Newbies: At what point did you know, for sure, that you had a job?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by JustSonny, Apr 22, 2010.

  1. JustSonny

    JustSonny Big Dummy

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    Skepticism, paranoia and uncertainty seem to pervade many threads about schools, training, early months on the road, etc. At what point did you newbies really believe that you had a job and that you were likely to succeed? Maybe it was an event. If so, what happened?
     
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  3. wildbill123

    wildbill123 Heavy Load Member

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    Road Test after training.
     
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  4. Palazon

    Palazon Road Train Member

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    When I actually found the Swift terminal. While waiting for orientaion, I watched some guys backing and fueling. I knew immeadiately that I was better.....

    Just kidding:biggrin_255::biggrin_255: (well, mostly kidding, as Wifey points out)
     
    Last edited: Apr 22, 2010
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  5. 48Packard

    48Packard Ol' Two-stop Shag!

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    Eleven years, and I'm still waiting!:biggrin_2552:
     
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  6. musicgal

    musicgal Road Train Member

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    Two and a half days plus 5 hours of orientation and then being told "You're going back to the motel and coming back in the morning". Then coming back in the morning and waiting, signing, and finally being told after 3 1/2 hours "Here's your stuff. Call your Training Coordinator and let him know you're ready to go."

    And now I'm waiting for a Trainer....LOL
     
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  7. road dust

    road dust Road Train Member

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    The 3rd day of orientation when I got my drivers code.
     
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  8. andrew5184

    andrew5184 Light Load Member

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    Good question, Oldnewbie. I'll be curious to see what others have to say on this topic. When did you have your ah ha moment. I'm sure it's different for everyone, but perhaps there are some common themes.
     
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  9. CAGEtrucker

    CAGEtrucker Road Train Member

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    THIS is a great question, I have been wondering the same thing. Should I get my CDL and go to orientation or go to the companies school from reading on here and actually talking to a few guys from the board it appears you have a bit of an edge going to the companies training.
     
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  10. JustSonny

    JustSonny Big Dummy

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    My original plan was to go to a community college near my home, then apply to carriers that hire in my area. The summer schedule at the CCs I was looking at didn't fit my plan, i.e., getting school completed this summer. I decided to look into carriers with in-house schools as a path of least resistance to having a job once I finished school. I'm working on getting into Swift's Millington Academy sometime in late May or early June. I think that if I do well in their school I might have a leg up getting a permanent (?) driving job with them. From what I've read, it's almost a given that if you successfully complete their school, you progress into their OTR training program.
     
  11. Warpdrvr

    Warpdrvr Heavy Load Member

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    On the last day of the 10 day orientation when they had us fill out payroll stuff and we got the keys to our "new" truck....
     
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