How many orientations did you go to at the beginning?

They have 10 speeds. I trained on a 13 speed. My orientation was rushed from the start. We were supposed to start on a Monday, but Memorial Day weekend messed that up. So, we started on a Tuesday. Filled out TONS of paperwork, then did a pee test there, then went to have our physicals to get our medical cards which required another pee test. We then went to Tuscaloosa to do our physical fitness tests which required lifting a tarp the way they want you to lift it, checking your heart rate and such. By the time we were done with all this, it was already 5, so we were sent to the hotel for the night. Next day(Wednesday), we fill out even more paper work that morning, then mid morning, we go outside and are shown how to fold and unfold a tarp. Got hot very quick..lol Then went to lunch. After lunch, we went to the simulator to train some. Only one person had done his time in it when we were told to go take our road test. Keep in mind, we haven't been told anything about these trucks yet. First guy goes out and comes back about 10 minutes later. Second guy goes out and is driven back by the tester. Same with me. The road test itself was actually easy. Just go down the road to the interstate, turn around at the gas station, then drive back. But, like I said, I wasn't told what type of gears it had or the pattern. I was also not told until afterwards that they want you to start in 2nd gear instead of 1st in these trucks. I was able to get out of the yard and into 3rd (I think it was) but couldn't get any other gears. Now I will say our original teacher was doing what he could but he was new to teaching there as it is. When we got back to the hotel, the 4 of us were talking about it and the 2 of us that got driven back knew we were gonna be cut, but it turned out that 3 of us did. The first guy didn't get cut, but I found out later that the only reason he passed was he coasted down the road alot instead of gearing down to slow himself. The only reason I was even looking at flatbedding was that it paid more. I didn't realize though just how much physical work it is to do it. So, it's probably a good thing I'm not there. I know I would have gotten the shifting down if I could have practiced but now I guess it doesn't matter..

 

Don't mind the questions. The tarps weigh approx. 110 pounds. They never said what percentage pass. If you are in good physical shape(and have some muscle) and can deal with tarps and the heat since you are used to a 10 speed, you shouldn't have any major problems. Forgot to say also, they give you 5 bucks each day for lunch which comes outta your orientation pay. The hotel I stayed at did not offer breakfast but there's a restaurant built onto it and all the rooms had micro-fridges and there's a walmart nearby.

 

Nope, not Boyd Brothers. The trucks are red.

I drove since I only live about 100 miles from there. I stayed at a best western. It was your average cheap hotel room. But everything worked and they offered free wireless. Our teacher told us that they had just bought 100 new trucks about a week ago and were still in the process of installing things in them. The first 2 weeks are in class rooms and on the range. Then 4 weeks out on the road with a trainer. Then your final week back in the class room before you are sent out on your own.