July 14th Burleson Class - Journal

Discussion in 'Millis' started by josepholson, Jun 8, 2014.

  1. josepholson

    josepholson Light Load Member

    82
    50
    Jun 8, 2014
    Tyler, Texas
    0
    Hi Everyone. I will be attending the July 14th, Burleson Class.

    I was inspired by Steven Neill's awesome thread of the same ilk. Check it out! Hopefully, I can follow up with my own take on things. It never hurts to get a second set of eyes.

    Also, I hope other students and graduates will jump in with their own insights. I would love it if others from my class join in.

    I'm on Facebook and email -- plug in JosephLeeOlson@hotmail.com, and friend me. I'm always up for a chat about Trucking, Movies, Audiobooks, Comics, Games, etc.

    I know I have just over a month until my training begins, so until then I might talk about the application process and my experiences with recruitment, getting my permit, and general expectations and questions (where my naivity will be apparent).
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. SHOJim

    SHOJim Road Train Member

    3,399
    17,201
    Apr 19, 2011
    Columbus, Ohio
    0
    Congrats and enjoy the ride!!!!!
     
    josepholson Thanks this.
  4. josepholson

    josepholson Light Load Member

    82
    50
    Jun 8, 2014
    Tyler, Texas
    0
    I'm 44 and looking to start a new life. I've thought about trucking for years. I'm an aspiring novelist and what better way to force myself to stay at the keyboard than to coup myself up in a truck, with nothing but a laptop, every day. Plus, I've always loved driving on road trips. It's relaxing to me. I find myself at peace. I've been loading trucks for years as a forklift driver, talking to truckers every day. So why not? I'll give it a whirl.

    At first, I wanted to get my CDL at an independant school and be able to pick my company. However, I'm too scared I would shell out $4000, quit my job, be in debt, and not be able to find a good company that will hire without experience.

    So that leaves going to a company sponsored school. I researched for many months. I read forum after forum and thread after thread. Of course, at frist I was enamored with flashy websites that seemed to promise it all. But it didn't take much reading to eliminate places like CR England. Every company I was drawn to had tons of bad press on the boards. This isn't unusual. As a former World of Warcraft player and someone that frequents movie forums, I know that the internet is a magnet for disgruntled folk. Happy people don't tend to jump on and say they are happy. But Unhappy people do, and they vent their venom as some kind of therapy.

    So I would fixate on companies...Prime...Swift...etc. Every school/company has a slightly different setup. Some companies seemed great, except for some small thing. So it was hard to decide. Then, I ran across Millis. I'm under no illusion that it will be the Garden of Eden, but it does seem to have all the things I'm personally looking for. I'm married, so I'm encouraged how adament they seem to be about hometime. The pay seems to be better than most starter companies. In fact, of all the starter companies, i think Millis is the only one there is a good chance I will want to stay on after a year. I love that they have a school near where I live. Dry-Van, check. No Owner Operators, check. Bonuses, check. 2 Weeks vacation within first year, check. Good miles, check. But, the number one thing that sold me was that I can find so very little bad press. Every company has reams of it. If I dig enough I can find some pissed off drivers. Of course there are some bad comments here and there. But compared to other companies, it seems very well liked. Many Millis drivers say good things about it. So I'm on board.

    Next up -- Application and recruiter time.
     
    bmovers, hal380 and sapamil Thank this.
  5. tntim

    tntim Light Load Member

    77
    81
    Feb 26, 2014
    Smryna, TN
    0
    Good Luck.. I just arrived in Cartersville today, I start with Millis tomorrow. Steven Neill was a big part of me choosing Millis as well. I wish you the best of luck.

    Tim
     
    Rotorzilla and josepholson Thank this.
  6. josepholson

    josepholson Light Load Member

    82
    50
    Jun 8, 2014
    Tyler, Texas
    0
    Goodluck tntim. Knock em out.
     
    tntim Thanks this.
  7. josepholson

    josepholson Light Load Member

    82
    50
    Jun 8, 2014
    Tyler, Texas
    0
    I put in applications at Millis, FFE/KLLM, Swift and Prime.

    FFE/KLLM called me first. Everything seemed great. I wasn't enthused about driving reefers. For all i know, it may be the Bee's Knee's, but it just felt like extra stuff to worry about. They seem like a good place to start, but i was still thrilled when Millis called.

    Alice left a message for me two or three days after i put in an application. She said, "congratulations, you've been approved." Ah such sweet words. I called back and i talked to her a bit about a good class date. I'm trying to get my wife some dental work done before i'm off coverage for a few months, so i picked a date in July. She was understanding and accomidating. Thanks to that, i don't have to rush things. I have plenty of time to give a proper two week notice, where i'm at, get my DOT physical, and study for and get my CDL permit and endorsements. I'm still unsure if there are different 'layers' of acceptance. Do they mean only that i live in the approved area, or did they actually soft pull my records and verify my history to make sure i didn't escape from an insane asylum.

    Since then i've been accepted at Prime and Swift, but i'm still set on Millis. I've been talking to Recruiter Raychel and she's been wonderful too. I paid my $100 and nobody has told me to scram, so i figure i'm good to go. She sent me my contract for schooling, the motel agreement and various PDF files for me to fill out and bring my first day. I asked if i could stay in a hotel on only Sunday through Thursday night, since i only live two hours away. (Classes as I understand it are Mon-Fri). That should lessen my payback. I wonder if i'll get something reflecting the hotel loan and how much i owe to pay back. I hope so. I love details. They give me reassurance.

    Next up -- getting my CDL permit.
     
    Last edited: Jun 9, 2014
  8. josepholson

    josepholson Light Load Member

    82
    50
    Jun 8, 2014
    Tyler, Texas
    0
    Getting A CDL Permit in Texas is very easy.

    You need to take two Tests. A General Knowledge test and a Combinations test.

    When I first walked in the DMV to pick up my Handbook, I figured I would take the General Knowlege test just to get a feel for the kinds of questions. Well, that's a bad idea. I failed it. Barely. But I failed. I kinda figured I would but I knew I had three tries, so I wasn't worried about it.

    I went home and read through the handbook with a highlighter in hand. I read the general knowlege and Combinations sections until I felt I had them memorized.

    With a little research I figured out that the General Knowledge test ALSO covers Section 14 of the Texas handbook (Much ado about farm tractors and such).

    My next day off, I went up and passed both tests handily. I couldn't believe how easy they were after just reading the book a few times. I also took the Airbreaks endorsement test and passed it easily. Millis had told me I needed those three tests before I come to school. Gen Knowledge and Combinations (for permit), and Airbreaks.

    To take the Airbreaks test I had to pay, i think, $60 bucks and have my picture taken for my CDL. I aslo gave them a copy of my DOT physical. I had that done the day before. They give you the long form and short form (wallet card) when you get it. I was in excellent shape so they approved me for 2 years before I need it redone. They have the option of giving only one year, if you have anything questionable.

    The endorsement tests are so easy if you just read through the book and try to actually RETAIN what you read, instead of just passing your eyes over it.

    So, I went back my next day off and took my endorsement tests for Doubles/Triples, Tanker, Passanger and Bus. I know I don't need any of these, but what the heck. It doesn't hurt to have them. Plus, I hoped Millis would see I was serious about learning as much as I can. I was a boyscout and getting endorsements is kinda like getting merit badges. =-)

    I faxed Raychel my CDL permit, DOT physical, and proof of completion for my endorsements. I also faxed a copy of my Passport. I don't know if Millis requires one, but again, why wouldn't I get one. It never hurts to have it.

    The women at the DMV said I can't take my HAZMAT test until after the driving portion of my test. So I'll hold off on that one.

    When I first got my permit, it had an expiration date at the top in a bigger font. It expired in a month!!! Oh no, I thought, it won't be good when I leave. But upon closer inspection, it was only for the paper one. When I get my plastic one in the mail I think it will be good for a year.

    My only concern now -- If I took all my endorsement tests at a different location than I will take my driving and pre-trip tests, will they show up in the computer at that time. Or will I have to retake them all? It's probably in the system. Like I said, I'm detail oriented.

    I suppose there's nothing more I can do before I leave. I will go over pre-trip in the handbook and watch youtube videos until I leave. I'm a little worried about shifting and backing, but then, who isn't before they do it?
     
  9. josepholson

    josepholson Light Load Member

    82
    50
    Jun 8, 2014
    Tyler, Texas
    0
    Waiting is difficult. I'm biding my time, with a month to go.

    I haven't heard anything further from Millis, so I hope all is well. I'll wait a few weeks and call, just to check in and see if everything is in order.

    I've been reading the other threads to motivate me. They are wonderful, and much appreciated.

    Today, I drove out to the Pilot truck stop near me on I-20. I sat for a few hours, watching how the trucks maneuver. It's hard to glean much but it's intresting to see the angles they take around turns and backing in. All I can really tell is it must be nerve racking at times, but that is expected.

    I went inside and saw truckers waiting for their number to come up on the TV, so they could take a shower. I browsed the stuff they sell, because I wanted to see how inflated prices are at truck stops. Needless to say, I'll do as much shopping as I can when I'm on home leave.

    I was looking for a laminated road atlas, but they only have paper ones. I don't want to shell out $50 at Amazon.

    I bought some Wiley-X perscription sunglasses, with Drivewear lenses. OMG they are so clear, and the periphreal vision rocks. I love them. Best pair of sunglasses I've ever owned. I'll wear my normal prescription glasses for night driving.

    I've been putting together a wish list on Amazon of all the things I want when I go Solo. Everything from GPS to Slow Cookers, vacuum to CB radio, inverter to bluetooth headset. I'm trying to find the best brands and deals.

    For the last few months I've been downloading audiobooks, movies, TV seasons and music. I have a portable 4 TB drive filled with entertainment. I've installed about 20 games on my laptop. I've also filled my Galaxy s3 with tons of games and apps. I think i'll be well prepared for the tons of downtime i'm expecting. I assume there is a lot of 'Hurry Up and Wait' situations, and waiting for my log to clear.

    I've been reviewing pre-trip. I hope i'm not learning stuff that will someday muddle me up. Millis might have a different sequence they go by. Surely, it can't hurt to study.

    All in all, I'm getting more excited by the day. I'm trying to make my time count with my wife, but we can't spend money because I know I'll be on low, or no, pay for a few months. I plan on taking 3 weeks vacation time from my current employer when I start trucking school. That way, I will have a paycheck overlapping training. I'm sure my current job will not be thrilled at that, but hey, I earned my vacation time. It will make the transition a little easier financially, but I know I will be very poor for a few months and I hope I can pay all my bills.
     
    Last edited: Jun 15, 2014
    hal380 Thanks this.
  10. sapamil

    sapamil Medium Load Member

    419
    135
    Feb 7, 2012
    Middletown Ohio
    0
    keep updating
     
    josepholson Thanks this.
  11. josepholson

    josepholson Light Load Member

    82
    50
    Jun 8, 2014
    Tyler, Texas
    0
    I recieved my permit on 5-29-14. It was the paper one. Does anybody know, in Texas, how long it takes to get the plastic one in the mail? Should I be worried? It's been 19 days.
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.