Werner wins the race!

I'm still working to get WIA funding for my CDL training, and one of the requirements is that I need to have at least 3 pre-hire letters from trucking companies. I took 9 applications to the school this afternoon (around 3pm) and not 2 1/2 hours later, I just got off the phone with a recruiter, and I've already been pre-hired by Werner! I guess they don't waste time. Of course, I have no intention of going there, I will be running teams with my roommate out of a company in Amarillo, TX, but wow -- that was fast. I'm waiting to see how long it will take England and Swift to call LOL! As soon as I get the three letters, I will submit all my paperwork to WIA and they will submit it for approval. Hopefully, I will begin training before the end of the year. Just have to practice double clutching and shifting. Since I've never, ever driven a manual transmission of any kind, they require a skills assessment before I start school. The guy at the school suggested I practice the rhythm of it using a plunger as a stick shift. Boy, will I feel silly, but it can't hurt. If anyone else has any other suggestions to help me with this, please feel free to let me know.

 

Boots -- I've been playing with my toy tractor/trailer for a few weeks now. That's how my roommate learned to back. He had one more day of class, and just couldn't get the hang of it, so he got a toy tractor with trailer and 'played' with it to see what happened when he did this and that. Next day, his instructor was amazed -- wanted to know how he learned to back so well in one night. He told him, they got a good chuckle, but I know that instructor used that for other students who couldn't get the hang of backing. Amazing the different ways you can learn things isn't it. Roommate says I should make 'engine noise' while practicing the shifting. Says it will help get the rhythm right. Dog thinks I'm nuts LOL!

 

OK Cerebrus -- got any better suggestions? Why don't you swing by and teach me to shift in your truck LOL! Just picking with you. I figure playing with a plunger is better than nothing. If I had someone nearby who drove a manual car or truck, I'd ask them to teach me, but since I don't this is all I have right now. Of course, if anyone else has any suggestions, I'd be more than happy to return the plunger to its rightful home next to the 'throne', but til then, here we go -- first gear -----second gear----you get the idea.

 

Thanks Julie -- I'll check it out. Then maybe Cerberus and my dog will stop thinking I'm nuts LOL!

 

Thanks for the reply Nos, I'm sorry you were unable to get funding through WIA. I have been told that it usually takes 3 weeks after I have all the paperwork together, but others have said it doesn't take that long. I think Michigan will be OK as far as receiving WIA funds. We have the highest unemployment rate in the country and West Michigan -- where I'm at -- has been hit the hardest. That is one reason it has been so difficult for me to find a decent job. I have a Bachelors degree and over 20 years experience, but have yet to get more than casual interest in being hired. I'm sure the only reason that I got the job at Target was because they were opening 2 new stores and had a huge job fair to fill the positions. Basically, if you passed the drug test and didn't have availability issues, they hired you. I'd rather drive a truck than work at an office anyway -- so, I guess things worked out for the best. If there is a problem with WIA, roommate says he will teach me to drive and let me use his truck for the road test. Not the option I'd prefer, but it's always nice to have a backup plan. Best of luck to you and I will keep everyone posted on how this goes. BTW, I was looking at the 18 Wheels of Steel Haulin last night and figure I'll probably get that to help me out. Also thought I might take a trip to the local arcade -- they have one of those truck driving video games there. Can't hurt.