MAINTENANCE MATTERS
Louisville National Training Center opens to operators; regional training sessions gather steam

Operators looking to boost their technicians' skills now have a great new option from MCI: the MCI National Training Center, opened this month in Louisville. Although the first classes have been completed, operators will get another chance at the hands-on Technical Tune-Up session September 25-28.  MCI will also offer Regional Training seminars in Winnipeg June 5-7 and in Lebanon June 12-14.

MCI anticipates using the new Louisville center, first open to the public as part of the April 16 "Grand Tour" open house, to promote an aggressive and flexible schedule of MCI PRO Support classes for motor coach operators and their technicians. Contained within MCI's vast Louisville Distribution Center, the 10,839-square-foot National Training Center includes four state-of-the-art wired classrooms, a lounge and a coach-driving simulator room. Two of the classrooms can be combined into a banquet space, and a 420-square-foot commissary can be used to stage foods and beverages. The lounge includes a private office area in which students can meet with fleet support specialists or conduct necessary business, with access to computers, wireless Internet and phones.

Simulating experiences
Derrick Anderson, MCI director of operations at the facility, had much to do with the physical creation of the center. He considers the simulator room to be its crown jewel. "It's going to be an entertaining as well as educational space," says Anderson, describing a separate room in which spectators get to watch simulator drivers go through their paces from behind a glass partition. "Probably 10 to 15 people can watch comfortably."

Anderson notes that the glass partition has a practical advantage as well — drivers won't be distracted by their peers as they experience curvy mountain passes, oblivious pedestrians, snow storms, blown tires and other virtual challenges.

Kevin Jones, MCI's director of training, recalls the first national session. "We had 14 or 15 technical modules over the course of three and a half days, and six coaches for students to work on."

The Technical Tune-Up also included demonstrations by key vendors, including engine manufacturers, as well as seminars led by key engineering staff — the new 2007 EPA-compliant engines are was a popular point of conversation. Students learned troubleshooting and diagnostics on all MCI models. Systems covered include ZF and Allison transmissions; brakes; wheelchair lifts; multiplexing; advanced MCI and I/O electrical; and vehicle dynamics. Says Jones, "Our goal for 2008 is to utilize the National Training Center to its fullest potential."

Training close to home
Jones opened the National Training Center classes hot on the heels of a very successful Regional Training Seminar in Blackwood, New Jersey. That seminar, held at local trade school, is helping to set the model for future regional training. "Hosting training at a trade school exposes future technicians to our industry," says Jones. "Our customer technicians enjoyed their roles as mentors to the students, and everyone benefited from the hands-on approach to learning. With all the advances in motor coach technology, there's no substitute for having skilled tradespeople in that environment. It produces big knowledge jumps."

Those seeking more information on MCI technical training should visit www.mcicoach.com or contact an MCI fleet support manager.

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