Another Day Schneider Orientation

     Well Schneider Orientation is going good but they're really cramming us with homework. We get up at 5:00 am eat breakfast at the hotel and the bus picks us up at 6:00. A full day of learning about paper logging, pre-trip, coupling, backing, road skills, everything done the Schneider way. Although we use a Qualcom computer they still want us to learn paper loggingjust in case the Qualcom breaks down. They also do what is called bump and run downshifting. This is where you downshift by skipping gears say 7th gear bypassing 6th and going to 5th.  You could skip up to 3 gears or 3 gears depending on the situation. They say by skipping gears like that they can save on fuel. 

    
      It's very cold here in Green Bay in February and we have to be outside almost all day. Damm, I should have come in the spring!  Something you may want to consider if you decide trucking is right for you. Being outside in the freezing cold waiting for your turn to practice driving on the course along with the stress of leaving the family behind can really take it's toll.

Back At Schneider Orientation

     Well I'm back again for another shot at starting my driving career with Schneider Trucking. This is a continuation of my blog from my first tryout for Schneider. The first time I went to Schneider orientation in January I came with high expectations but ended failing their physical. As a result I ended having to come home with my tail between my legs. I went to my doctor for a complete physical. The only thing he found was that my blood pressure was high so now I on medication.
     
     Even though I passed my physical this time my pulse rate was still high which means I guess that the medication may have to be adjusted. Now we have non-stop class work so they can cram as much information as they can in the short time we are here. We also have mentors assigned to us to see how we drive and to help us with any weak areas we may have.
I'll continue to blog as I progress through the training program.

How To Be A Healthy Trucker

It's not always easy to stay in healthy shape while on the road. Sitting down driving for long periods and grabbing a quick junkfood snack at a fuel stop can take it's toll on a driver. Exercise and proper healthy meals are a must or you'll be gaining lots of unwanted extra pounds not to mention health problems. Check out this website "The Healthy Trucker". Useful tips on how to manage your health and more.  How To Be a Healthy Trucker | Free Truck Driver Health Tips & Advice
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Pile Up On Snowy Indiana Highway

Winter weather is a reminder of how we have to be EXTRA CAREFUL when driving in the snowy and icey roadways. Even when you are driving extra careful anything can happen. Check out this story just recently.  More than 30 vehicles, including 20 semitrailers, pile up on snowy Ind. interstate; 10 injured