Well, day one down; Morning of day two. I could have had a better start yesterday but all in all not bad (more explanation later). Greg is awesome - funny DSDB. We've got 10/13 in our class (three did not show - thankfully) and they're brining another trainer down from WI to split up the driving portions of the class so we can fit the max per truck on the weeks ahead.

Got to round up the troops and drive the shuttle now. Best of luck Crazyindian.
Bear - you are something else; even I saw the atlas on e-bay for as much as $120 w/o shipping included and was like, WHAT?! Best deal I could find was on Amazon... but I ended up getting mine at the T/a for $31.09 (Deluxe lamainate edition) with tax. Sweet deal.

Happy Trails

P.s.
this post makes my 50th!! Two stars??

Days two videos and logging. Done. Day three was a half day for our class (not typical); split the class in half and my group was the afternoon... the morning class just about caused Greg to come 'unglued'. Our day was spent shifting - Millis 500. We started in the Freightliner and after the four of us rotated in and out of the wheel holder seat another guy who already has his CDL and I were told to pair up for the Kenworth T2000 and switch out (aperrently we didn't need as much practice as the other guys). Took me about an hour or so to figure out downshifting at the right road speed, but I was better than ok by 4:30. Upshifting, aside from double clutching, came naturally - the whole day I only 'floated the gear' once.

Day four today. More 'star wars' videos. hehe... thoes that have been in class know what I'm talking about. Tomorrow, hopefully, we'll be in two trucks with the other trainer and on the highway bobtailing.

Personally, this course isn't the most expensive, but it's deffinately expideted. Three weeks for what normally takes four to eight depending on where you attend... but they do a fantastic job at making sure you understand before proceeding. I think this may be the best jump into a new career I've made in years, maybe a decade.

Glad it's going well. Told you about Greg! He's great. Well until you force a gear - he'll go crazy. Tell him David Barill said hello!

Hopefully I'll get down that way and stop in.

Keep posting on your progress!

Originally Posted by 338-Dark-Knights

Days two videos and logging. Done. Day three was a half day for our class (not typical); split the class in half and my group was the afternoon... the morning class just about caused Greg to come 'unglued'. Our day was spent shifting - Millis 500. We started in the Freightliner and after the four of us rotated in and out of the wheel holder seat another guy who already has his CDL and I were told to pair up for the Kenworth T2000 and switch out (aperrently we didn't need as much practice as the other guys). Took me about an hour or so to figure out downshifting at the right road speed, but I was better than ok by 4:30. Upshifting, aside from double clutching, came naturally - the whole day I only 'floated the gear' once.

Day four today. More 'star wars' videos. hehe... thoes that have been in class know what I'm talking about. Tomorrow, hopefully, we'll be in two trucks with the other trainer and on the highway bobtailing.

Personally, this course isn't the most expensive, but it's deffinately expideted. Three weeks for what normally takes four to eight depending on where you attend... but they do a fantastic job at making sure you understand before proceeding. I think this may be the best jump into a new career I've made in years, maybe a decade.

Originally Posted by Baritone

Glad it's going well. Told you about Greg! He's great. Well until you force a gear - he'll go crazy. Tell him David Barill said hello!

Hopefully I'll get down that way and stop in.

Keep posting on your progress!

Already mentioned you David.. Greg is quite proud that you're getting it done out there. I've also mentioned a few of your tips - like the bulkhead check if you're bulkhead is already set and you've been loaded.. great stuff - thanks again. I've been keeping an eye out for your numbers everyday on a burgandy truck; hope to see you! Happy Trails guy.

Well, as trucking goes - so did yesterday's plans. We talked all day about pre-trip and uncuppling/cuppling and bulkheads/loads. Today we're going over pre-trip on the trucks visually in the yard. Should be a fun day! We also meet our other trainer yesterday - forget his name, but he's seems very nice and experienced. We also dropped a class member yesterday. I feel bad for the guy - he really wanted to make a fresh start. Next week we're (fingers crossed) splitting the class into two groups. One group is staying for manuvers and backing and the other is going on the highway. I'll chose the first if at all possible.

The past couple of days I've been having a bit of pain in my lower back and yesterday it was raidating (sp) from my back into my chest so bad I told Greg I'd want to go to the hospital. I've been taking some Azo for the past couple of days now; this morning it seems to be doing better - I really don't want to miss a day. My brother checked in to a local hospital just two days before classes started with nemonia (sp) and he's at home now with anti-biotiocs (sp) and feeling better. My symptoms are similar to his and I've never had it before so... I hope not? I'll guage today and see if I have to check-in after class. Most likely I'll not post again till after class on Monday with an update.

We also dropped a class member yesterday. I feel bad for the guy - he really wanted to make a fresh start.


Can I ask what he got dropped for?

Originally Posted by 338-Dark-Knights

I didn't pay for the drug test - Yes it's done at orientation. I paid for the dip test (glucose levels & etc.) And yes the hotel comes out to $10 extra a week, but I'm not sure if you have an option of bunking with another person or not so that may or may not double the time to pay back the advance for lodging.. $59 a night vs. 1/2 for two to share the room, but I believe it still comes out $10/week reguardless.

I live about an hour away from Trenton, where I went to class. To me it was worth it to drive every day. I saved the hotel bill from coming out of my check, I slept in my own bed every night. Not knocking anybody, the guys I was in class with are top notch guys, but I'm 48 and wasn't willing to share a room for 5 weeks. Yea you pay for the gas and the traffic was a pain at times, but still worth it for me.

I have another question for Millis drivers.
Do they use paper or paperless logs?