The Smith System...will it be worth it?

http://www.gwrramachapterf.org/gw_images/gwrra_smith_system.pdf


This was how I was trained in the Smith System. Read it, learn it, live it. 15 years and nearly 2 million miles with NO accidents. no learning curve. I was trained by a driver at a company I was going to be hired on with. 4 weeks training then on my own. One of the things the guy that taught me was the Smith System. He gave me a pamphlet. That was 1997. This is 2011. I'll pass along the PDF file.

Please remit payment for "training" in the amount of $350 (I'll give you a discount) to Biscuit, Circleville, Ohio. Thanks...

 

Looks like nothing special, just the rules of good,safe,defensive driving. Should have been taught them when learning to drive.
If you do not know how to apply these fundamentals, taking the course might be wise.:smt039Good luck, but remember, not everyone is cut out to be a truck driver.


Added: ANY paper with certification can only help.

 

Will it benefit him personally? Yes
Assist him in getting employment? Less than likely and $360 is a decent chunk of change for something that may or may not help.

Pound the pavement, with cross dock experience maybe look into some of the LTL carriers or logistics providers (CEVA, Penske, Ryder.........) may garner some type of local work combined with dock time. Couple years running around doing that with no accidents will be far more impressive than a certificate from The Smith System people. No offense to them. Great program, but you've already been shown the bulk of the material in a post above.

 

Very interesting, I learned all of this over 20 years ago. I have had my motorcycle license for more then 20 years, and had it before I got the license to dirve a car. I have always felt that this has made me more alert to what happens out on the road.

Just my opinion

 

You'd be surprised by the number of people that think of operating a vehicle "just driving". And have no concept that it is in fact something that requires attentio to detail if for nothing else for self preservation. Something motor cycle operators understand because their is no barrier between the road and their skin.


Smith is all common sense for people without any.

 

Taking the class is an indication of attitude and motivation. Employers will notice. A good instructor will motivate the student to be a life-long safe driver. This is more important than the details of the Smith System. Any good mentor can instill a safe attitude. The classroom instructor at my "alma matter" said he would be riding on our shoulder wherever we went. I never forgot him or the Smith System.

 

In my opinion, no--going thru the class will not nessesarily appreciatively improve chances of employment considering it's $400 (don't forget gas).

If it were free, i would say go for it knock yourself out.


However, i feel he definitely should read about the smith system and his own and not pay for it and follow it to a T. This is so helpful regardless.

i think the 400 would be better spend driving around diego and looking at smaller, lesser known companies and then knocking on doors to see if they are hiring.

BTW what do you do all day?