Starting at May Trucking...

Thanks... I just mentioned elsewhere - I'm a pessimist by trade. And an optimist by nature. No matter what happens I'll be wrong!

 

Whee - that was exciting.

8 new hires scheduled to show up today, and one rehire. I'll skip the rehire - he falls outside the normal process, but he seemed like a nice enough guy for the few minutes I saw him.

So - 8 new hires, right?

no. 4 didn't show up.

Of the 4 that showed up, one just... vanished. Left the room to hit the gedunk, and never came back.

First order of business was <gasp> paperwork. Mostly filling out new applications. No biggie. While we were doing that, they orientation manager started taking us out for our driving tests.

I managed to not hit or break anything when my turn came up, but I managed to grind gears as though I was a miller. School was all KW and the like - 13 speed. My driving test was in a Pete, with a 10 speed. Messed up my shifting something fierce - kept looking for another set of channels to gear into.

At the end of the road test, we came back into the yard where they have (semi-permanently, it seems) a blind-side 45 degree back. I was in full panic mode - never done a 45 at all, much less a blind side. Stopped the truck, did the GOAL thing... was climbing back in when I noticed the orientation manger hoofing it across the lot to stand a trailer or two away from the cones. Yeah, that's good for my self-confidence.

HA! Fooled him! Just the one GOAL and I slapped that trailer in there like I actually knew what the heck I was doing. Mark your calendars, folks - it will never happen again.

Not sure if the other newbie is gonna make the cut. Apparently (hearsay) he had problems on the drive and definitely on the back. According to the driver who tested after him, the OM was muttering bad things under his breath about it. My fellow inductee suggested that a few weeks with a trainer might be of some use... so, dunno what his status is. May know tomorrow.

Lessee. Oh, yeah. We're down to three, aren't we? Since I've never had my long form, and the second testee (the one suggesting trainer time might help testee one), didn't have his, we got bundled off to the physical.

Again (a totally different clinic) the nurse used a cuff that was too small for me. I politely asked that they use the proper size... not willing, so I gotta go back to my own clinic for a form that says my BP is fine, ######, let the moron drive. This could take forever. But, at least I got a 3 month card.

Since we'd car pooled, the other inductee was waiting for me in the .. well.. waiting room. What with one thing or another, apparently he didn't pass the physical. It's one of those things that's medicable... drugable.. whatever - can be controlled with medication, like my bp. Off he goes to see his doc. See you next orientation class.

Gave my biological sample for them to fed-ex off to wherever. In spite of being harried, the tech (who is also the orientation manager. go figger) did everything right. Just in time too, I was starting to feel a bit.. pained, what with all the waiting.

The WERE gonna take us to lunch, but since the physicals took almost 3 hours, they decided to cut us loose early today. So, here I am, pounding the keyboard at home instead of falling asleep in front of the safety video.

We'll find out tomorrow morning if this is a class of one or a class of 2.

 

What they never gave it a shot to bad or is that real good any how glad to see your not one of the I JUST CAN'T DO IT guys hang in there I think your gona do just fine plus now you get more attention hehehe best of luck

 

Don't know why the no-shows. Choosing to be optimistic, I'm gonna guess that they got hired on elsewhere and didn't bother to call May. Right rude, if you ask me.

Ok- looks like the Orientation manager opted to give the other newbie a chance. Class of two, today.

I did find out why the one guy just up and vanished yesterday. He apparently doesn't like the idle policy. To be honest, I can't say I like it much either - but until they get APUs, it's not insane. It's a percentage of drive time - averaged over two weeks. The only issue, really, is getting the A/C, since all the trucks have monster electric heaters.

I've now had three different people say that they're in the process of getting APUs- but nobody has a time frame. From what I'm hearing, they're still in the research stage, and seem to be leaning more toward the all-electric systems than systems which require fuel. For all that I know I'm gonna be uncomfortable, I rather like the fact that they are being very careful about the subject and are not jumping on any bandwagon. Of course, one could wish for a little less caution and a little more A/C.

This morning, when we'd settled into the conference room, we were greeted with about half the Amazon jungle - in processed form, of course. I swear it was pretty close to a full reem of paper! Forms and booklets and tests and lions and tigers and bears, oh my!

There was the usual schwag - pens, log-rulers, etc., of course. A couple tests (which, now that I think of it, I need to finish. oops!). The one 'in-class' test was only 10 questions about a sample log - but 2 of them were trick questions. Which I fell for. Grrrr!

We watched a couple more videos (I swear, if they could find a way to make it legal and safe to do, we'd be watching videos as we drive!) and the company took us out to lunch.

A fair part of the day (not involved in the tests) was taken up with going over the company manual, making sure we understood the rules they feel we need to know about 'up front'. The manual is actually pretty well written - easy to understand, not a lot of fluff. I'm still gonna go through it cover to cover, as soon as I can find the time.

Only one dark cloud marred the perfect day. May shares a building with a number of other companies,and the conference room is on a common hallway. While we were at lunch, somebody wandered in and .. um.. acquired some of my materials..most notably my DOT book, my Hazmat reference, and my ERG. I think it was a good thing I put my briefcase (with enclosed computer) in the main office. <grumble><grumble>

Afternoon was essentially a repeat of the morning. No surprise, there!

Tomorrow, we'll spend some time out in the yard, learning which end is which on a trailer, and the basics of reefer ops. I'm headed for dry van, but the other newbie is headed to the reefers, and it makes sense for me to at least have SOME idea what not to touch with my tongue.

I've decided it's probably a good idea I'm not obsessed with 'getting miles'. I have my reasons for wanting the "Western 11", but it hadn't occurred to me that by essentially limiting my op area to that kind of geographic area, I was - in effect - restricting myself to shorter runs, on the whole. It bears thinking about. (No - not changing my mind.. just .. thinking)

There's also an unconfirmed possibility that one or both of us may have our trainers (mentors) pick us up tomorrow. Unsure as of the time we were cut loose for the day. I'd really rather wait to depart on Saturday - there's a few things I should get, and I have to wait for my wife to get paid on Friday.

Just in case, though, I packed first thing when I got home. Basically, a week's worth of clothing, my shower gear, my Darth Vader mask, a pillow and my briefcase. We were told "no coolers" etc., though. That sorta surprised me, as it seems to indicate that the drivers typically eat at restaurants - or truck stops (I draw a difference, yes).

So, now I head to dig that test out of my briefcase and get it finished.

laters, all

 

I'm thinking they probably don't want you to bring a cooler because of space. Maybe you'd get lucky enough to have a good trainer that would share his/her cooler/fridge space with you. If not, I don't think it is fair really. But, if there is no room, then there really isn't anything you can do about it.

Good Luck!

 

That, too, is a possibility. However, if that IS the case, and he's not willing to share his cooler/fridge - tough noogies. I'm gonna get one. I am NOT going to starve to keep him happy. If it's "buy food when your hungry", I'll deal with it.

 

I'm heading to May for orentation next week.
Hey larch where did you do yours?
I'm headed to Salem for mine, Taking the train, rather ride the train for five hours than sit on a bus for five hours.

I just passed my skills test today so I'm off to D.O.L in the morning to get my ticket.

And thanks Larch for filling me in on what to expect when I get there.

Be safe and keep the shinny side up!

 

Finished Orientation today. Mostly it was filling out MORE paperwork, watching a couple videos again, and - oooh, aaaaah! chaining exercise!

Actually.. the morning was all paperwork. After lunch was the video and chaining.

Also had about a one hour session with the local head honcho. Darnit, I forget his title. Everbody in the terminal and the dispatch region reports to him, so it's not Terminal Manager.. arrrgh!.

No matter. It was an hour Q&A mostly him Qing and the two of us Aing - and mostly (almost entirely) about logs. I think we scared him a bit. We were able to answer his questions correctly... mostly. We got a couple wrong, but hay, we're newbies.

We did manage to teach the Orientation Manager a new thing. I'm a big proponent of Driver's Daily Log, and the OM was of the opinion that the ONLY log allowed was the pre-printed May logs (which I like, by the way). I pointed out that the Driver's Ref Manual (May's rules) explicitly stated that computer generated logs are allowed.

He... didn't quite believe me. So we asked the head honcho. You betcha!

Lurch wins again!

They are still looking at APUs. Right now, they're leaning pretty heavily toward an all-electric system (basically, a series of gel-pack batteries that mount to the bottom of the cab. Supposedly can keep every light AND the A/C going for 10+ hours and still leave you enough juice to start the truck.

Downside? at present, they are made only for KW, and May is a Pete fleet.

We were done by 13:00, easily.

Still no real idea when trainers would be available for either of us new hires. And, didn't know if we were gonna have a hire date of today, or tomorrow. As of 15:45, the results from our biological sampling had not returned. No results from a pee test, no getting into a truck.

At about 16:00, we were calling it quits when the OM came in and let us know that the results were in, and we were officially hired.

Hot ####! I have a job!

More importantly, I have to be back at the yard tomorrow morning (30 May) to head out with my trainer.

Since I've elected the "Dry" division (western 11), of course, you know where my trainer and I are going, right? Yeah. east. Atlanta delivery, Sunday night. First trip out of the chute and it's going to be at least 3000 miles - and I don't get mile pay! Waaaaaah!

My classmate - they're not sure. They had a half dozen trainers in town that would be suitable (smoker, etc) Wednesday (yesterday), but none today or over the weekend. Maybe Monday.

One thing I will say out front, by the way. If you can get your health/life insurance elsewhere, do it. Take a look at what they offer - but odds are good you can find something better on the outside.

Learned a lot at orientation, too. Of course, that should be an ongoing process. More and more about the industry, about the way (in general) things are done, and the way (specifically) May does things.

I do, of course, have issues with some of their policies - but nothing that annoys me to the point of distraction. Yet.

All in all I could wish for only two things to change with orientation:

1) I think it could easily have been taken care of in two days. Possibly even one. But two is more reasonable - even for 5-10 new hires it could be done pretty easily.

2) For all that I live here in the area, I really wish they'd paid us for it. Sure, that's a selfish attitude, but it would have made the past three days even that much more enjoyable.

Oh - I mentioned automatic chains.. was told they're illegal on big rigs. If you follow my other posts on this board, you know my response already. Yup. Asked for a reference. Of course, I did it politely. I think. Hrmmmm

Then again, they tried to say that the FMCSR said sleeping bags are a no-no. <sigh> Oh well. I get the feeling they were trying to say something without quite saying it, if you know what I mean.. I'll probably find out, eventually.

Anyway.

That's it for today. I'll try to keep this up to date, but no promises. I WILL keep an informal log on my laptop, and will come current as I can.

Techman - did my orienteering in Denver. New terminal. Well, new to them. They share it with at least two other companies. I like it. The building was constructed in.. probably the 30s, maybe the 40s. On the out-swing of art-deco, so it is all very understated. Very solid, and not "pretty" by today's architectural standards. Only one light working in the men's room. Window A/C units. I loved it. Yard is gravel and has room for .. oh.. maybe 20 trailers and 10 tractors. I should have counted. It's only a half mile from I-70, essentially a straight run, too.

Everybody was friendly - even the other drivers who wandered through.

All the truckers I had time to talk to had at least 5 years in with the company - so at least it's POSSIBLE to be happy here.

Enjoy the train ride (I am SO jealous!), and enjoy the Orientation!

Remember to ask your OM "What's the most money you can have in US Coins and still not make exact change for a dollar?"

$1.19
3 Quarters
4 Dimes
4 Pennies

Thus, we spend another day.

 

This is always the tough part of training the cooler is not that big to start so it's not like you can stock up on a lot of food.
You have a chance to stock up on snacks water and the likes but only in small quantities. If your trainer is ok look for a little share space.
In order for some foods to be eat'n one also needs a M/W and not everyone has one.
Take it all in stride the 3 to 4 weeks is not about what you eat and where but about learning,your truck will be here before you no it and you can do with it as you please. Truck stop foods not that bad he may even know of some small road side stands to eat at.
Best of luck it all comes together in time

 

Hey Lurchgs just wanted to wish you the best as I see you go out soon. Have a safe one.