But Benefits Are Great!
Just Words On A Screen
For those who do not know, INTEGRAD is the relatively new intensive driver training program, a hands-on course that lasts 5 days, Monday thru Friday, from 7am to 6pm daily. All potential drivers going for a full time position must take this course. Mine was located in Landover, Maryland.
I found very little information with regards to what to expect with this course, all the way from it is boot camp, to it is easy, to it is impossible, the entire gamut. The general concensus was that it was regimented, strict, and similar to boot camp.
I went down with thje attitude that I believed it was serious, I believed it was crucial, but how hard could it possibly be? How can you fill 5 full days with instruction on this? I began my attendance intending to get a perfect score, be the first to take the tests, come back with the best score ever, etc.
By Weds, I was simply praying that I would pass the course at all. It is exceptionally intense. Every minute of your day is planned out. If you are not serious, you will not pass. Our class of 20 had 4 students that did not finish. The week before, less than 1/2 the class went home as graduates.
Here would be my personal suggestions if you plan to attend INTEGRAD to become a driver;
1. Become a Saturday Air driver first - the experience with the vehicle and DIAD are invaluable
2. Know the 5 Seeing Habits - Know them word for word, forward & backwards, by number, completely - be comfortable reciting them.
3. Know the 10 Point Commentary - Not word for word, necessarily, but know them & what they mean
4. Be familiar with the DIAD - I could not imagine passing if you had not already experienced using it.
5. Know how to drive stick. Well. - The package cars they use are approximately 370 years old. All stick.
6. Buy an Iron - You will fail out if you are not pressed & looking sharp.
7. Attire - Must be correct. Close is not good enough. Correct socks, polishable leather shoes, belt, white/brown tee shirt. Had a guy show up day one with green sneakers....
8. Groom - Shave - you no shave, you no graduate.
9. Finally, take it seriously. If you are not prepared with the above, don't waste your time, your centers time, your families time. You can't squeak thru. Be ready and it is still hard. Not prepared, you will fail.
There is not a spare minute given in the day for anything. There is no coffee allowed in the rooms, and if you are a smoker, you are gonna be a hurting puppy - I smoke, but there was just never time to get one in.
I found very little information with regards to what to expect with this course, all the way from it is boot camp, to it is easy, to it is impossible, the entire gamut. The general concensus was that it was regimented, strict, and similar to boot camp.
I went down with thje attitude that I believed it was serious, I believed it was crucial, but how hard could it possibly be? How can you fill 5 full days with instruction on this? I began my attendance intending to get a perfect score, be the first to take the tests, come back with the best score ever, etc.
By Weds, I was simply praying that I would pass the course at all. It is exceptionally intense. Every minute of your day is planned out. If you are not serious, you will not pass. Our class of 20 had 4 students that did not finish. The week before, less than 1/2 the class went home as graduates.
Here would be my personal suggestions if you plan to attend INTEGRAD to become a driver;
1. Become a Saturday Air driver first - the experience with the vehicle and DIAD are invaluable
2. Know the 5 Seeing Habits - Know them word for word, forward & backwards, by number, completely - be comfortable reciting them.
3. Know the 10 Point Commentary - Not word for word, necessarily, but know them & what they mean
4. Be familiar with the DIAD - I could not imagine passing if you had not already experienced using it.
5. Know how to drive stick. Well. - The package cars they use are approximately 370 years old. All stick.
6. Buy an Iron - You will fail out if you are not pressed & looking sharp.
7. Attire - Must be correct. Close is not good enough. Correct socks, polishable leather shoes, belt, white/brown tee shirt. Had a guy show up day one with green sneakers....
8. Groom - Shave - you no shave, you no graduate.
9. Finally, take it seriously. If you are not prepared with the above, don't waste your time, your centers time, your families time. You can't squeak thru. Be ready and it is still hard. Not prepared, you will fail.
There is not a spare minute given in the day for anything. There is no coffee allowed in the rooms, and if you are a smoker, you are gonna be a hurting puppy - I smoke, but there was just never time to get one in.