Finished my training and...

... got my CDL !!

I can't believe these past 3-weeks went by soo darn fast.. Seems like yesterday I was highlighting just about EVERY sentence in the CDL manual, praying I would pass the permit test just to get in the door..

Just goes to prove if you work hard at something and continue to put forth 110%, our goals can be achieved.

I attended the Phx, AZ academy, as I live 10 minutes away, which was nice.. I had a GREAT bunch of guys in our class (P444 kicked arse!!).. Most of us all passed our CDL test, 4 failed to do so. It's a kick in the head reminder that just because you can pass all of your evaluations and seem to be doing well on the range, your not guaranteed to pass the CDL test.. I'm not ashamed to say I was nervous as hell waiting my turn, smoked about 14 cig's, paced around the waiting area... But.. I did it and woke up today and smiled, as my journey can now begin !!

Monday I start my Driver Orientation, and was advised to be packed and ready to head out with a mentor, saaweet.. Hell, I've been packed and ready for weeks now, heh.. Now the REAL training begins. I'm hoping I get a mentor thats NOT on a dedicated, or I'll have to jump ship. I would prefere a mentor that is regional, as I will get more experience at different terminals, stops, customers, etc.

If ANYone out there is thinking of heading to the Phx, AZ academy, do so. The instructors out here were awesome ! I REALY had a great time, learned a ton, screwed up a bit here and there, but my instructors were there to help walk me through the procedures/step to correct my mistakes. 100% satisfied with my time, and training..

Everyone at the Jake break I talked to, company drivers and/or Lease operators were cool, all seemed to be happy.. Food was surprisingly decent, but I mainly ate pizza, and Mtn Dew, gotta have the dew, as range coffee sucked.. Met some cool people from back east that were on a reset, and we talked about Swift and trucking, even showed me some cool tricks/tips that pertained to trailor/truck quick fixes, what to buy as a newb, etc.. Very cool people..

I've got 2 days off before I head back to the terminal and start my orientation, as stated above, so I'm soaking up some home time and getting my things in order, putting everything on battery trickle charges, relaxing.. I hope to see some of you while im out mentoring, and when I go solo !

 

Thanks all for the kudos.!

Well I've just about got everything packed and ready to go, what a job that was..
I've got a question for you guys.. When you go out with your mentor, did any of you take a small cooler for food/drink?? I'm curious if its an option, as id hate to burn through what little money I have left buying truck stop food/drink.. Id be more than willing to do the PBnJ route n such, but hate to bring things just to have them rot in my car for 6 weeks too...

Guess it all depends on my mentor and what little room he'll be willing to give up.. or.. maybe ill stuff the spare with food LOL..

 

Makes sence, thanks Heirforce1 for the info..

 

Man what a boore today was.. All we did was pre-hire paper work and take another piss test. On the pluss side we got free lunch, or should I say tonights heartburn..lol

This will be the 3rd time we've gone over these papers in the past 4 weeks, and hopefully the last time I have to verify my #### SS# and previous employers.. Grrr..

I'd say 95% of our class were from other 3rd party schools, and companies, few rehires and my buds from the range/school.. 30 in all

So Weds we should get our driver code and let loose early, then off to start our 240hr training. Keeping my fingers x'd I get a decent mentor thats not some rookie 6 months out of the academy.

Be safe out there..!