Looking to change career in January, 2021

Thanks Dockbumper for the words of encouragement and wisdom! I'm sure I will be asking more questions in the near future. I am really excited to get started on this new adventure. Is it the 18th yet?

 

Well, 1st day at MTI training is in the books! Drug test and paperwork, Awesome instructor(s), 5 people in the class including me. Already picking up some valuable information. Looks like I'm the "old man" in the bunch! haha! Super excited to finally be here!

 

1st week of training complete! Finished all book work, worked on coupling, decoupling, sliding tandems, straight-line backing, in-cab check and air brakes check, working on other pre-trip A, B, C items. Looks like they are going to let us "test for CDL" BEFORE we go on the road with trainer. Millis now has their own state certified tester there at the Cartersville Terminal. This means our class could test at our own yard AND have our CDL before we even go with our trainers! That would be AWESOME! So far, this has been a TOP SHELF outfit here in Cartersville!

 

Well....I'm nearing the end of week 2 at Millis Training Institute! I never dreamed I would be parallel parking a 72' tractor trailer..haha! We have completed and still practicing all backing maneuvers including both offsets, both parallels, straight-line and alley dock. We continue to practice all maneuvers, pretrip A,B,C as well as coupling, in-cab and brake tests. I have already met my future trainer (who I will go OTR with for approximately 6-8 weeks or until I have driven 15000 miles). Tomorrow (Friday) will be my / our first day out of the yard and onto the highway(s)! Man, this AWESOME! Tons of respect for Millis crew here in Cartersville. Had a couple of personal items I needed to work out; they have been reasonable, fair, and flexible in scheduling and assisting with my needs / issues. Better watch for the Millis Student Driver Training Truck tomorrow; I'll be the guy who has a death grip on the wheel; HaHa!

 

Completed week 3 at Millis Training Institute! Man, these guys are 1st class trainers! We had such a great instructor. Jack, Steve, Gary, and Greg are ALL great people! We covered so much ground in 3 weeks; it almost seems impossible. 4 out of 4 students who tested for their CDL this past Thursday and Friday passed! We now have our CDL credentials and ready to hire on with Millis, head out with a driver trainer and continue our learning process! Orientation starts tomorrow. It's nice to now be able to focus on learning without the overhead and stress of still needing to do the CDL testing. We should complete our orientation mid-week, go home, get packed up and ready to head out for "real world" training now. We are expected to be out 6-8 weeks until we achieve a minimum of 15,000 miles with our trainers. I guess this will be the first taste of the OTR lifestyle. I pray I can continue to learn the ins and outs of the industry and be able to adapt comfortably to the lifestyle. The plan is to soak up all I can, put as many tools in my toolbox that I can get, earn my stripes, earn my own truck, and get my wife with me. I'm now 3 weeks into the journey. Can't wait to see what week 4 has for us!