Beginning the Long Awaited CDL Process

wulfman75 · Oct 15, 2010

Good Luck Wedge

Guess I could've given you my spot at Millis since I decided not to use it at the time.

Wedge · Oct 15, 2010

wulfman75 said: ↑

Good Luck Wedge

Guess I could've given you my spot at Millis since I decided not to use it at the time.
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Thanks Wulfman.

When were you scheduled to begin at Millis?

Znine · Oct 15, 2010

Wedge said: ↑

Znine, Thanks for the support.

I'm a Mechanical Engineer.

I designed robots for pharmaceutical research and development. I was with the company from it's inception and worked my way up to manage all of the engineering activities. The company was acquired in 2000 by a mid west competitor. I stayed on until they decided to fold up the division and take it back to Wisconsin. I was offered a position with another company that required relocation to the west coast, but with having 2 kids in college, one finishing H.S. and a three year old home, I turned it down and hung up my slide rule.

I started the construction company so that I could stay local until the kids were finished with school. When the bottom fell out of the construction market, I decided to get out while the gettin' was good and headed south.

I tried getting back in to the game but no takers. I've been out too long. There's not much point in pursing the high power stuff at this stage. I don't need big money anymore so I'm going after something I've always wanted to do but couldn't afford to do.
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That sounds cool wedge. At least working with robots and constuction you have a good idea how things move and work. I kid around with my Dad because he knows what it takes to support a big rig on a bridge but he wouldn't know how to drive over it.

wulfman75 · Oct 16, 2010

Wedge said: ↑

Thanks Wulfman.

When were you scheduled to begin at Millis?
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Originally Sept 6th.

Moved it to October 4th

then decided to put things off to the first of the year due to financial situations.

We'll see where I end up going when the time gets here. Good luck to ya and keep us posted.

American-Trucker · Oct 16, 2010

Good Luck Wedge! Have fun!

American Trucker

Wedge · Oct 17, 2010

wulfman75 said: ↑

Originally Sept 6th.

Moved it to October 4th

then decided to put things off to the first of the year due to financial situations.

We'll see where I end up going when the time gets here. Good luck to ya and keep us posted.
Click to expand...

By September I was waiting on the WIA.

When the Millis gig didn't happen, I took a couple of steps backward and evaluated how I wanted this career to go down. Being forced to remain with an outfit for a year so I wouldn't owe them any money just didn't seem to sit well. What if the company turns out to be totally screwed? I'd have to ride it out.

How long I stay with a company should be my choice, not theirs.

I'm not going to job hop, anyway. I'll put in my time.

Wedge · Oct 17, 2010

American-Trucker said: ↑

Good Luck Wedge! Have fun!

American Trucker
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Thanks for surfacing. I was wondering what happened to you.

I'll keep posting throughout my training. It'll give you something to read.

Thanks for the support, AT. I truly appreciate it.

wulfman75 · Oct 17, 2010

Wedge said: ↑

By September I was waiting on the WIA.

When the Millis gig didn't happen, I took a couple of steps backward and evaluated how I wanted this career to go down. Being forced to remain with an outfit for a year so I wouldn't owe them any money just didn't seem to sit well. What if the company turns out to be totally screwed? I'd have to ride it out.

How long I stay with a company should be my choice, not theirs.

I'm not going to job hop, anyway. I'll put in my time.
Click to expand...

I know what you mean there. I'm hoping to do the same. Find a company I want to stay with rather than do a year or two and leave.

vmwelker · Oct 17, 2010

Wedge said: ↑

So now I have my DOT card in my wallet. Time to satisfy the second Millis requirement and take the test for my CDL permit.

I went down to the local Department of Motor Vehicles and picked up a Commercial Drivers Manual. It was time to study up!
Here in Georgia, to receive a learners permit, you must pass 3 different portions of a written test (on the computer, actually): General Knowledge, Air Brakes, and Combination Vehicles and you must score 80 % or better to pass. I read the manual cover to cover and began taking practice tests that are readily available at many different websites on the internet.

Once I was sure that I could pass, I went to take the tests.

The first test was General Knowledge, followed by Air Brakes, and Combination Vehicles. General Knowledge is most lengthy of the three. As you are asked each question, once you make your selection, it asks you to confirm your answer. Sorta like that TV show "Who Wants to be a Millionaire": Is that your final answer? You have the opportunity to change your answer. Throughout your testing, the computer keeps track of how many more wrong answers you're allowed, and displays it on the screen. I have discovered a new source for stress. Is that your final answer? YES!

So after studying the manual for the better part of a week, followed by an hour and half of shear terror, I was awarded my CDL Learners Permit!

Now that all of the requirements for Millis had been met, I submitted my application. Word was, if you don't hear something back after a few days, call them. Well, I waited a few days and called only to find out my application had been rejected simply due to the large number of applications to attend their school. They are very nice people and told me that they receive hundreds of applications daily. Once 3 days went by, I was at the bottom of a pretty big pile. But they said don't worry, you can apply again in 6 months...

So the lesson here is if you apply to a company when you submit an application, follow up with a phone call. Stay on top of the pile!

This all took place in July. I decided afterwords that I would prefer to choose who I wanted to work for. So a private truck driving school seemed to be the best way to go.

If you elect to go to school on your own and money is not something you have in great supply, look into WIA grants or scholarships. Depending on your situation, if you qualify you may be able to attend school at no cost! Because I relocated from the north, I qualify to receive funding for school because I was self employed for the last six years and have been unable to find employment here in Georgia. I submitted my application in late July.

I will caution you that the process can take while. The minimum wait is around 4 weeks, but in most cases it takes a little longer. In my case, there were 2 paperwork foul ups that were not my fault. The error was corrected and the paperwork re-submitted. Unfortunately, re-submitted paperwork doesn't go to the head of the line.

After waiting for about 10 weeks, I reluctantly decided to withdraw my application with the WIA. My decision was based entirely on the time of year. It's already October and the holidays are coming. I'd prefer to get this career change moving.

So school is paid for, and I start on Monday. I'm going in with my permit and DOT card. Hopefully it will work to my advantage.

-Wedge

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Which private truck driving school will you be attending? Please keep us posted about your experiences while there and your assessment of the school. It will be very helpful to those of us who are shopping for a school.

All the best to you!

Wedge · Oct 17, 2010

wulfman75 said: ↑

I know what you mean there. I'm hoping to do the same. Find a company I want to stay with rather than do a year or two and leave.
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Don't forget any of that.

Rewards from this business will only come from dedication and hard work. Hopefully, we make the right choice after researching the companies and comparing the results.

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