Bluebonn I am really glad to hear that! I am excited about going to San Antonio and starting a new career. It sounds like a good enviroment and training program. I am looking forward to meeting fellow class mates and making some new friends. I am REALLY happy to here McDonalds and Wendy's with there dollar menu is within walking distance! Keep me posted on your adventures with your mentor! By the way, do they pay your way home and back to orientaion? # Peterbiltlover. I emailed my recruiter regarding the wellness test. He said they stopped doing the wellness test last year and the DOT is the only physical required.
You don't get paid anything for oreintation. I don't know any company that pays you to go to orientation. At that point, you are not hired yet. It is still part of the weeding out process. You start earning a paycheck once you get on the mentors truck and send in the appropriate macro. And depending on when you actually start, you could get a check the following week. As far as pointers for passing the test? Just have some confidence in yourself and be patient. For the real new guys who have never driven before, don't stress to much on your shifting abilities, or lack there of. They understand that this is all new for you and you will scratch a few gears. They know that it will be up to the mentors to get you trained up properly. Heck, I still scratch a few gears now and then still. As far as backing, it's all a matter of perception and angles. The best, and really only, advice I can offer is GET OUT AND LOOK! It don't matter if you back up 2 feet and stop, GOAL, and back up 2 feet and do it all over again. If you aren't sure, GET OUT AND LOOK.
