Training Adventures with Sage in Cheyenne, WY

I began my first day of training with Sage in Cheyenne, WY today. YEAH!! I'm so excited to finally be able to begin my career as a truck driver! Since a child I have always wanted to drive the big rigs and now my dream is coming true! I'm currently a network engineer and though the pay is good, my job satisfaction is a two on a scale of one to ten. LOL So here I sit to document my experiences through my training with Sage and hope that it helps other Newbs out there with any questions.

Day 1 has come and gone with so much information poured into my feeble little brain! All though it didn't feel like an eventful day with all the video watching and practice test taking, I can't believe how much I've learned in just one day! This entire day was spent viewing videos, which yes they really do need to update them, and taking practice tests. This was hard for me due to how tired I am from just coming off an eight hour shift at work. I was struggling to keep my eyes open! LOL Normally I work banker hours Monday through Friday and was able to talk my employer into letting me work midnight to eight in the morning. Then I head straight over to Sage for some fun and adventure from eight to five. Since I've just begun this schedule change my body isn't used to it and I feel like my head is swimming and I'm hung over. lol I don't care though because I'm finally learning how to drive the big boys! Ok I digress so back to topic.

So today was really awesome and I enjoyed it very much. There are five of us in the class and we all get along really well. The instructor we met today is a nice guy and full of thirty years of knowledge. He seems to be very happy to assist us with any questions and I'm sure that we will learn so much from him. We also spent some time getting to know the director who is a nice gal and its obvious to me that she genuinely cares about the students success in the program. We asked her lots of questions about the six exams we are taking tomorrow at the DMV and other questions such as our driving schedules. For those of you who aren't familiar with Sage, its a four to five week program where you learn the in's and out's of trucking as well as spend 44 hours behind the wheel doing actual driving. One thing I love about Sage is that its personal 1 on 1 training where its only you and the instructor in the tractor. None of this sitting back watching another student drive. Its all you time baby! LOL

I was very fortunate in that with my wife being stay at home and having a son with another child on the way, which we get to find out if its a boy or girl on Wednesday, I qualified for a state grant and all the training is free to me! AWESOME! No having to fork out 5000 from my own coffers! That makes this truck driver wanna be very happy indeed. We have been able to bank some money which will be nice while I'm a newb in the industry trying to feel my way through the ranks and gain some experience.

Tomorrow we have more videos to watch and practice test taking to do in the morning. Then in the afternoon we head over to the DMV to take the six exams which will conclude the written portion of the CDL. I'm so nervous! So far I've done really well on the practice tests but hope I don't botch it up when I'm sitting to take the real tests! May the Gods see favor upon me and help me pass them! lol kidding. All in all though its going to be crazy taking six tests in a row at the DMV and I just hope to not have to retake any of them.

Well I'm back at work now so I better actually do some work and wish you all a very happy day. I will write more with my update to Day 2 tomorrow and let everyone know how I did on the tests! C-YA later!

 

Congrats on successfully completing your mentor time and getting your own truck! I'm sure it has been quite an adventure for you and that you are excited to have your feet on the ground running. I'm looking forward to that time when I can say the same!! How are you liking Swift thus far?

 

You are so right about the Tech industry here. There really aren't that many jobs and I probably have one of the few here in Cheyenne working at Echostar. I've been thus far very happy with Sage here and it has been a wonderful program. Sage has a good name for themselves and they do a great job of teaching you the ins and outs of trucking. LOL you may have seen me today. I was in the small classroom watching videos this morning. I wasn't there this afternoon as we were at the DMV taking our six written tests to get the permit and for the hazmat, tanker and double/triples endorsements. Let me know if you are going to be attending the school and we can meet up. Heck I'll buy you lunch.

I also want to thank you for your service and wish you a happy retirement from your military career.

 

Day 2

Day two has come and passed with the training and I'm cruising right along. In the morning we spent time watching three videos to help prepare for the tests at the DMV. Doubles/Triples, tankers and hazmat. There is so much to know about Hazmat! The five of us in the class just sat there looking at each other with expressions of confusion and fear when the video ended. LOL Once we were done with the videos it was time for lunch then the dreaded dmv tests.

I ran home to have a quick bite to eat with my family then I was off to the DMV to take the exams. When I arrived there it was about 1:00 and what do you know the darn place was packed. Go figure. Never go to the DMV during lunch time. Three of my classmates had already arrived and were ahead of me in line. Well after about a thirty minute wait I finally go to the counter and began the paperwork. My classmates had already began the exams and it didn't seem to be going well for one of them as all I could hear was him saying s*@t, ####, f@*k and other choice words. LOL It didn't give me much confidence. lol

Once done filling out the paperwork and taking the eye exam, I was put on a computer and began the the first exam, General Knowledge. I was comfortable with my knowledge of the subject which proved correct when I passed the exam with no problem. On to the next exam which was air brakes. This one I felt I would do well on and once I got to the end, was proven wrong. When the final score came up on the screen some choice words came out of my mouth as well. lol I had failed the exam by one question. #### that S-cam brake question causing me to fail the test! There wasn't anything I could do about it just then so I dusted myself off and went on to the next exam. The last 4 exams went really well and I had no problems passing them. I was concerned about the hazmat exam but once I began taking it, realized that I knew that material and it went smoothly. All the tests were now done and I had to address the air brakes test. I told the DMV gentlemen that I needed to retake the air brakes exam and he set me up on the computer. Wouldn't you know it! I failed the test AGAIN! And guess which question I missed causing me to fail it?? S-Cam!! The same stupid question that I missed the first time that sent me over I missed again this time! #### it I was so ready to just have the tests done with and be able to focus on the driving and all. Needless to say that I will be going back in the morning after a night of studying to retake the test. Good thing I'm able to take it again. lol

So in a nutshell my experience these first two day with Sage has been a good one. I have no complaints at all and don't regret my decision to attend Sage in the least bit. I know there are still 3 1/2 weeks to go but I'm very happy with how things have gone so far and can't wait to begin my driving time. Oh yeah! My first drive will be this Saturday from 8 to noon! I'm excited! I hope not to run anyone or anything over. lol Well back to work for me and I hope that everyone has a wonderful day. I will write more tomorrow after class.

 

Great to hear that you are looking more into the training! Sorry I haven't updated my experiences the last few days. Its been crazy busy and I will make sure to update today after class. Yes it is the same price for all six exams as it would be for just the three to get the permit. Its all included in the cost of the Sage course so you don't have to come up with that money as well. I did pass my air brakes the next morning without missing a single question. Lovin it! I have my first drive tomorrow and am looking forward to it. I'm a little nervous but I think I will do fine. I will post more this evening and I hope to see you in class!

 

Hello everyone! I'm sorry that I haven't been on for a while to update how training is going with Sage. We had new carpet installed in the house and had the internet disconnected for a couple days.

Training is still going great! My first week has past at Sage and it has been an awesome experience. The amount of information that we have covered has been insane. lol They put a great deal of attention on the Pre-trip inspection as it is heavily graded on by the DOT. That is good because we go over it numerous times to get it firm in our minds so that no matter which part of the truck they ask us to do a pre-trip on we are ready.

I drove for the first time yesterday! Spent four hours with an instructor learning how to double clutch and navigate my turns. I'm so excited! Can't say I have had that much fun for a long time. I did very well with navigating turns but am going to need more practice double clutching. That is a different beast all together. Its nothing like driving my mustang. LOL

On Monday we have the recruiter from Warner coming in to talk to the class. Fun fun, another sales pitch. Although I'm not interesting in Warner, I'm sure he will have some good information on the industry.

That's it for now. I hope everyone is well and drive safe!