My Millis Experience -

Ok - first week is in the books! Our trainer is on vacation tomorrow and all of next week so his replacement will not be here until Sunday. So we have tomorrow off. I think I'll go to the yard and work on my pre-trip since I can do so without having the trainer there during the weekend.

Today we watched a few video's and then back out to the yard. We worked on parallel parking and alley docks. With a small class like this and there being three trucks, you get all the practice you need/want. Again I underestimated the difficulty of the process it takes. By day's end - I had it down pretty well.

What I have really liked about Millis is the drivers that are through the yard have been more than willing to answer questions, offer suggestions and many have even helped with the class and gave many tips. Being able to talk to them was great. Out of the 10 or so I have talked too personally, all are getting all the miles they can handle and dont seem to have any real issues except the normal that you hear.

Next week we will work more on backing, blind side alley docks and off-set backing. Should be on the road on Thursday pulling a trailer. Looking forward to that but scared as hell also.

Learning a crap load, achieved a new appreciation for what this job requires and most of all - having a friggin blast! Have already talked to my trainer that I will be with (provided I pass) - so looking forward to meeting him.

Hope all have a great weekend and more updates next week.

B

 

I took you're advice and I have to say........Some of the best #### wings I have ever had! Appreciate the info!

 

Day 6 is in the books...........

This week we have Woody as our instructor who is from the Trenton Terminal. Another great trainer and all around good guy. He also brought down a nice Cascadia which we all drooled over for a little while.

Today we spent the entire day in the yard working on alley docks, blind side parking and off set backing. I did very well until the off set backing. For some reason that kicked my ### early on. As the day wore on - things became easier and by the end of the day I had it down pretty good. We just kept switching trucks to ensure we all could do it well no matter which truck we were driving.

The two older trucks are good but the air conditioning doesnt work very well in either. Today was very hot and humid after a short rain shower and having the windows down with all the dust from the yard just doesnt work well. The T2000 is much better and has great a/c but we all have to take turns on each.

We also had another person join our training today. It was a student that is set to take his CDL in GA tomorrow. His trainer was with him showing him how to handle the T2000 since his last trainer had a T600. What impressed me was the trainer was on vacation this week and he came in today to help his student to ensure he passed tomorrow. So we made room for him to ensure he could use the course as needed.

Met more drivers today - all of which are more than willing to talk to us, answer questions and even offer assistance.

Tomorrow should be more backing and trailer work.

 

Day 7 is complete.......

Spent most of the day working on our backing again. Blindside backing, parking and off-set backing. Mainly like a merry-go-round around the yard but we all seemed to get better as the day went on. Feeling much more comfortable with each day.

Found out today all the trucks have either a refridgerator or a built in cooler. It appears the new trucks have a fridge and the older models have the coolers. Also talked to the guys in the shop today, they do allow inverters and even have them for sale if you want. They only ask that you allow the shop to install the inverter so they know it's done properly and there is no cost for them to install it for you.

Each day I am growing more sure that I made the right choice.

 

If you go to Trenton for training - you'll have Woody who is our trainer this week. You'll like him - very down to earth and has probably forgotten more than I will ever know about trucking!