train or anything like that.... It was advising students about the various personalities different trainers have (I guess) and to simply appreciate that observing or "helping" a student back up his truck is more stressful for some than others (how's that?).
I wasn't speaking to how you do it or how I do it, etc -- general advice for newbies, not intended to pizz-off any trainers. I think you were reading something more personal into it than I intended.