Hello Schneider

We are starting with a new company. Schneider National. The big orange pumpkins, which suits the OSU Beaver Lover in me just fine. 

                                           not our truck

Our home time was busy. We got a lot of work done on the little house. 

                                           it doesnt look like it but we really did get a lot done

Touch base with a few family and friends.  

                                       Jennifer, Lauran, Lilly & Natelie (son in law mike taking pic)

                                                  kenny, Jacob and son in law Jeff

                                               our younget and oldest, Willy & Paige

 2 weeks home was a great reminder of what our goal is, what we are working towards. Being able to spend more time with our family and friends.

After passing another DOT Physical and urine test Schneider also requires a hair sample drug test.

                                                 I'm sure thats how much they took

The list of items Schneider told us to bring did not include supplies for more than a few days.  So Will and I debated about whether or not that meant we would be going home after being issued a truck, or if bringing supplies for more than a week was just expected as common knowledge.  So we compromised. Clothes for 2 weeks and some truck stuff. GPS etc…

They had us staying at the Clarion Hotel in Portland. Very nice. But the pool was cold and the hot tub was burning our eyes with the amount of chlorine.  I can not say enough good things about the bed. I tried to steal it but Will wouldn’t help me carry it.

The physical aptitude testing was not as bad as I thought it was going to be.

                                                          luckily I'm in good shape

 More frustrating was the drive test.  I had a feeling if I could not back the instructor would help me. But, that turned out not to be the problem. Shifting was the issue.  

 My 4 years of experience included an 8 speed transmission, only.

 and this truck was a 10 speed.

 Will says the truck we are getting is going to be a 10speed.

After trying and searching and grinding and missing and stalling, I decided that there was nothing wrong with 5^th gear.

When we get back to  the class room we told the other two new drivers my trouble shifting and one of the guys, the one with as much experience as Will, tells me I don’t have to use 1^st or 6^th  gear. I can continue to use the  H  pattern Im used to. 

Just start in 2^nd, 3^rd, 4^th, 5^th, shift to high then 7^th,8^th,9^th,10^th.

I looked at Will and he says, Yea, yea you can do that.

WTH ~  Thanks Mike. That would have been helpful Will.

I did a great job on my backing. The instructor tells me to just put it back where we got it from, and got out. (Will said I scarred him with my forward driving) 

So I went about setting myself up. Looking at the empty spot, going past till the drive tires just pass it, turn hard right, count to 10 then hard left until I see the spot. Back up, go forward to straighten up, do that a couple more times and just like that Im in.

The whole time Will is telling me,   your doing it wrong,   where are you going,   what hole are you looking at,   are you even using your mirrors,   your dyslexia is getting worse

I told him, Dave is over there having a cigarette do you want to join him, but by then I was parked. Mostly straight. I did not hit a cone,or anything else and I was in my spot. Most importantly I passed and nobody got hurt, (not even Will)

After all that, Schneider does not have a team truck for us yet. Need to give them a day or two to find us one.
So we are home for a couple of days re-thinking what we are taking with us.  We cannot have an inverter so no refrigerator or microwave. That is going to be hard to get used to. How am I going to keep yogurt and salad. How is Will going to make coffee. 

 It seems contradictory to have trucking company’s, tell drivers to stay fit, eat right, etc, but not allow you to have a refrigerator or microwave to help you accomplish that. 

They are forcing drivers to make poor choices. Truck stop food is not healthy.

 Even though they have apples and banana’s. They have some fast food joint attached to them or a quick sitdown buffet. Paying for every meal, snack, and coffee at fast food prices is incredible expensive.  

                                    if the truck stop is open.

We will be making some big changes concerning food.  Lots of  PB&J sandwiches. (jelly in those restaurant packs, from Costco). Maybe a couple days of yogurt in an ice chest, sandwich meat and cheese, mayo in the packets. 

 But I'm sure it will all work out, we are not the first team and we wont be the last team to live without a refridg & microwave.

There is still a lot to learn with Schneider but we cant wait to get started on this new chapter in our team driving adventure.

Love and miss you all