Howdy from a newbie

Well, tomorrow I go over to Bill Hall , Jr."s lot to get some practice backing short trailers. They're such a nice bunch of people over there! I think they're really interested in me and want to hire me if I can show them I can do what they want. They haul gravel and aggregate and I think I can get a lot of hours working for them. The one thing I worry about is that they're not an OTR long haul company and I'm afraid that if I sign on with them it will limit my choices in the future.
Anybody have any thoughts about that?

 

Didn't get the Bill Hall Jr. job. Needed more practice backing short trailers. They were real nice people and would be a great company to work for. Ah, Well maybe later.
Anyway, I got in touch with Swift (not my first choice) and lo and behold, they hired me!!!
I go to Orientation tomorrow (Monday) for three days then on the road with a trainer for 6 weeks or 240 hours whichever comes first.
Wish me luck. I so need this job. I know I can do it but still I am so nervous as I haven't driven in a month.
Packing and saying good-bye to wife and dog. Whew!

 

Yeah bumps I know what you mean. I have read about them and they're better than Werner. The big thing I get is don't take their "school" other than that I have seen a few positive posts. I'm at the point financially where I have to take anything that will pay me. A year or so and I can move up to a better company.
Who knows? Maybe they will be O.K. any starting job, almost, is going to be hell. I have no illusions. I also darn near don't have any money and a raft of bills to pay so I'm just glad to be working.
As you say so aptly "A country boy can survive" and there are d... few more country than me.

 

Just finished reading a thread "I'm going with Swift" by ORG he just vanished but the folks following him were really great and I got some good insight into what to expect at Swift. I think they will be a good company for me.
Wish me luck.

 

Well, here I am in Laredo at the motel. I thought I was going to be sharing with someone else but so far I have the place to myself.
I repacked my bag and got things better organized...Boy Scouts really pays off when you least expect it.
This room is freeeezzzzing! So I turned off the AC. I'll probably fry by four. That's when I'm getting up to get going.
Tomorrow is another day.

 

Day one of orientation. This morning went to the lobby as per instructions received at 5:20 to be ready for the shuttle at 5:30 only to be informed by the guy behind the desk that no one would be at Swift until 7:00 and that we would go at 6:30! Oh well, typical. Anyway all enjoyed a good breakfast, toast, bagels muffins waffles cereal scrambled eggs sausage and lots of coffee. No way could I eat all that but I sure had enough for comfort.
We all climbed into the shuttle at 6:30 and off we went to the terminal.
There are six guys in my class so that was great. Two people who were supposed to be there were no shows. I guess that happens a lot in this business .
Everyone introduced themselves and told a bit about what they were hoping to achieve at Swift then toilet time. All donations were appropriately made and then we did our physical and back to class. I passed, no problem. Wasn't worried about it anyway.
Then we filled out and checked over a bunch of forms watched films about policy and bennies had real good pizza for lunch. Pepperoni and pep and sausage with a humongous jalapeno in each box. Nobody wanted them so I scored bigtime. I have plans for those babies for later.
Afternoon was more films and listening to the instructor talk about driving for Swift. We are lucky as two of the guys had worked for Swift before and so we really got an insight into what was going on. Then it was 5 and back to the motel. I'm glad I drove down here instead of taking the bus as I can have a bit of mobility which I used to go to H.E.B.,God's gift to grocery stores. Seriously, them practically have a monopoly in Texas but they still have the best prices and being so big they can get deals not even Wallyworld can match.
I pickup a chicken quarter, some pintos and fresh cooked onions and three tortillas de mies (corn tortillas for you Yankees out there) went back to the motel and used those jalapenos to make some awesome tacos. I have enough left over for two more meals all for $3 dollars.
Now I'm smoking a cigar, drinking V-8, and planning to get a good nights sleep after I finish my work on-line. Talked to my wife Karen and heard about her day and all is well.
Tomorrows another day then Thursday then I'm off with my mentor. Hope I get a good one or at least someone who I can work with. We'll see but I am hopeful judging from the folks I have met here so far.
One thing about Swift is that I don't think I'll be lacking for miles and that suits be down to the ground.
I'll write more when I get the chance but I have the feeling that I'm not going to be having much time for anything but learning for at least 6 weeks.
Be safe out there.

 

Day two went O.K, more films. I had a real scare around noon when our orienter told me that the verifier girl wanted to talk with me right away. She wanted to see if a record I wrote down was correct and said that two of the people I used as references hadn't responded so I had to get her one more response. This was a huge surprise to me as I had known both for over 30 years! Come to find out that my main reference had been in the hospital. Someone assaulted him and apparently beat the holy Ned out of him. Five plates in his head it's a wonder he's still alive. Poor guy. I was able to get in touch with him and also a former client of mine and they both called in so I believe it's all gravy. She also wanted another copy of my State License as the one I sent her didn't come out too well. The orienter sent everything off and I'm in. For now. We were all told to check out of the motel and have our bags ready to go tomorrow so this looks like it. I hope I can do well as it's been two months since I've really driven a truck aside from Bill Hall Jr. road test and I didn't get that job.
I've got to say I am so nervous I don't know what to do with myself. Say a prayer for me please I need all the help I can get.