Orientation 6/24/13

Discussion in 'Melton' started by RayT70, Jun 19, 2013.

  1. White Dog

    White Dog Road Train Member

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    If he has only been off for a week or two, and he has flatbed experience, and they consider 6 months "experienced", he should not have to go with a trainer.

    Do you know what Melton's plans are RayT70?
     
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  3. RayT70

    RayT70 Road Train Member

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    Well, I checked with the recruiter. I guess I'll be taking the bus after all. For some reason I was thinking they had a terminal in Denver, but I guess not. The bus leaves 2000 Sat and arrives 1300 Sun. Leave it to Greyhound to turn a 10 hour trip into a 17 hour trip. I'll be pretty strung out I guess, but from what I hear it's a nice hotel, so I should be 100% again for Monday. I remember Swift put me up with all these section 8 people in The Hotel California with 5 roommates, so I guess it's a step up. Supposedly I'll have just one roommate which isn't bad.

    White Dog, as far as I know I will not be training with somebody. Noggin, I'm reduced to just one 50 lb bag and one small carry on, so I don't think I'll be bringing too much. I'm wondering how on earth I'm going to be able to bring enough to last me a month or two before I get home time. My sleeping bag alone takes up all my space. Maybe I can pay for extra baggage. I guess I'll be buying all my safety equipment from Melton again. Bummer, oh well, it is what it is.

    On the brighter side I found a local truck stop that is willing to let me park for up to a week for free, so home time will not be a problem. I called my HOA to see if they'd allow me to park in my drive for 3-5 days a month. They told me they have to call the president LOL! :biggrin_2559: The truth is I'm just glad to be getting back in the game again, cheers.
     
    Last edited: Jun 20, 2013
  4. Noggin

    Noggin Road Train Member

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    A weeks worth of clothes will last..that's why I have a couple shirts and lants strictlly for working, then change into normal clothes...then you can wear a shirt more than once, etc. Melton knows you can't bring everything with you atvthe start so they will get you home as soon as possible. You can flag for home within the first week.

    You should be able to fit a safety vest in your bag...and just wear your hard hat! :biggrin_2559::biggrin_25526:
     
  5. RayT70

    RayT70 Road Train Member

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    It's good to know that home time can be requested so early. I talked with Greyhound and for $15.00 they'll let me take 2 suitcases, so I should be alright with that. I may wear the reflective vest as it will be dark out, but I'm not wearing that hard hat the whole way over :biggrin_25512: Funny joke though.
     
  6. Noggin

    Noggin Road Train Member

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    You've never been on a greyhound then....

    Lol
     
  7. RayT70

    RayT70 Road Train Member

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    Actually I have :biggrin_2552:
     
  8. Noggin

    Noggin Road Train Member

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    I've beefrom Houston to Sacramento 6 Times. I wish i had a hard hat on those trips
     
  9. RayT70

    RayT70 Road Train Member

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    I get where you're coming from. I've experienced drug busts and potentially violent situations on them. If the bus is full and everybody is forced to sit next to somebody else things get dicey. I hope it's not like that the whole way over.
     
  10. RayT70

    RayT70 Road Train Member

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    I arrived yesterday at about 1400. The greyhound bus ride was fairly uneventful by comparison. A broken tail light caused an hour delay. A sewer back up caused the bus to stink something awful, but I guess the driver took care of it when we pulled over. Aside from the occasional tantrum the passengers were mostly well behaved. I was fortunate enough to have both seats to myself despite the bus being crowded which I was happy about. My luggage made it here OK, and we were only about a half hour late. All in all it was one of the better bus rides I've had. I was actually able to get some sleep due to the extra space, so it didn't seem as long.

    Day 1, today we did paperwork, physicals, and road tests. Out of 17 we lost 3 including my cool roommate. 1 failed the balance test. 1 needs the bottle for his prescription medication. 1 had blood in his urine. The paperwork was pretty standard stuff. I'm not sure why they had us fill out another application when I did it all online already. At one point the instructor left the room while a 5 minute video played on loop feedback over and over for what seemed like an hour. I guess we were supposed to do the paperwork or something. The road test was easy. The instructor was real cool. It was the first time I had ever driven a Kenworth, or a 10 speed for that matter, but he was primarily concerned with safety. I made sure I was aware of my surroundings at all times and passed easy. There were 5 of us in the truck and we all passed. It's always nice when that happens.

    The only real basis for comparison I have is Swift, and I have to say so far Melton's orientation has them beat in every way I can think of. The hotel room is nice. We have only one roommate. They provide shuttle service to Walmart and restaurants. They provide sack breakfasts and lunches, and discounts at the hotel restaurant. On top of it all they pay $500.00 to be here. Swift does none of these things. It's premature at this point, but I'm starting to think that Melton is a good choice.
     
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  11. Noggin

    Noggin Road Train Member

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    They want an application in your handwriting. :)

    And I wouldnt say it's premature. I've never been to Swift's training, or anyone else for that matter except PAM, but I believe Melton takes care of their drivers enough to have one of the better orientations around :)
     
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