Melton orientation in the heat

OK, I know a lot about what to expect in general, thanks to you folks. I'm going to Melton orientation on Monday. Its July. Tulsa tempertures will be the mid-90s. During outside tarp training steel toes, jeans, hardhat are required. What about the rest of orientation- is it inside? I'm right now trying to pack the right clothes so that I can be comfortable, learn, and do well inside and outside. I just want to be prepared for the high heat and humidity. Did any of you go to Melton in the middle of summer? What did you wear each day? I'm also packing for OTR training... right? After orientation, if I make the cut, I should be road-ready (packed accordingly), correct? also what about these flooding rains, do you actually wear rain gear in 90 degree temps?

 

Planafreighters, I'm a new driver. I want to drive flatbed and go up from there. Maybe oversize loads or car hauling eventually. But I have to start somewhere and Melton is willing to train me. Im one of those people who come in on a Monday. Sorry bro. I just want to get experience and good training.

 

Update. Well, I've successfully been at Melton's orientation for about a week now. Its been 100 degrees each day and we spend time both inside the classroom and outside on top of flat beds securing practice loads. Its been hard. Way more learning than I had in driving school. That heat is intense. The learning curve here is steep. Yesterday's class and securement tasks lasted 12 hours + homework for when you get back to hotel. Its not for everyone. We started with 20 candidates 6 days ago and now we are down to 8. A few had secret problems with their apps and got booted but mostly people dont like this difficult orientation. They quit. Anyways, I understand some of you don't like Melton. I can't speak to that. I'm not a quiter quite yet. Gonna continue on. Ive already dropped some body fat in just 6 days. Thats a bonus.

 

If you are going to Melton orientation, here's some personal tips. Just my experience after completing it.

Firstly, bring just tshirts, boots, and jeans. You wont need a collared shirt. Dress ready to do a ####load of labor. There are laundry machines in hotel. Nobody cares about neat appearances like a normal job interview. Just be clean smelling. Bring cash. You can buy groceries accross the street and you will be hungry. The "2 meals a day" are small sack lunches. Also, bring gatoraid or power-aid powder mix + a large drinking bottle.

Next, they wanna see if you have been on drugs. Hair folicle and urine tests day 1. Then, tests to see if you can easily climb up and down a truck, moving a 100lb tarp bundle correctly. Obese people may not be able to do this. 2 obese people just up and left. Next, more interviews-did you lie about anything in your telephone interview? Better have the exact same dates and explanations why you ever did anything in your entire life thats on record. Be ready to explain any drug use in your lifetime to a dude who was a Marine and had zero patience. Just tell the truth. It was a stupid mistake, etc. They know drivers arent perfect but Melton fires liars immediately. I told the truth about my crimes and drugs use from many years ago. Not a deal breaker.

Finally some things not to bring (that they tell you to):
-New road atlas -theirs is only $10. Towels and washcloths - hotel has plenty. Flashlight- maybe in winter? Also you arent asked to wear hi-vis vest during orientation, but you will need during post-orientation driving.

In general, Melton orientation is about 400% more intense and difficult than CDL school was. The speed in which you are learning is beyond anything Ive done. Driver logbooks are a serious issue and you must be able to write perfect handwritten logs all day every day. Next, trip planning with an Atlas. Yeah, you have to do them in your hotel room as homework. I brought melatonin for natural sleep aid and I went to bed at 8pm nightly exhausted. You get up at 5am and are on the 6am bus to class. 8 days of this seems short but have you ever pushed yourself mentally and physically for 10-14 hours a day for 8-days just to get thru a job interview? They never say "good job", and you are always waiting to get sent home. Only 8 out of 20 lasted from my class. Mostly combat vets and hardasses from tough working backgrounds. The immature and goog-offs left in first 2 days. Melton orientation isn't fun. But its a means to an end and that end is a top notch training and foundation for flatbedding.