FTA-Asheboro, my drivers solution experience!

I figured I would try to keep everyone updated of my journey through the drivers solutions contracted school of Future Truckers of America in Asheboro N.C. Day one comprised of lots of paperwork, signing away your first born and right arm, drug test and D.O.T. physical. The instructors are very friendly and very helpful. We watched videos of all diffferent nature while waiting for everyone to finish with pp test and physical. There are a total of 16 people in class and only 5 going to USA. All the rest are going to PAM Transport. Studying tonight and fresh start at 7am tomorrow. Will keep you updated as the days go on.

 

Well day 2 consisted of going out first thing with the upper classmen and watch them do their morning PTI's. We then went straight into H.O.S and log books. We will complete a log book for each day of class. Was informed that if we wanted and their was room in the trucks, we could ride along as an observer with the upper classmen when they go out for their night driving after school has ended for the day. I think I will put my name on the list for tomorrow night. We will go and PTI every day with the other weeks class every morning. This afternoon we did hazmat. Next will be map reading, air brakes, and something else, I forgot what he said. We go to take permit tests on Friday. Overall I would say this is a very good school and the instructors are very knowledgable and helpful. Will update more tomorrow.

 

Well day 3 was very informative, first thing we learned was the COMPLETE air brake system with every single component from the air compressor to the trailer brakes and every single part in between. We then learned map reading. Had 2 students who were contracted for P.A.M get released today due to blood pressure. They only recieved 3 month DOT cards and I guess that wasnt good enough for P.A.M. I forgot that we now start every morning going out with the upper classmen doing PTI's. Had a great opportunity after school was over. Anyone who wished to and if there was room in the trucks, was allowed to observe in the truck for the 4th week students doing their night driving. Learned a lot in the 3 hours that we were out there. Hopefully that will help me get a leg up on everyone else in what is expected and exactly what to do during the driving phase. If there is room tomorrow night I will volunteer again. I dont know what the official C1 class is like and what is done but I can say that this school that drivers solutions contracted to is very very good. Instructors are great and very helpful and I feel I am learning a lot. Of course only wheel time will make you profficient in your skills but as far as learning ahead of time I can say that this school does make you very prepared for your future career. Every day it seems as though there is a former student that pays a visit back to the school to speak to the instructors and talk to them about how they are doing on the road. We had a former student who works for Werner, has been with them from the day he left school and 6 years later he is still with them and loving every bit of it. Makes great money, lots of mileage and decent hometime. He stated that in the last 4 years or so he has never made less than 50/yr. I know there are people that talk pure t #### about companies like Werner, and they would find it hard to believe that someone could like it there. That is my point with going to USA. There are people there that like it, and there are others who dont know how they are making a living there. A job is always what you make it. There will be good days and bad days at EVERY job. I believe that if you run like hell and do all that you can do with the hours that you are allowed to drive, dont turn down ANY loads that can be delivered on time legally, dont ##### about NON SAFETY items on your truck all the time. They can and will get fixed in time. Quit sitting in the drivers lounge or playing donkey kong and get back behind the wheel, YOU WILL GET MILES and make your money. I could be wrong but I feel that that is true for all companies. EVEN THE BOTTOM FEEDERS!!! Ok, Im off my soapbox and getting ready to call it a night and get ready for school tomorrow. Will let you know what happens tomorrow. Hope this thread can and will help all that are picked for USA and/or PAM and will be attending Future Truckers of America school in Asheboro, NC.

 

Thanks chem, I appriciate your candor, I agree that it is not true for all but I was just saying that more than the norm are people complaining about money and are not doing what they are supposed to be or just complain all the time and mostly about stuff that is out of everyones control and people just get tired of hearing it so they are not given more than just the bare minimum. I understand that in the first year you are not going to make alot of money. Anyone who thinks they are going to solve all of their financial problems in the first year is living in a dream world. This opportunity is a great one to get your foot in the door, gain the real world experience, and after you have that you can either decide whether the potential at your current employer is good enough to stay or take that experience, say thank you for the opportunity and get a job at a company that matches your goals. I was just saying that if your are looking for a reason to complain in this job, there will be plenty of opportunity cuz some days just follow the addage of you cant win for loosing. That being said, so does every job. Grin it and bear it, do what you said you would do in your interview and look ahead to the goal that you set forth in the beginning. GET YOUR CDL, GET YOUR EXPERIENCE, then make your career decision based on what's important to you.

 

Well today was eventful. Today we did shifting patterns after the morning PTI's of course. Then we watched some videos on CSA, Scales, and some other things. Then we took a practice test on a computer where the whole class saw the question on the screen and we all had remote controls with A,B,C, and D on them. As the question was asked we all entered in our answer and got graded. I got 100 on all sections and found out I was only one of like 4 students to ever get 100% on all tests. We were let go early and I took the opportunity to go to the local DMV and go ahead and get my permit. Passed all!! Everyone else went wherever and will do it tomorrow. Now I will begin studying my HAZMAT, tankers, doubles and triples because I want to have every endorsement I can get. More opportunity for me in the long run. I would never want to sit for a day because the only load in my area that is available to run is a HAZMAT and I have to sit and wait and someone else comes along with their endorsement and leaves in 30 min. Went out and observed night driving again tonight. Got a total of 8.5 hours of observation time already. Have to have atleast 20 total to be able to hit the roads and drive. While everyone else is futzing around and not taking all of the opportunities that this school is making available to you, I may have the chance to get started earlier than everyone else. I must stress that all the instructors here are great. Very knowledgeable and helpful. They dont just want you to get your CDL and get out. The class that graduated today, they asked them all that if they were ever in this area, to stop by and say hello and let them know how they are making out in their career. While everyone else in my class is out waiting in line at the DMV going to take their test, I asked to come and do some more observation time with the remaining students that have to get in driving hours tomorrow. I will be over half way of my 20 hrs after tomorrow!! I was told that I am the first week 1 student to go observe before they were made to in week 3. I dont know why people are given the opportunity to do some extra and learn some more than the basic and dont take it. Plus Im sure that my attitude and participation in this school will be recorded and passed on to my employer. While this might not mean much to USA Truck, there is always that chance. Choice 1, sit in room and watch 100 channels of nothing or, Choice 2, grab the bull by the horns and try to learn all that you can. Im sorry but I have always liked choice 2. Going to bed now and will update more tomorrow.

 

Well the week is over. Came back home to do some laundry. First week was good. Learned alot. Stayed today to get some more observation time in while everyone else boogied. I now have 17 hours of observation time of the 20 minimum required while the rest of my class has a grand total of ZERO!!!!! Will this help me it still remains to be seen, but I wont quit being this way till the day I get my certificate, licence and $200 dollar check. Have a great weekend all. Be safe on the roads. Will update more next week. Next week will be all PTI's and yard work. Straight line, 45 degree backing. The word came down that North Carolina is joining the rest of the majority of the US and coming next month the skills test will also include, right and left side offset backing, serpentine backing, alley dock, and parallel parking. Good luck to all future truckers in NC, the scoring system is also changing.

 

I wonder if it is possible to finish school earlier than the rest of your class. I just finished my first week of 4. Got my permits, I know that by the end of this week I will be ready to test out on PTI's and basic skills (backing). I will have all of my required observation hours long before the third week which is when the rest of the class will start. I wonder has this ever happened before and have they ever let it happen. I wonder if they will make me wait til my 4th week to start me driving or will they let me go out early because I am so far ahead of the rest of my classmates. Maybe they wont let me graduate early but maybe I can get my driving hours in before everyone else and be able to test out road test before everyone else and get my licence early and either graduate early or just be finished before everyone else and sit around at the school and do things while waiting for my hard copy of my licence to come in the mail. Then I wouldnt have to sit home waiting for it and while they are I can already be on the way to orientation.