Ok, sorry all, my son had hockey tryouts and that took away from my posting time. I realize that this isn't supposed to be a "school" thread, but bear with me if you can, I will get info on ATS once i'm with a trainer. For now most of the ATS training has been repeats from school, log books time management, money management etc.. I passed my hazmat test last week, need to get the background check done on Tuesday. ATS pays for it, yeah you need it. Not because of what you haul, but more from where you haul. I'll try to keep the posts more spaced out for now, not much happening day to day, just driving, driving, driving. Everyday it is reinforced that the REAL learning begins later!!

Hey all, today I passed the CDL test! I am glad that is over. It really wasn't that hard, but I really needed to get it over. I was worrying myself for a few days. I now have 4 days of training left and then out with a trainer. I may leave right away, maybe in a few days. Its hard to know because ATS doesn't have any Mn trainers so it will depend on routing etc.. I should be able to give you some info on the training part of ATS within two weeks tops. Thanks for your patience. Time to go edit my profile, no more "student" handle for me!

Pathfinder

Your info is helpful. Thanks for keeping us up to date about your progress.

__________________
When the chips are down the buffalo is empty.

hey pathfinder, how's your training going ? i got my cdl from sctc as well.started solo w/ATS in July. i gotta say the hardest part of this job so far was getting through five wks of training. that is a looong time to be w/ somebody you hardly know and may not even like. stick it out, its worth it in the end. i'm on the Granite Fleet out of Cold Spring and i love it!

Glad to hear your loving it Venison! Its also nice to hear you are already on the granite fleet. Is that the dedicated fleet? To all of you waiting for some actual info. on ATS(Anderson), thanks for your patience. I found out today that i'll be leaving tomorrow or Sat. morning with my trainer. Sounds like our first load is going to go to Georgia. My trainer is from NC so i'm not sure how he'll want to do Thanksgiving. I know i'll be on the road!lol No big deal, been expecting it for a while. Had a day of procurement class today, very informative, at least for a new driver. Although there were several experienced drivers who were new to Anderson, and they said that it was informative. I got to talk to one o/o, he had many years of flatbedding and had hauled a lot of the OD type stuff. He came to Anderson because he had several friends that were happy. They told him that the Anderson orientation was the most detailed and thorough they had been through, and that he would learn something. So I asked him if he agreed, now that he was done, he said it was very good, and he at least had had his memory jogged. Hope this finally gives you all some info.. I'll try to keep up every day or so, as long as Verizons stuff works i'll be good! Take care all and i'll see you out there(finally) soon!

Well I met Jeff my trainer in St. Cloud on Saturday morning and we finally hit the road around noon. We had to wait for his last trainee to pick up his new truck and then drive us out to get Jeff's from the shop. Nothing really eventful on the first day, just heading toward Atlanta. So far we seem to be leaving late each morning, not sure if this will be normal or not. I drove for only part of the afternoon and night on Sunday. I was wiped out, and should never have had those truckstop hot dogs! I know better than that. So Jeff drove through the mountains that night. I paid as much attention and asked as many questions as I could, but I know there's nothing like experiance. Today we had several stops around Atlanta. Then one in downtown. OK, that sucked! terrrible directions, the contact wasn't very sure of the streets and he was from somewhere in Eurpe. Jeff had a hard time understanding him, and the guy was pretty excited. He wanted the load early( we weren't sched. to deliver until Tues am) but he wasn't very prepared. His skid steer could BARELY lift the pallets. Then the cops showed up and told the guy that we had to clear the street NOW, or he would get arrested. So that really calmed the guy down. Jeff had to drive around the block until the guys crew was able to stop traffic and clear out a parking lot for us to back into. I won't lie, I was VERY glad I wasn't behind the wheel. That came earlier, while trying to find the place. And I really did a lowsy job! Almost took out two poles. Man, I felt like I had never been behind the wheel of a truck! Oh that reminds me, I now have to learn how to float the gears. It will be a good thing, but right now I really do feel like its day 1 of school again. As of this moment I feel like this may have been a mistake. Hoping for a better few days, and soon. Right now we are sitting in Elberton waiting to find out if Jeff will get a load that brings him close to his house for a few days, or if he just gets to go home. He has been out with trainee's now for over a month. I'll have to wait to see if I get a hotel or a truck stop. Will let you know. That's all for now folks, be safe!

Hey PF-sounds like typical first week BS. Hang in there and in a month of so you will look back and laugh. Heck the bad stories are the ones you remember for years.

Make sure you stay away from ALL TS junkfood. You'll gain weight fast eating that garbage day-in and day-out while sitting in a driver's seat. One time you gain it, it will be a royal ##### to get it off again, especially if you keep driving.

Most truckstops don't have exercise equipment. And at some places, just getting exercise by walking around the lot will get you seven taser stings.

__________________
--Paved Dudley--

Yeah I drive a Swift truck
And that means one thing
It means she's slow
It's a typical company truck
It's just all show and no go

I'm gettin' passed by Yella
And even Overnite
I'm gettin' passed by ever' body in sight
46 days on the road
And I'm not gettin' home tonight

No, my hometown's nowhere in sight
And if you think I'm pissed off
You're right
46 days on the road
And I'm not gettin' home tonight


Love pissing off those trucking company insiders.

Hey all! Well I spent the week of Thanksgiving in a hotel thats why I haven't written, nothing to report. Monday we left NC with a load of steel trusses headed for IN. We left late due to waiting for permits. And the fact that the company didn't realize that our trailer was already loaded and waiting. They mixed up numbers or something. Anyway's, the load is OD, only because a few of the trusses are 57'. Kind of nice getting a little experience with this stuff before i'm on my own. Right now we are waiting to deliver in the morning, we couldn't today because they didn't have the crane yet. We're still waiting to hear what the next load is. The break seems to have helped me clear my head or something. The last few days have been much better. Thanks to everyone for the support, seems I had the typical first days troubles. I'll write again as soon as I have new information or details. Stay safe!

Hi all! Sitting in Biloxi waiting for news on the next load. We delivered a load of electrical panels to a new casino. So far I really can't complain about ATS. They have followed through on everything so far. I realize that this isn't a place for a "diary" in the sense of what Bronc rider and Steve and Lo have done, rather a place for info on a company. So for now I'll simply answer any questions that I can, and give you an update when I get on my own to see if things are still going good. Hope this has helped give you some idea of what to expect from ATS. So far I would have to say that they seem to be one of the few companies that have done what they said they would. They have been honest, so far, and the training seems to be good. I can't compare it to say, Schneider, but 6 weeks is a pretty long time by most standards. It's not as long as some, Prime comes to mind, but longer than those only interested in getting a body in a seat. My suggestion would be to read as much about as many as you can. Then make an informed decision, at least a MORE informed decision. Again, I'll answer any questions that I can. Stay safe and good luck.