Beginning the Long Awaited CDL Process

Thanks Katey. I leaned a bunch.

I should post something.

 

Once a company starts spending money on you, they don't forget about you.

OK. Time to write a post.

 

lol,I guess not...Ok waiting on your post..exciting!

 

I think he's writing a book - can't wait to read it

 

There's Always Something.

Hello Everyone.

I got up early this morning and headed to the Swift Terminal for day 1 of orientation. After checking in with the recruiter, I took my place in the lobby with the other candidates waiting for 8 am to arrive. It's funny how all the anxiety one could possibly suffer just washes away as soon as you're called to the orientation classroom.

We checked in were assigned our seating as our paperwork was already there waiting for us to begin scribbling away. A sign at the front of the room was alerting us to be prepared to leave with a mentor on Thursday (Oh Yeah..).

After a brief welcome and introduction by the orientation supervisor, we began critiquing our paper work, checking for errors under the watchful eye of the lady from 'Compliance'. She gave us her introductory speech, contact phone and fax numbers, and the general do's and don'ts about the documentation that we all needed to address. The population of those attending orientation I'll put at around 25 (I did a speedy count).

Afterward, we filed out to complete our physicals. This is a slow process when you're talking about more than 2 dozen people. As a matter of fact, it took so long, half of us returned to the orientation room for lunch (courtesy of Swift).

My impression of Swift's orientation to this point is pretty good. They're reasonably organized and have a protocol that ensures they leave no stone unturned.

After chow time, I head back to the line for physicals hoping to be next or something to that effect. I passed the drug test, my vitals (heart rate, BP) are fine. I get moved to another testing area to do vision and hearing tests. No problem with the eyeballs, but hearing is a challenge for me. Yes folks, I do wear hearing aids, and the whisper test is difficult for me. I can hear the whisper just fine, but to discern what is being said can be a major obstacle. It all depends on the tonal quality of the voice. Some people I can hear perfect, other people not so well.

Prior to going to Swift's orientation, I went to an audiologist who tweaked my hearing aids and boosted the gain. She tested me and documented that I exceed the minimum required by the DOT. This information, from my understanding, can supersede the whisper test. There's a place for it on the DOT long form.

Well, apparently Swift has decided that those numbers don't mean much and would prefer to qualify me by the whisper test only. So they take me to a very quiet room and administer their test. Left ear passes, right ear doesn't.

Then to add more complications to the mix, my documentation for my CPAP use needs to be brought up current (I just recently moved to GA).

Swift says that everything is good to go, but they want me to re-visit the audiologist and have the right hearing aid adjusted so I can pass the whisper test. Regarding the CPAP, Swift needs a doctor's signature on one of their documents and I'm good there (that's a minor issue). My placement is being "temporarily deferred" until I resolve these two issues.

Because I'm in a holding pattern, there was no point in continuing with the orientation. I returned to the orientation room and collected my things. Interestingly enough, the class seemed to lose a few others as well. At least I know that after putting in some additional effort, I can return and pick up where I left off.


Moral to the story: Make sure the ducks are in a row, or you could end up with unwanted delays.

So tomorrow morning I'll begin my quest to resolve the two pending issues that are delaying my training. Because of the holidays, Swift's next orientation date will be Jan 4....................... Bummer.

But hey, looks like I'll be home for Christmas.

Thanks for reading.

-Wedge

 

Sigh - boy they are teaching you patience right out of the gate!! Well have a Merry Christmas w/the family and then you can start the new year off GREAT!!

 

Boy if I had a nickel for every time that happened! Now's your last chance to run! You see the mega-carriers do this to people because the recruiters get paid for every person they can get to come to orientation. They could care less if you are there for more then 15 minutes! As long as you show they get paid. Please don't take offense to this, you are new at this game and need some guidance. Just a thought, but maybe find a company that is going to work with you and maybe tell you upfront everything they need from you before orientation. At the mega-carriers you are just a number and this is how you are going to be treated throughout your stay with them. Wedge I don't know you but you seem like a pretty nice guy from your posts and you have come a long way. It really pis****** me off that you are just going to be run through the system! You live in GA right? There are literally thousands of companies to choose from in GA. Find yourself a good mom and pop company that are going to treat you like a human being and not a number. It will make a big difference in your earnings also. Once again please don't take this as bashing you! I just want to see you succeed and not be taken advantage of. If you need any help I would be glad to get you a list of companies or whatever you need.

 

Nothing beats Christmas with the family. I just have to make sure I get my homework done tomorrow though.

 

Sorry about that Wedge,I read alot about this and it is very normal.Get it taken care of and bam you will get on with it..Good that you got that early slot,now you will be ready when you go back.Still sorry about this..

 

Glad to hear you get to spend Xmas with the family I wish I we're going to be that lucky I'm scheduled to leave Millington on 12/24 in the afternoon/evening and home is minimum 20h away on the Grey Dog. Sorry to hear about your orientation SNAFU Wedge the thing I keep having to remind myself 'Success comes in a Can. Failure comes in a Can Not.' according to the teacher here my Grad date will be 1/3/11 and your date gives me hope my orientation will start 1/4/11 also in Columbus, Ohio.

Do they sell the key chains in the Company store?