Start at McElroy on Monday!

Well, we did parallel to both sides in the CDL school I attended, so it wasn't that big if a deal for me. It's not too difficult to pick up. Hey, if I can do it, anybody can.

"Serpentine"......."bent out of shape" --- I saw what ya did there.

I'd never done a serpentine till I was MTL. Remember, with each maneuver, set up is EVERYTHING! of course, I, more often than not, SUCK at set up! Before we ever got in a truck on the skills field, one of the instructors showed us the set up for each maneuver, & then did each one. Helped a bunch.

A lot of what happens during MTL's training that are considered "tests" are really evaluations they use to see, yes, if you can cut it or not, but also to see how they can best help you. Heck, after being out with my trainer for four weeks & then having practiced on the upper skills field for a few hours one day, the next day (the day of evaluations) I couldn't hit a spot to save my neck. Felt like I had "FAILURE!" stamped on my forehead. I was so frustrated & feeling miserable. Was in the truck just wishing they'd come over & send me home so the agony could stop. When we finally broke for lunch, I didn't want to be near ANYBODY! One instructor asked why I wasn't going to lunch. Told him I couldn't eat after all that. He said, "all what?" & just tried to get me to laugh. He knew there are just days like that. While each phase, each day is pass/fail, they seem to really want to see a guy pass. I just kept telling myself, "there's no reason I can't do this, if I just pay attention, learn, & apply." Of course, when behind the wheel I just tell myself, "just breathe...& drive the truck."

 

Yeah, I got your meaning on that. I'm the same way. I'm my own worst critic, & tend to beat myself up a lot. Infuriates my bride!! She wants to be the one that gets to beat me up!

 

Only voicemail? Strange. I know it's an automated phone system when ya call. (I know...I hate those things, too!). Anywho, just hang with it & listen to the smorgasbord of options...or just go ahead & punch "0". That might get ya to an operator quicker. Of course I'm just guessing. lol

As for the trainer question, I really don't know. Might be you wouldn't have to be out as long as a newb like myself. Not sure if a recruiter would necessarily know the answer either. If you get to speak with a recruiter tomorrow & he/she doesn't know, ask "do you think Paul would know? I'f he's in, might I speak with him?" Paul is one of the guys over safety. He'd probably know.

 

Okay, for those who have asked me about "average miles" one gets per week at McElroy --- and let me just preference what I'm about to share with this: in my humble-yet-most-accurate opinion, I do NOT believe one can adequately/accurately judge avg. miles per week based on two weeks...but here goes --- (& remember, these are only my first two weeks out solo). First solo week: 1563. Second week: 1670.

In both weeks I had some "minimum pay" rated loads, so both checks will be larger than just figuring 40 cpm. Now, I'm just a mere rookie, but that doesn't seem too bad for the first couple of weeks. It's my understanding that after the first couple/three weeks the miles pick up a bit (that's according to some guys that have been w/MTL for a few months. They're of the opinion that MTL uses the first couple of weeks to see how one handles everything before overwhelming a guy. Sounds logical. I'll keep y'all updated. Time for some rack time. Y'all be safe ou there!

 

NYC...at McElroy??? Never heard that. I don't think we even run into NY state, let alone NYC. I know when I was researching different companies I heard various things from each one, so I was meticulous in taking detailed notes when talking to each company. Are you sure you're not confusing MTL with another company? I mean, I suppose it's possible we occasionally go into NY, but I don't think we do.

As for "staying out" with a trainer for four weeks, here's how that typically works. There are four weeks during training that each new driver goes out on a trainer truck. The trucks are NOT run like team trucks during those weeks. In other words, you're not driving while the trainer is back in the bunk sleeping, waiting to drive when you rack out. MTL will make every effort to put you with a trainer that lives as close to you as possible. Now, that depends on a few factors such as a availability, whether you want a smoker or not, etc. My trainer lived about 50 miles from me. One guy in my class lived only 7 miles from his. Another guy had to go about 300 miles to meet his, but it was b/c he wanted a smoker, & that was the closest available trainer at the time that smoked.

In regard to "staying out" --- a trainee meets up with his trainer on Sun afternoon/evening to head out for the week. The time will depend upon the trainer & the destination. The following Fri y'all return to where the trainer parks his truck for the weekend & you go home till Sun. Then it starts again. So, you're out on the trainer truck for 4 weeks, but unless you're just so far from your trainer, you're not gone from home for 4 weeks. Well, unless you're situation is like the guy in my class that just had to have a smoker & the only one available at the time is so far away. I think MTL still provided my classmate a motel room in the trainer's area for those weekends though