And so my new Stevens adventure begins!

Hello All,

Well after all the research, questions, and comparisons were made today I began my journey. I have seen several others that have provided a pretty detailed account of their experiences through training and over their first year and I found that reading those was extremely beneficial to me as it provided an insight into the day to day ins and outs that are not covered by the recruiter or the flash welcome packet. So that is what I am going to try my best and do here is to offer up that insight in hopes that it will help the next wannabee who has a decision to make and provide for an interesting read along the way.

My basic bio reads: 37 year old white male, wrapping up 2nd divorce, previous work history included 10 years in the Marine Corps as a Traffic Accident Investigator (mainly in Japan), 3 years on the Gold Coast in Australia as a finance manager for a large motorcycle chain, 7 years back in the US working for the Army as a civilian at Ft Lewis, WA, Ft Leonard Wood, MO and most recently 3 years at Fort Polk, LA. I do have children who live with their mother, no dogs, and really really dislike cats. I enjoy golf, cricket, F1 racing, football, and most other sports at times.

I made my decision to leave my "government" job and become an OTR Driver after a long deliberation and after knowing that my babies would be cared for and provided for well. I have a bit of a lonesome gypsy spirit at times and with an inquiring mind that can at times lead me to places that I shouldn't have gone...but it makes for a good story!

 

Day 1: 2 Nov 2013

I chose to fly to the school in Colorado and passed up on the chance to enjoy a more scenic route via bus. I was coming in from Des Moines, IA and the ticket was really cheap and the flight less then two hours so it was a bit of a no brainier. I honestly spent more time over the last two days packing, unpacking, and repacking then I did actually traveling to here.

My flight was without incident on a little mini plane with "Frontier" Airlines. I can't speak against them only that they are a discount airline so nothing is free. You pay for your bags, your snacks, your drinks, etc.... While I was checking in there was an older couple in front of me that apparently managed to buy tickets online that did not allow for "carry on" luggage. I have never heard of that type of ticket and apparently neither had they. Unfortunately for them they were quickly appraised of the new policy that went into effect in Sep and were told they would have to check their bags and since they didn't rate carry on bags they were also voluntold to pay the checked baggage fee as well at $25/bag.

Arrived in Denver about 9 am and contacted the number that I had been previously provided by the schoolhouse to arrange a shuttle ride from the airport. The van arrived in about 30 minutes and the drive out to Keensburg took about the same. Small town in a rural area. I saw a Dollar General on the way in and there is a little cafe, grocery store, post office, and laundromat just around the corner from the house. We stopped by the office and got a copy of the Colorado CDL manual to continue studying and prepare for the permit test on Thursday. We were told to be ready to go at 8 am to head down for DOT physicals and drug tests in the morning followed by a study session in the afternoon.

The house. I am not here to complain about the accommodation I am here to get the best training I can get and I have been told they are great at that part. Apparently the school owns/leases several houses in the town that the students share while attending the course. It is not a hotel, it is a house. 3 bedroom/2 bath with a dining room, living room, and kitchen. Each room has two sets of bunk beds so we can house up to 12 students in this house. The decor is straight 70's from the maroon and green shag carpet to the foil pattern wall paper. House rules are posted on the wall and are pretty simple for any adult to follow. Clean up after yourself, only eat what you buy, no booze no women. It's not the Ritz Carlton but I is a place to lay my head down at night, shower in the morning, and study in the meantime. For $90 for 3 weeks I have no complaints as I woulda stayed on a cot in a tent if that's what it took.

Well, I am off to study now for a few hours and then catch the LSU beatdown of Alabama later tonight.

 

Day 2: 3 Nov 13

Today was a pretty straight forward day. Only had about 9 people show up on Saturday so the house was still fairly roomy. Cool night with the window open made for a reasonably good sleep on firm firm mattress.

We gathered at 8 to and piled into the van to head down for our drug test and DOT physicals. We were taken about 20 miles away to the Tomahawk Truck Stop where there is a doctor who keeps an office on the second floor. Things went by reasonably quick as there were not to many of us. I passed the waiting time studying the CDL Guide for the permit test on Thursday. Slight issue with the BP as I am usually right on or at the top of the charts but still in standards....today it was about 10% higher then normal. Not sure if it was a combination of the altitude and nerves or not. Either way looks like I will need to get that medicated and continue with the better dietary choices to ensure I don't get derailed before I even get started moving.

After returning, around noon, we went straight into a 5 hour study session for the permit test. The study session basically entailed each individual reading his manual and completing a series of 3 practice tests over each topic. I have already read up and been studying so the tests went by fairly quickly for me and I spent a couple hours continue to browse the guide. Throughout the afternoon a few more students started trickling in.

We were cut loose around 5 and told to be back at 7 am as tomorrow would be the "orientation" and day to complete all of the administrative paperwork along with more studying. Came back to the house and a few more students showed up so we pretty much have a full house now.

Feeling beat so early night tonight I think.