Starting at Magnum 10/8/2012

What a crazy few months this has been. Deciding to leave my job, go to school, find a job and get started.

So, as I take a break from packing (and how do you pack 1 duffel bag to get you through 4 weeks of training knowing you'll be starting in the snow of Fargo and shortly be in TX, NC or GA?), I thought I'd start a thread.

I seriously doubt it will be the novella that ScooterDawg wrote a few years back (actually, I can probably guarantee it) and there is probably nothing that I can really add that isn't in a hundred other threads already. But maybe, somewhere along the way, I can think of something to say that might be helpful to someone else.

The one thought that occurred to me this week as I've been scrambling to get things done before I leave is how strange the transition from school to work will be. After a week of classroom I spent 4 weeks in the truck, mornings in the yard and afternoons on the road but the longest I've been behind the wheel at one time was the 90 minutes I drove to go take my driving test. That will soon change.

 

Sitting at O'Hare, waiting on a plane, seemingly talking to myself.

 

Did you know that it is flat in Fargo? It appears to be rather windy, too.

 

I guess my thread isn't attracting much interest.

First day of orientation went well. Breezed through my road test (and it sure was nice to get behind the wheel of a truck again!) but did learn there is a lot of difference between an old Freightliner and a Peterbilt.

Really enjoyed meeting a number of the employees today and was very impressed by the family atmosphere that exists. I did get to meet another member here who was in the office for a few minutes but wished we would have had more time to talk. Also got to go out to dinner with my trainer and had a real nice talk about how he wants our time together to go.

I'll be back tomorrow to talk to myself again.

 

Actually, he didn't.

You going to be around tomorrow?

 

And, I don't think he called it cheating the e-log. I believe his term was intelligent trip planning.

 

Another good day. Had talks on safety, defensive driving, HOS and e-logs. Found out I leave Friday with my first load for east of San Antonio and then load in San Antonio for a trip up to southern NJ. Two nice trips to start my career, I'm really looking forward to it. I'll even get a chance to eat some of my favorite BBQ at Clem Mikeska's in Temple, TX!

 

Finished orientation today and worked with my trainer getting the truck ready. We did get another 2 short loads added to our schedule so we will now be leaving tomorrow afternoon.

Tomorrow, I just need to get some groceries, put my stuff in the truck and hopefully have time to do a quick load of laundry.

And then, at 2:00, I pick up my first load.