Carroll Bean, Jr. is a FedEx Custom Critical White Glove straight truck contractor who has discovered the "thrill of competition" – specifically, the National Truck Driving Championships (NTDC).
Carroll found his way into the NTDC by competing in and winning the straight truck championships this past June in his home state of Vermont.
Interesting Fact: Carroll’s wife Dora finished second in the category!
As a state champion, Carroll was then eligible to compete in the Nationals held this year in Tampa, FL. Every state was represented at this year’s event except Hawaii.
The 363 participants in the NTDC were vying for 3 finishing spots in each of 9 categories. The competition includes a Written test, Skills test, Pre-Trip test and Interview.
Carroll says,”When I started out at the state level, I didn’t think I would ever make it past that point. I began to study and practice, so at least I had a fighting chance.
The next stop was a four-day FedEx competition in July in Indianapolis, where different FedEx divisions such as Ground, Express, Freight, Custom Critical ,etc. competed to see who would represent the company in Tampa.
***image1***This year, FedEx sent 68 drivers to the championships, the most ever. FedEx Custom Critical even sent three management folks to Tampa to lend moral support and to help me out.”
Tuesday, August 16
“Upon arrival at the Tampa Convention Center, we signed in and were treated to a welcoming celebration. I began to appreciate just what a major event the NTDC is, especially for the trucking companies.”
The multi-floor Convention Center had the ballrooms and the “bullpens” located on the bottom floor. The bullpens were holding areas where the drivers were isolated by truck class until they were called in groups to compete.
“The third floor was where the actual competitions took place including the driving skills tests. The NTDC provided all of the trucks, the tractor-trailers, straight trucks, etc., that were used in the competition.”
“We had a chance to look over the equipment and select the one we wanted to use. In the straight truck class, we had two Freightliner M2’s with 6-speeds along with one International with, I think, an automatic.
All three trucks had day cabs and 22′ boxes. I chose one of the M2’s because it was close to my old FL70. The next time I saw the truck was when it was time to compete – no practice.”
Wednesday, August 17
All of the drivers were ushered into a large meeting room for the written test that consisted of questions about the trucking industry, safety and regulations, personal safety and fire. The test had fifty questions and the drivers had one hour to complete it.
For this year’s written test, the drivers used a hand-held selector that Carroll describes as being like a “TV remote control” tied to a computer system.
Unfortunately, at the end of the test, it was discovered that the system had broken down and the competitors had to retake the test the next morning using the tried and true pencil and paper method.
Thursday, August 18
Carroll states, “They ran two courses for the driving skills, an “A” course and a “B” course, so there were two drivers competing at the same time. Each course was different and the organizers selected the course. The courses were supposedly very similar and after the straight trucks were tested, the markers were changed for the larger trucks.”
Carroll took his driving skills test around mid-day on Thursday and he says that driving indoors presented quite a challenge: “The artificial lighting and shadows took some getting used to.
Some drivers were very successful in that particular test and some had difficulties, but I believe that all of us knew that we were competent drivers. Our performance on the course just represented how we did on that day.”
The drivers had six minutes to complete the course and then they were done for the day.
“The degree of camaraderie at the Nationals was unbelieveable. The drivers didn’t give away any of their secrets, but you would meet drivers coming back from their test while you’re heading to yours and they would sincerely wish you good luck. Everyone wanted to win, but they wanted others to do well, also.”
Friday, August 19
The drivers gathered in the bullpen on Friday morning, then were taken in groups to a smaller waiting area before their Pre-Trip tests. The competitors were given five minutes to find a total of ten defects – five major and five minor. Some of the planted items included a beer can in the truck, debris in the cab, missing valve stems and other items.
“I’m just not as agile as I used to be and to find some of the items required crawling under and around the test truck – I was just not fast enough to find all of the defects.”
The final test was the interview conducted by two DOT agents whose questions were taken from the “Facts for Drivers” handbook. The questions focused on the driver’s knowledge of management, law enforcement, regulations, and the driver’s attitude towards safety and the business of trucking. Carroll figures his interview lasted about six minutes.
Saturday, August 19
The previous tests were to find the semi-finalists for the last round of competition on Saturday. After a parade and presentations before some 1,500 spectators, the entire group was lined up and the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishers in each class was announced and they were directed to the bullpens while the driving course was re-set.
These competitors took their turns on the course, and then it was over. The organizers didn’t announce the winners until that evening’s banquet.
And the winner is: Rick Herbert, Yellow Freight driver from Villa Park, IL – the National Grand Champion. His prize? A brand new Hummer.
So how did Carroll do?
Carroll finished 23rd out of 48 drivers in his straight truck class.
Carroll says that if any drivers out there are considering a try at the NTDC, go for it. He tells us that in addition to the theme of safety, skills and knowledge, it’s a great deal of fun. “They treat you like royalty – great hotels, great dining – it’s almost like a mini-vacation.”
