cant wait.. my last day in the military is the 16th and im supposed to start training/orientation on the 27th.... can people actually fail out of the orientation? if so whats the most common reasons.... im just curious. anyone know about the military apprentice program...
Most common in my group were drug test and lack of math skills. Don't think you will have any problems though.
On average I think half of the people in orientation are let go before the end. When I went there we started with 24 people and ended up with 14 or 16 making it. Some for stupid reasons and some for unknown reasons they were just gone. The 2nd week is when they really flush people out,, just show continued improvement and just suck it up if they give you crap. I think part of their training program is to push your buttons to see how you react, so don't flip out and remain cool and you should be fine. Also your time in the hotel don't relax too much as I think they watch you there too, remember its a job interview basically for 2 weeks,, show them you want the job and take it seriously. A lot of the jokers and party types were weeded out by the end.\ at least in my case. I wrote my experiences down here and so did cplmac2 and others as well. Lots of good information passed on by some good people. Theres good and bad stuff at TMC, and although I don't work there anymore, I still hang around this forum for some reason. I sometimes miss working there actually, but wouldn't return since they been making more changes that I wouldn't want to deal with living in the North East. Good luck http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/tmc/64193-tmc-day-1-a.html http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...c/68179-off-see-trainer-my-time-training.html
Thanks for the response I just thought of antoher question. It says they prefer you to take the bus to orientation....now im only 4 hours away and see no point... but it says you can be put on the road straight from orientation...what teh truth to all of this... Im checking out your thread as we speak so i might find my answer lol.
Take your car. I drove and was reimbursed from the Chicago area $90 for gas and they don't really give a crap if you drive or take the bus. However, if you wash out you will regret not having your car as you will be at their mercy. Also you will want a car to get to and from the stores for food or whatever since they don't offer breakfast or dinner. Vending machines get old after awhile. Our class started with 39 and we graduated 24, the most drops come on day one with the physical but we lost a guy or two almost every day after that for a myriad of different reasons. Nobody in our class was issued a truck in Des Moines, everyone was sent either to Indy or Joplin to pick up their trucks. The way this worked out was you left orientation to go home and meet your trainer, just about everyone goes home to meet their trainer it's rare for a trainer to pick someone up at Des Moines. You go out with the trainer for 5 weeks and either you are dropped off in Des Moines by your trainer or you take the bus. Once in Des Moines you take your final tests, behind the wheel and written. When you pass these tests the tester assigns you a truck and lets you know what terminal it's in. Then all the guys who passed the test and are picking up trucks in the same terminal rent a car and drive to that terminal. At the terminal you fill out a "swap out" form where you do a detailed inspection of the truck and check out your securement gear. Then if god willing you don't have a problem to be fixed on the truck you hit the road. It's an enormous headache but it only lasts for a couple of days, then you are on your own. Bottom line, drive to orientation. You won't need your car much but it will be nice to have it if you need it.
Everything cplmac2 said is right on the money. Bring your own car,, nobody from my class hooked up with a trainer right after,, all went home first. 3 guys drove from my class and lucky me one was my roommate so we could goto Wendy's and Walmart for supplies. Eating out of the vending machines and ordering out gets old and expensive fast. I flew there as they said it was a 26 hour bus ride for me, hell no way I spending that time on GreyHound bus. Some from my area did take the bus and it took them 32 hours to get there, they rolled in at 10pm on Sunday night all beat up from the long ride, and class started 6 am sharp next day. My flight was 4 hours and I arrived at 11am Sunday so I had time to relax before everything.
Thanks guys I hear you on the bus ride spend 24hrs on it from fort campbell,ky to west point,ny for a military traning event and it was HELL! I should do pretty well considering im in #### good physical condition! Do they have a gym at the hotel? And since I drive tractor trailer here in the military the last 6 years i hopefully should be good to go... only thing i kinda worry about is the 13 speed..I have great confindence in the my driving, but throw that monkey wrenchin tehre it it all can go to hell quick lol!
They do have a fitness center at the motel. They also have an indoor pool, a sauna, and 2 hot tubes so bring along some swimming trunks. Don't worry about the 13 speed because they know that about 99% of the new guys have no experience on a 13 speed. All you need to do is show improvement everyday on your shifting, driving, and backing skills.
do they have a long haul fleet cuz im single with no kids and wanna be out more cuz on their website it just says line haul im also a newbie if that means anythang and what speed and do u get to take the trucks home or leave at the terminal
