Con-Way TL Student Orientation

You need your CDL to attend "Bootcamp". Its basically designed for student grads to make sure you have the skills which will be needed to succeed with a Finisher trainer. Just finished today myself, it was a great experience. The instructors John and R.C were awesome.

 

Went in this morning and we watched a film about identifying road hazards. Brought one of the trucks in the garage and started our pre-trip test. everyone passed so that means all five of us will head over to Joplin Monday for our final orientation and wait for our finishers.

Since I went to an excellent school and had some wheel time under my belt the school was challenging but not to hard. I have seen people struggle with shifting and backing but the instructors want you to succeed and will work with you. Overall John and R.C were very fair in their evaluations and i feel very fortunate having had the pleasue of meeting two very fine gentleman.

I almost had an oppurtunity to run for a smaller outfit but I'm pleased things worked out the way they did. Still not out of the woods yet, need to get a finisher and get his blessing but the first phase is over. Time to hoist a few cold ones and catch the Rays hopefully put a hurting on the Red Sox.

 

Unless your fond of the Greyhound bus experience a plane ticket is the way to go. Conway will reimburse you up tothe price of a bus ticket. My bus ticket would have been 190 and my plane ticket was 280. I arrived in Joplin Sun afternoon checked in to the Holiday Inn by 4pm. If you get there early on Sat, I think the room is on you. But they will pay for the room Sunday night. Good luck.

 

This is were you need to be in touch with your recruiter. Mine (Katurah) was awsome but after everything was confirmed I still was not booked for the Monday Orientation. If this happens dont sweat it they will get you up to speed, they just have to re-enter some info in their computers.

Now about your flight. I came in on an AA flight at around 3pm on Sunday. There was a shuttle from the HI and I bummed a ride off them. Technically you should take a cab to the terminal were Con-way's shuttle will take you to the HI. Now since your coming in on a Sat you will probably have to pay for that night. Just make sure they give you the single room Conway rate, $41, Sunday the room is on Conways tab and Monday after noon you will head down to Neosho to the Boonslick Lodge YEEE..HAWWW
It seems disorganized but when you understand they have o/o, seasoned drivers and student drivers all coming in at the same time you can see were the potential to drop the ball is coming from, plus the area is still recovering so just take things in stride. I still need to get reimbursed for my room because I wasn't on the list. so bring a credit card or extra cash so you can handle these little hiccups, Good Luck, Its still been a positive experience.

 

If you can I highly recomend flying in on Sunday, like joplinlocal said, rooms are at a premium. If you do come in on a Saturday just make sure your booked and communicate with Keturah.