Southern Pines Trucking Cryo

So I said I will make this thread. And here it is after day 1 of orientation. I never did this type of thread before. So probably will be messy but whatever.

So weeks before orientation I was emailed stuff to do a drug test near where I live. Both hair and urine. Later on after delays that I said about in another thread. I finally had a date to head down to Blairsville PA for training/orientation. Was emailed a flight from Maine to Pittsburgh PA also transport to the hotel from the airport. Which my last flight arrived about 20mins early. So was at the hotel around noon I think on Sunday. Also before I forget. The guy at SPT was so nice about everything. Answering everything I asked about via text. Hotel room is a double bed by myself. Which according to the woman at the hotel front desk. PGT (who runs orientation) books double bed rooms because cheaper.

Today around 7:30am went to the training center nearby for day 1 of orientation. Which only got 6 people including me. 2 PGT company drivers, 1 PGT O/O, 1 Lease driver and 2 SPT company drivers. Because PGT does flatbed most info told was related to that.

They did some form of a physical test. To test your balance and etc. Also if didn't get your drug screen before you got down. The test sent to do near where you live. It's valid for 30 days from test date. There was a road test in a old automatic international. Which to me the brake you really had to press to work.

Your required to do online lessons via Carriers Edge. Which depends on the position your going to do. Currently I'm on some hazmat thing that lasts around 2 hours and it's slow but oh well. Because if don't get the right about right on a test twice. You need to redo it all.

They give everyone a shirt with company logo, reflective vest, gloves, hard hat, disposable ear plugs and safety glasses. When I arrived they didn't give vests or shirts to the SPT drivers. Also wrong branded hard hat.

You get breakfast at hotel. They give you lunch during orientation and dinner they pay for you pickup to eat at the hotel. We was givin a list to mark what we want on each day.

Did learn my recruiter is my fleet manager/dispatcher. Which tells me how small SPT is. Which during orientation was told they do stuff related to airplanes and etc. Even have a dedicated account for SpaceX.

Tomorrow going to have a remote call I'm guessing over Zoom. With some higher ups including current president. Where each need to stand up and say why we chosen to join this company. Because during orientation it's sort of a interview. So they can see if your worth keeping. Like during that call we're required to wear the shirt was given. Even had to wear it when taken I think a ID picture. We was told about a guy that swore to never wear the shirt.

Think I covered all for now. Sorry if it's a mess. But I did warn you so yea

 

Day 2
At the start of the day we had the Zoom call I mentioned. Think about 60 people in the meeting. My recruiter/fleet manager introduced me then I said why I chosen this company. I just said it's like how my previous job was before Canadians bought it.

After talked a little about pay and benefits. Will talk more about benefits tomorrow.

Rest of the day we was to finish up the online lessons. Which I finished mine yesterday. So most of the day I sat doing nothing. Then near the end of the day did some hazmat training. We ran out of time when doing Airgas training.

So that's day 2 for me. Everything very good so far. Was told on Thursday heading to Wampum for some more SPT stuff.

 

Day 3

Went over benefits. Then smith system. Was told about PGT cameras. Unsure about SPT cameras. I assume the same. Every day you start out with 1k points. You loose points when it detected certain events. Like following distance, speed and etc. I don't fully remember it all.

Got a review on hos then was told about the tablet ie eld and etc.

Then finished up Airgas training. Tomorrow checking out of the hotel to head down to Wampum to finish up things. I'm just guessing what's happening there.

 

Day 4

So today checked out the hotel. Gotten tablet and fuel card. Then guy from safety drove us to Wampum where I met my fleet manager and had SPT cryomatic orientation. Also was given cryo gear. Helmet face shield, gloves and ear protection. Currently at the airport for a flight to Chicago to get truck from Gary Indiana. Then going to be shadowing the trainer. Which if I heard it right. He will be doing local stuff. So park my truck at a truck stop. Then be in their truck in the passenger seat. Learning how to do things. Then back to my truck to sleep at the end of the day.

One thing I can say. This company is very small. I met the cryo division president. Also saw the founder walk past the window of the room was in for orientation. Which he still drives heavy haul.

About home time. If your date is coming up and you like 200 miles away. They might allow you to just deadhead to home. Otherwise they chose a place to park the truck. Then fly you home.

I did learn the price of a new cryo trailer. Think was around $400k. Because they had a brand new one in the yard. That we walked out to look at.

They got some older trucks/trailers that are powered by PTO. But was told they often are forever with the same combination. Like truck A has PTO and trailer B has powered by PTO. So they almost always have truck A pull trailer B.

 

Even though day isn't done. Thought to make a post. Currently their flying me from Chicago to Houston. Because originally they was going to put me into a 2019 truck. It had something with a window switch not working. So instead of that truck. I'm getting put into a 2023 truck. So I'm going from previous company in a 2020 International LT to a new company in a 2023 Peterbilt 579. So a very nice upgrade.