Journey Of A Thousand Roads

Hey Quest,

I just got out of the Call Center Industry (haven't worked nearly as long as you - but I also worked for Health Insurance and dealt with member complaints). I know how hard that job was and I am now just getting to experience how this will be.

If you come knowing that not everyday is going to be a walk in the park, but will be a challenge - then you are better prepared than some of these folks that come in. Patience is definitely a virtue as I have experienced first hand in just this last week alone. You will get frustrated at paper pushers and you will find some things very annoying. Just remember that if you let it get to you, then you might as well refuse the keys before they hand it to you.

Anyway, I wish you the best of luck. My advice for the orientation as you come in. PAPERWORK NEEDS TO BE CLEARED BEFORE YOU COME. Everything, and I mean everything, should be quaddruple checked before getting on that bus/plane/whatever you decide to come in on. Too many people has been sent home over the smallest thing. The guy I rode on the greyhound with from St. Louis was sent home yesterday because he could not get one of his doctors to sign off on him from a back injury last year. He waited until that week to start doing the process. Get EVERYTHING cleared.

Also - I didn't have much choice in the matter - but get your permit before arriving. You'll be able to get much more of the stuff out of the way (Simulators, Various classes, etc.) It opens up your opportunity to get a trainer a lot of times before the others.

Finally - Be respectful and honest at all times. I got placed with a great trainer because Terri, the woman who has been helping set up all the trainers and students, stated to me that she found me to be one of the most respectful in the class. All I did was use my manners such as "Thank you, Yes Ma'am, Please, etc."

If you're also honest and you have a blemished background, it will help you out. If you don't tell them EVERYTHING when it comes time to submit that paper application and when you did that online application - then you might as well board the bus and go home.

Oh...one last thing....learn the differences between a Freightliner, Kenworth, and a Peterbilt. It'll help you out when you see all the different trucks on the lot at the main terminal.

 

congrats and looking forward to reading about your journey here

 

Well for starters you have the right attitude, and it seems that you already realize that trucking is not a vacation, and its not a job, its a life style. Hope its all you expected, and your ready to roll with the punches....... Welcome aboard and hope to see you out here.

 

Again congrats on bein accepted! One step down, a few more to go.

 

Good luck, I think you'll like the choice you made...

 

::record-scratching noise::

Wait. A truck driver is "the lowest human life form on the planet"?

Really?

Out of all the kinds of people that live on Earth, you think truck drivers are at the bottom?

Really?

...

 

I kind of thought that was politicians

 

Considering the pay and abuse BFI's give drivers I'd say the carriers hiring CDL mill graduates feel that way toward them .