Graduated Integrad!! All of your advice was truly helpful - most especially testing out early for the 5 and 10, so it's not hanging over your head during the week. Most grateful to my HR department for having us memorize the 5 and 10 prior to going, and having us practice driving ahead of time out on the back lot. This made a HUGE difference is not feeling so overwhelmed at first, because INTEGRAD throws ALOT of information at you all at once! The people who had not done this ahead of time, were behind the 8 ball already and several failed.
Driver drill came easy - It's like doing an "M" - and they only want you to say "hazard" or "clear". It goes Left Mirror; Left Curb; Eye-Lead Time; Following Distance; Speed; Right Curb; Right Mirror; Right Curb; Eye-Lead Time; Following Distance; Speed; Left Curb; Left Mirror. You keep doing this pattern back and forth for 2 solid minutes.
There was also Driver Commentary - you had to call out everything your brain was processing, so they know you are seeing everything: ALL signs; crosswalks (clear or hazard); Intersection (hazard or clear) - Left/Right/Left; Driveway (hazard or clear). Then when you are stopped at a light you go through TIMS - Traffic light red; Intersection - Hazard or Clear; Motorists and Pedestrians (stating whether they exist or not)....my brain is fried, I can't remember the S...right now; you also call out all you do - parking brake on at red light; space between car; when light turns green counting aloud 1-2-3 seconds; announcing any crosswalks, intersections being clear; Another thing is announcing "Billboards" - any trees, buildings, oversized trucks....anything that limits your view of ANY area. The key to Driver Commentary is JUST KEEP TALKING....ALL THE TIME...NOTHING IS INSIGNIFICANT...EVERY OBSERVATION MATTERS.
Integration Station was the hardest for me. It helped to time myself, just to gain some perspective. I set up a practice course and used a rolling chair, as if it was me driving, and going through every motion necessary. I realized I had WAY MORE TIME than I thought. And once my mind relaxed from the time pressure, things came easy. I picked up patterns, such as when coming to a stop - it was always "Parking Brake"-Ignition (off)- Hazard(s) (lights on).....each person has to find what works for them to remember the methods.
And the best advice of all from y'all was "If you want it bad enough, you'll do what it takes to make it happen". Extra studying, asking lots of questions, practicing in the hotel at nights, etc. this will ensure your success.
Good luck to any other future Integrad'ers.
I can tell you that Integrad training gave me pride in the job and a huge sense of accomplishment. It was an excellent training course (not perfect by any means, but truly excellent.)
Thanks to all of you BC'ers who responded - again, I am truly grateful for your well spoken, clear advice.
