First day at SAGE Trucking School / Ivy Tech - Muncie ,Indiana

I got hired with Carter Express in Anderson, Indiana. They are paying my tuition 100% and I don't even have to pay it back!

Ok, so the school they are sending me to is SAGE/Ivy Tech in Muncie. Today was my first day. We went over class rules and did 4 chapters. So far each chapter has a short video, a review and a few minutes to answer the multiple choice questions. There was no hurry today like in classroom settings I've been in before. Very laid back and quite enjoyable.

There were only 3 of us in my class, 2 of which was in their second week. I'm pretty busy tonight and sleepy but if you guys have questions, feel free to ask and I'll answer. I'm also gong to try very very hard to update as class progresses to let anyone interested know how it is.

 

By the way we went over Control Systems, Vehicle Inspection, Hours of Service and Whistleblower. We also did pre-trip - I think this will be reviewed daily.

Tomorrow is half day in the class and the afternoon will be at the range doing a pre-trip workshop.

 

hahaha i haven't had pizza king since i lived here before probably 15 or 20 years ago. i may have to get some this weekend.

 

Today before lunch we went over Vehicle Systems and Diagnosing Malfunctions. This included brakes, tires, differential, etc. We watched several videos on each of these things. We also watched the pre-trip inspection video first thing this morning. Our instructor is easy to get off topic and most of the time is just in chill mode. BUT, he tends to make sure we all got a grasp on what was taught/explained.

After lunch we went to the range and each one of us (currently there are 3 of us in my class) had to do the pre-trip inspection and each of us did the in cab and 4 brake check twice.

Tomorrow he said we will be in the classroom all day. The other 2 guys will be on the range driving from 5pm-9pm, but that is because they are in their second week.

I am still really liking this.

Oh, and the instructor went on and on about Carter Express. He said if you are looking to get into the industry, Carter Express is about as good as it gets. He also talked highly of them for people that have been in the industry for years. This made me happy to hear and to know that I made the right choice with Carter.

 

Today we went over Basic Control, Shifting, Backing, Hand Preventative Maintenance. Backing was probably 10 videos - all from the 1970's and very boring lol, but informative. The latter part of the day was pretty much time wasted. We just kind of did nothing for the last hour or two, but it's ok. At 4pm he released us early and the other 2 people in my class went to the drive range to practice backing. This is their second week.

 

about to post an update now. pay starts out at 32.5 cents a mile if they pay for your schooling. if they pay for it, you dont have to pay it back, but you agree to stay with the company for 1 year. i was told that if driving isnt for you, they will even help you find something else within the company. if you have experience, i hear the pay is much more. every person that i've spoken with, including the half a dozen people that i already know that work there, they all say the equipment is well maintained. very seldom does a truck end up on the side of the road. i'm really excited to be working for carter express in a few weeks.