The journy begins

I have been in the heavy construction field for over 12 years and have been through slowdowns and upswings. This is the worst slowdown I have seen and there is no real end in sight so I am switching careers. I have no illusions of grandeur or notions of romance that some think truck driving might be. I have worked around and with drivers for all of those 12 years and have heard if not all then most of the horror stories.

Anyway. I applied online on August 1. On August 2 I received 4 emails from my recruiter stating all the glory of the academy, the pay scale and raises and the tuition and hotel costs, check withdrawals and if I stay a good little driver the tuition reimbursement. I faxed in the emergency contact and employment verification August 3. I completed the online training/quizzes August 4. I then called my recruiter today (August 6) and asked what's the next step. He told me the clinic I had to go to for the physical and since I live in the Republic of California I don't have to get a permit as Arizona has good common sense and won't accept California CDL permits. I ran down to the DMV to get my H-6(driving record). I seemed to have shocked my recruiter as I have a squeaky clean DMV record.

I also have to get the two notarized letters because I have been unemployed for over 12 months. If anyone has more info on that I'd be appreciative. From what I gather I need someone I know to state that I have been unemployed for over 12 months and I am not, in fact, a cretin.

I then fax the letters in next week and get my physical and contact my recruiter. I am tentatively slated to start the academy in Phoenix August 16. I will update as more info comes in as I have seen a trend here.

 

Two letters, notarized and delivered. All is set for me to head out this Sunday.

 

Thank you. I appreciate that. I don't know any questions to ask yet but I will keep you in mind.

 

Just got home. Phoenix has a new program now and some instructors aren't that pleased. 2 weeks on the range and 4 days on the road. Average of 10-12 hours driving on the road for each student. That isn't a whole lot of time really. Just enough to pass the CDL road test. That's my only gripe really. I had a lot of fun and am confident that I can jump in feet first with a mentor. Swift is starting to really gear up the Phoenix academy as well. Larger classes at the new pace. 1 day off in 3 weeks of training. We were there the first Sat and Sun and the second Sat with the second Sun off. Then the road training for 4 days and the CDL test the last Friday.

I go to orientation in Fontana Sept 14, there were enough California guys wanting to go to Fontana to swing that.