Beginning the Long Awaited CDL Process

Hey Sammycat.

Actually, there is.

First, I was able to replace my hearing aids under warranty, but the audiologist hasn't had an opportunity to "tweak" the beasties yet. The original programs have been installed, temporarily. We'll work on the programming this coming Monday.

Second, I have an appointment with an MD to take care of any outstanding issues with the CPAP.

So I'm headed in the right direction.


But is there more to this story? You betcha!


Stay tuned.......

 

.............to next week's installment of 'Wedge's Adventures' same Wedge Chanel same Wedge station!! LOL!


Good to hear things are moving in the right direction!!!

 

LMAO

 

Hello Everyone.

Today I informed Swift that I wish to be removed from active consideration. The span of time between doctor appointments makes it impossible for me to make their next orientation start date (Jan 4). But that's not the only reason for my decision.


There is more to the story and I have a lot of information I want to share, but tonight is not the right time. I'll post a detailed update tomorrow.


Thanks for reading.

-Wedge

 

No fair!! I want to know now <pout>

I can almost read a smile though in what you wrote - so I will patiently (yeah right) wait for your next installment

 

*shocked*

I look forward to readin about these new developments!

*sits and waits, impatiently*

 

geez between Wedge and American Trucker with your ''wait until I post again'' you guys are just teasing us!!!! <snort>

Well Wedge you KNOW we want to know the new developements!!!

 

Never Give Up.

Hello Everyone.

I couldn't help but tease everyone last night, but anticipation is something that keeps the mind active.

There hasn't been too much posting from me this week because of the holidays and such. It's the "and such" part you most likely want to know about. Let's start with Swift.

I withdrew from Swift for most part because with the hearing aids I presently have (and just so you know they are a couple of years old) I cannot pass the forced whisper test in my right ear. I have even gone as far as to replace both hearing aids (under warranty) with very little noticeable improvement. I will have the hearing aid programs fine tuned (this Monday), but I'm not holding my breath.

For those of you that are considering signing with Swift, understand I am by no means bashing Swift in any way. The DOT set a minimum standard for hearing. I exceed those standards. But Swift is raising the bar even higher. They are well within their rights to do so, and I commend them. Working for Swift just isn't meant to be.

Remember: Not all trucking companies are created equal, or share the same standards.

The reason I haven't posted much this week is because I've been very busy.

I just completed my orientation with Central Refrigerated.

Central has a 3 day orientation that starts off at 6 am with "Wellness" testing followed by a DOT physical. Being in the construction business for the last 6 years made it easy for an old buzzard like me to pass the wellness test, which basically is an agility test where you have to lift weights of different amounts on to shelves and carry them across the room while your blood pressure is monitored. You will also climb onto and off of a DOT height step a hand full of times, and you must be capable of pushing and pulling a minimum of 100 lbs. I thought I was in pretty good shape, and that testing wore me out.

The DOT physical followed shortly there after. I passed every portion of my physical including the whisper test (go figure). For good measure I provided the doctor with a copy of the report from my audiologist and my hearing never became an issue. Central requires a sign off for the CPAP as well, but that is a minor issue that will take care of itself this coming week. The training coordinator said to complete the orientation, and then I could get the CPAP document signed off. I wasn't complaining.

Before, during, and after our physicals we were filling out paperwork. The balance of the day was spent watching videos on safety or listening to the instructors and watching power point presentations, mostly on safety related topics.

The second day we had lectures on how to use the Qualcomm, and more safety lectures and videos. In case you haven't figured it out yet, safety is a big deal. As an added treat, I was fortunate enough to sit in on a quarterly safety meeting with a bunch of Central drivers. After beginning with a power point presentation, the meeting turned into an open discussion on safety with everyone participating. I was glad I was there.

On Wednesday we covered e-logs. That was a pretty long lecture. The orientation ended with videos covering traffic violations, cargo theft, and security procedures.

My orientation class was small (2), so the lectures and any topic we were covering went by pretty fast. There was one more person in the orientation, but he seemed to vanish after the DOT physical on the first day.

So I've got all my drivers manuals and training workbooks, and I'm ready to go. I have to see my doc on the 6th to get the CPAP signed off and then I can go out with the trainer.

I had a good week. The people I've met at Central have been great. They provided a relaxed, no pressure atmosphere. The terminal is kept very clean. So far, I'm impressed. There is still so much more to learn, but that will happen on the road. For now, I'll get the rest of my tasks complete and then it'll be time to pack.

Special thanks to Chompi.


Thanks for reading.

-Wedge

 

Way to go Wedge. Things happen for a reason. It will turn out that Central will be a better fit for you.

 

So nice to hear a good report about Central (not that there haven't been others) because Hubby is heading to Fontana, CA to start orientation on Monday (Woo Hoo!!) I will be following in February (if all goes well at school!!)