Newbie looking at Millis

Once again Sully said it very well. If you can learn to back up well, alley dock well and are cautious and safe you'll be just fine. I have seen some that still cant back up or for that matter drive straight. Understand that backing is something you will do at every customer whether it's an alley dock or straight back.

Now I will say there are days when I cant back up well - not sure why but I do to this day.

Trip planning, logs, HOS will all be taught in detail with your OTR trainer. I still have questions and call my old trainer almost daily as well as other drivers. There are many of us (Sully, Bear, Ryman, Kirk) and several others that talk almost daily and we share info and such with each other. Trust me there is always someone in our group that has been to a customer and can share insight or has a HOS or routing question.

I log every customer that I go too in a note pad. I can tell you where they are, how to get in, if they are a tight back, is there overnight parking, is it safe to park there, what food might close etc. Most guys have these also and we share with each other.

Once you get solo - through your number out there to us and join right in!

 

One team, one fight!

 

Thank Man - I appreciate that. I have no idea what I am doing but learning more about it each day. It's a lot of fun and Im always looking for new things to video so it keeps the day's more fun!

 

I concur with both Sully and Baritone. To add, it's understandable to be stressing over it if you've never done it. I drove before many moons ago, and the school was more of a needed refresher for me. Go in with an open mind, listen to what the instructor is telling you. Don't be ####y and think you're a pro, you will screw up. Take it as a learning experience and learn from it. It's not really that hard, but you have to be attentive at all times of what you're doing and what's around you.

There are people that just don't get it. And what I'm talking about is the mechanics of driving something so big and with so many gears. You may buffalo the instructor and do a decent job in the yard or on your little highway runs. But if you don't maintain safety in your mind, something will happen eventually. It's common sense stuff once you get exposed to it.

 

Hey - didn't the trucks have square wheels when you started? LOL

Bear is spot on- I couldn't have said it any better!

 

LOL, you think going 62 is bad, you have no idea how it is with square wheels.

 

It's going to be awhile before I get out there with you guys Dave. At the moment, I am retired and getting a decent pension. I had planned on getting into trucking 6 years ago when it looked like I was going to lose that pension, and after researcing the industry, I picked Millis. Millis fit the criteria I was looking for in a company. So i've been following along for quite awhile. Well, I still have my pension and enjoying retirement, plus I have ageing parents that need my help now and then, and I want to be there for them at a moments notice. My family comes first. So who knows, I just might join the Millis team one day, or I may not.

I do admire what you guys do out there on the road. I had an uncle that was an O/O for many years back in the 70's and 80's that lost his life in an accident in 1990. He put his truck in the ditch to avoid hitting a car that pulled out in front of him. I used to ride along with him in his KW cabover...similar to the one in my signature...many years ago and LOVED it. Him and I were going to buy a truck together after I retired. Some dreams are just that...a dream.

Enough rambling. Thanks so much for taking the time to post your experiances here on TTR. It is very infomative and entertaining. You guys be safe out there.

 

Second day of class is in the books. Tomorrow we practice shifting on the C'Ville 500. Looking forward to getting behind the wheel. Guys and gals that are looking at Millis, let me tell you, these people are great! Greg the trainer is about as straight forward as it gets. No BS. We have met several drivers and ALL have nothing to say but good things about Millis. Baritone was in the terminal today, really nice to meet him face to face. So far so good, its all up to me to get it right. I am recieving all the tools and help that could ever possibly be expected. I know I choose the right place, or should I say I am lucky they choose me. Again, I thank all of you for the advice that you have given and I really look forward to the advice and help that I know will be coming.

 

Best of luck. You'll be jamming gears before u know it.