Coming to orientation Aug 13th...

Discussion in 'Watkins & Shepard' started by SpiritWolf, Jul 23, 2012.

  1. sherlock510

    sherlock510 Road Train Member

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    Jul 26, 2011
    Intercontinental.
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    Just sent in an app a week ago, Kristi called me back today and went over everything (most of it I knew already from browsing the forums).
    Hopefully everything goes well and I can start orientation on the 27th.

    Filled out other apps with other companies that I wont name lol, but overall I think W & S would be a great fit for me.

    About the plane issue, she said that if you sent them a copy of the receipt for the plane ticket then they'll have your reimbursement waiting for you when you arrive.
     
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  3. Becker44

    Becker44 Bobtail Member

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    Sep 24, 2009
    Missoula, Montana
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    Good luck tomorrow Spirit. Be sure to let us know!
     
  4. SpiritWolf

    SpiritWolf Light Load Member

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    Jul 10, 2012
    North Highlands CA
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    I got it!!!....passed with flying colors.. But almost didn't... through no fault of my own.

    The "Saga"......
    Got to the DMV at 6:50am... my appointment was at 7:30, but I wanted to make sure I missed traffic.
    My schools lead instructor pulled in with a truck and trailer (we shall henceforth call them #1) at 7:10am.
    I signed in, and got ready for the testing. 7:40am, walking out to truck #1 with the DMV examiner..
    Start with airbrakes and in cab testing.. "I" passed, without a problem.. but the truck was questionable.. it lost a bit much on the applied airbrakes test.. 6 PSI... so... The examiner lets me complete the skills tests... I pass... He then asks me to re-test the truck... @#$%@... the truck fails miserably. this time by loosing 12 PSI... Jump out, check the glad hands... they are leaking... I tried every trick I have ever heard of, but could not stop the leak. The rubbers were flat to worn out. So... I can't use the truck for the road testing... The schools Instructor calls frantically for the back up truck to come over, but by the time it arrives, I had lost my place in the line up for testing.... So... now I settle in for a long day of sitting around on standby... I have company, as several other students from my school have appointments.
    11:30am... My name is called...BUT... the truck is already out with another one of our students... so i again loose my place in the rotation. A hurried conference call with the school, and I am running out to get new glad hand rubbers from a local truck supply place. Race back to our school... install new rubber.. test the truck... and it passes.. So.. school sends it back to the DMV.. We now have truck #1 and truck #2 at the DMV.. #2 is out with our students who have appointments, #1 is reserved for me, in case my name is called again... Not many people at the DMV in the afternoon, so there is still hope... 1pm.... 2pm.. not yet called.. 2:30pm, and Hey they call me! YES!!!!... runn out to Truck #1 with the DMV examiner.. I am told to run the airbrakes test again.. and.... it fails....say what? yeah... that looked like it lost 5 PSI... Stunned, I ask the examiner if I can try again, and it looses 10 PSI in the second test... Watching my chances fall in ruins, the schools lead instructor and I spend 30 minutes trying to figure out what is leaking now...
    This time its the trailer... and nothing we can fix...
    3:15pm.... the "standby" list is closed... and we are out of trucks... the only other tuck we have is already in use by the final 2 students with appointments...
    It looks like I am out of luck...
    I am now sitting at the DMV, in 108 degree heat... depressed, and completely out of options...
    I have Sundays plane ticket paid for, non-refundable....
    3:30pm.... our last student walks out of the building.... taps me on the shoulder... and tells me...
    "hey", I talked them into letting you have my slot, I will just take the test next week, because I have plenty of time"....
    (If you by chance read this.... THANK YOU AGAIN!!!!!!!!)
    SWEET!!!!!
    Bolt for the truck.... Truck #2 passes the airbrakes test and I head out for the road test, with my nervs completely shot... I lost a few points.... all in the 1st minute until I got myself calmed down and relaxed...
    30 minutes later, I am pulling back into the DMV... A newly minted Class A driver!!!!!!!!!!

    Oh, and the student who gave up his slot? The DMV examiners (who had been watching our situation, but couldn't find a way to help) gave him the slot of a no-show, and let him use the truck that failed the airbrakes test to do his pre-trip and skills testing... and we got back in time for him to switch to to the fully functional truck, and still take his road test.... he passed too... Gotta love Karma....

    So.... Im packed and ready... I am going to enjoy a Saturday with my family, and then head for the airport Sunday morning.
    See ya Monday!
    :biggrin_25519:
     
    Last edited: Aug 12, 2012
    Puppage and Rick_C Thank this.
  5. Becker44

    Becker44 Bobtail Member

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    Sep 24, 2009
    Missoula, Montana
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    Great story and an even better outcome! Congratulations for keeping it together. This bodes well for life on the road when things don't go according to plan.

    Is it still to early to ask for a partial refund from the school for pain, suffering and mental anguish :biggrin_2552:

    See you Monday AM.

    Becker
     
  6. jet460

    jet460 Heavy Load Member

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    Oct 8, 2011
    Modesto, Ca
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    Good news.

    The company just announced a pay increase for all drivers.
    Beginning 9/1/12 all new drivers will be paid 29cpm instead of 25.
     
  7. SpiritWolf

    SpiritWolf Light Load Member

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    Jul 10, 2012
    North Highlands CA
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    Sweet! I get a raise, and I haven't even started orientation! lol
     
  8. SpiritWolf

    SpiritWolf Light Load Member

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    Jul 10, 2012
    North Highlands CA
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    Just wanted to post a quick update.
    Finished day 3 of orientation today.... so far I am very much enjoying it. This place aint for everyone, but if you thrive under pressure and really want to be part of a "family", then come here. Not entirely sure how much "insider" info I should post here, so I'm kinda censoring myself.
    I will limit myself to saying that YES...it is a firehose of information, but its not going to drown you. Just be prepared to throw yourself 100% into this. You simply wont have time for extracurricular activities.. homework, driving, practice, videos....all in a limited amount of time.. (I think I might be able to catch up on sleep tonight for the 1st time since Sunday!! remind me to post about the horrors of flying up here another time.. lol)
    But yes, it is doable.
    And strangely enjoyable...
    The 2 guys doing the training in Missoula have a sense of humor that causes the days learning to be fun and entertaining, not just work. I Wake up in the morning tired, but very eager to get back into the classroom.
    The people are friendly.
    The area is beautiful...
    I just have to say 2 bits of advice...
    #1.... come prepared to work your rear off, and you will do fine.
    #2..... If you are like me and looked at the physical requirements testing and went, "ummmm yeah, I can do that".... then spend some time exercising.. I thought I was good to go.... but the reality is I'm overweight and had been mostly a couch potato... (gotta love working at home)...
    I passed the physical testing, but my legs still hurt the next day..
    Anyway... time to go grab dinner and get some studying in before bed...
     
    jet460 and MontanaLongbow Thank this.
  9. jet460

    jet460 Heavy Load Member

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    Oct 8, 2011
    Modesto, Ca
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    'bout sums it up.
    I think I saw all of 10 minutes of tv the whole time I was there.
    PS: there is a great burrito place on Reserve St right behind Arby's called Taco Del Sol. Go there hungry.
    And Perkins restaurant right before you get to Walmart has great food too.
     
  10. ne019821

    ne019821 Light Load Member

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    Aug 8, 2011
    Shreveport, LA
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    Ask rick about the red sox hat. Lol

    Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S III using Tapatalk 2.
     
    AXE Thanks this.
  11. MontanaLongbow

    MontanaLongbow Bobtail Member

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    Jul 3, 2012
    Billings, Montana
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    Thanks for the update. Sounds like things are going well. I am looking forward to reading more. and I want to hear about your flight.
    Best of luck.
     
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