Orientation in Conover on Aug 13

**IAMRollin** · 08.07.2012

Hi Folks,

To whomever is listening, especially if you'll also be there.
Send me an email to ws@x-sm.net. I am too much of a
lurker to pm.

I passed my CDL today, feels good just to have that one
hoop taken care of, and I am awaiting my email with the
details and my bus ticket to Conover, NC.

I am happy to say that I'll be joining the W/S team, assuming
I survive orientation

. I, in part, picked W/S for its
orientation, so I am very much looking forward to it,

.

To those with the experience, are there anythings you suggest
I have for orientation that won't be on the official checklist?
Or, for that matter, for once I start driving for W/S?

I know AT swears by a GPS unit, but I can't stand those things.
I don't like them talking at me, and they're screens are too
small for my tastes. In it's place I am looking to get CoPilot Truck
and a GPS receiver for my laptop. Any other similar should haves
will be greatly appreciated, like for example, is there an absolute
minimum set of tools you should have?

Much appreciated, and excited at the opportunity to learn this
business with W/S. Making sure I really know how to shift up and
down scary hills sounds great, albeit a challenge. School only
had us on little ones with an empty trailer, and even that was
a different enough experience to bobtailing it.

In Gratitude and Excitement, (Did I say I was excited yet?!

)

**2021DREAM** · 08.07.2012

Congratulations! and very good luck to your future!

**hup** · 08.07.2012

I forget whats on that list, but I think its pretty solid.

I could suggest:
-one of those fancy plastic-coated commercial atlas' are nice to have. you can get them cheaper at truckstops then online, btw. strange, huh?

-a 5th wheel puller might be nice to have too.. especially during the wet/dirty months.

I like to have a 2lb sledge hammer for tire thumping, but you may prefer to use something else..

**wareagle2011** · 08.08.2012

I too will be there on the 13th,I just recieved my confirmation email with a list of items to bring with me.I will b arriving at hotel via greyhound around 7:00 pm on the 12th. c u there.
trevor

**IAMRollin** · 08.08.2012

Originally Posted by wareagle2011

I too will be there on the 13th,I just recieved my confirmation email with a list of items to bring with me.I will b arriving at hotel via greyhound around 7:00 pm on the 12th. c u there.
trevor

Cool! I am looking forward to meeting you WarEagle. Until then.

**pawnature** · 08.10.2012

I will be there on the 13th also. Will probably be the only Grandpa there. Hiring on as an experienced driver.

**IAMRollin** · 08.11.2012

Originally Posted by pawnature

I will be there on the 13th also. Will probably be the only Grandpa there. Hiring on as an experienced driver.

That's great Pawnature. I'll see you there, but probably only briefly. I think you experienced drivers only get 3/4
days of orientation, and then they send you out. I look forward to meeting you.

**pawnature** · 08.24.2012

Originally Posted by IAMRollin

That's great Pawnature. I'll see you there, but probably only briefly. I think you experienced drivers only get 3/4
days of orientation, and then they send you out. I look forward to meeting you.

Hope everything is going well for you. I have decided that WS is not the place for me. Good luck

**IAMRollin** · 08.27.2012

Originally Posted by pawnature

Hope everything is going well for you. I have decided that WS is not the place for me. Good luck

Well, my skills decided W/S wasn't the place for me either. I may be back some day depending on how happy I end up elsewhere. I overthink, and had too much brain freeze. School was in day cabs with empty 48' trailers, and my brain was like 53' loaded with a sleeper is a whole different experience.

My main problem is I overthink everything. The orientation is great!, and if you're a newb with good skills and like to be self responsible, I'd highly recommend W/S to you.

Now to find a place with a little more training, so I can begin to really learn to drive. W/S had me realize that what little I thought I learned in school was mostly wrong. It was good to learn it though, and I am eager to get in a truck and keep learning.

I hope you find someplace that suits you pawnature. God Bless!