Joining the team

Well, after looking over several pre hires ive received while here in school, i've decided to join the WS team. I will be going to missoula Jan 10th to start and hopefully finish orientation. Do you think it will be cold there?? LOL.

I thought long and hard about it. The fact you dont get a trainer compared to other starter companies, made me think about it a lot. Especially with winter blowing in. But I feel I have common sense and can work problems out will help me. I hold a commercial pilots license and I also spent 5 years as a railroad conductor. Both those jobs required you to be on your toes and always be aware of your surroundings.

I have 10 days left of CDL school at one of the best schools in the country (SAGE) All of the training here is 1 on 1 instruction and although they bombard you with information, I seem to be retaining it well. When I took my DMV written tests with all endorsements I didnt miss any questions. (not bragging) I realize being book smart wont make a bit of diffrence when you are behind the wheel of a truck. But I am a quick learner. I have never even seen the inside of a big truck before this school. Ive got a couple years in a delivery truck but its no bigger than a medium sized Uhaul truck(2 axles).

First hour in the school truck and I had the upshifting and downshifting(tricky at first) figured out. Strait line backing wasnt as hard as I thought it would be. offset backing has been a little trickyer for me as well as parallel parking. But Ive only had 5 hours in truck and we get 50 hours of wheel time, so im sure it will all come together with practice.

What really helped make my decision is reading the informative posts from people like American Trucker, Walstib (the supreme backup dude J/K), dam im typing this on cell phone and there are 2 other guys i cant remember name. One of them wears a hat in avatar photo. ( you know who you are) and other is chalib? something close to that. And many others, you know who you are.

Im rambling on here and just wanted to say im looking forward to joining you on the road next month. I suppose I should worry about getting out of school with my CDL first. hehe Any way, thanks to all your posts. They were the deciding factor in making my choice.

 

Thanks a lot guys. Just wish it was the beginning of spring and not winter. I was reading the thread on where you make deliveries. And some of them seem pretty scary. When you first start out, do they try to get you loads that are relatively easy to get in and out of?? Also i noticed you stopped at exide battery. Do you need hazmat endorsement for that load?? Does WS require hazmat??

 

Ouch... I dont want to be "that" guy. Missoula sounds cold. I live in las vegas and it is quite mild in the winter hehe... Today in school we learned how to chain up the truck. Im sure that may come in handy. It was 69degrees here in arizona today, but im sure throwing chains when its 10degrees and blowing snow it wont be as easy... hehe