Day 1 completed, class 726, 21 students consisted of physicals, drug test and signing paperwork and school loan forms. Then meet with processors and dot the I's and cross the T's on the application. Most they had highlighted showing missing info they needed, but I also took the time to look over everything and found a few errors the recruiter had made like misspelled names or wrong numbers, might as well get them fixed now and avoid any issues later. We were told that we will need a ruler and white-out for class tomorrow ... another expense that I wish would have been on the list for packing as I have those at the house, oh well, cheap enough at Freds. Wasn't too concerned about the physical but I know I haven't seen a doctor in over 20 years. Swift doctor was a bit concerned by that as I am getting older and need to start thing about things like prostrate and colon. But I never had any health issues so just never went to see one even for a check-up. My weight is unchanged since my last physical in the marines, blood pressure is a little low but still good. Good strength and still quite limber. After listening to the speech about my smoking a pipe I was given a clean bill of health and a signed DOT card. Lunch was provided by Swift, 'roach coach' 'vomit wagon' what ever you call the truck concessions. Not bad, and about what was expected and the best part was free. Hearing from the second week students that today was the easy one and from here on out things get serious. I am ready for it, got great class/roommates and we plan on studying together, we are all very serious about this training and getting everything out of it we can. Had to splurge a bit on myself and hit the Ryan's buffet restaurant next door to the motel, made it a feast and rolled myself back to the room. Ready for a shower and bed shortly. Take care, -SgailDreugan
Thank you, I am really looking forward to working for Swift. I don't let the naysayers and Swift-bashers bother me, I am not doing this to impress anyone except myself. I hope I get the chance to meet you on the road someday. -SgailDreugan
Well, I guess it's now Day 5 for you. I was in Class 719....seems ages ago!I hope you are still doing well and have found some sort of sanity in your daily routine. If not, don't worry, it gets worse!Just keep the good attitude, take everything one step at a time, listen to the instructors and all will be fine. I was Navy but the experiences I remember when you just have to "take it and move on" served me well at Millington. I'm now on Day 20 of OTR Mentoring. I hooked up with a good mentor and the last 20 days have been educational and at times.....#### fun! I have over 6000 miles at the wheel, have seen a number of places I'd never seen before, and, for the most part, have adjusted well to this lifestyle. I didn't have any grand illusions when I started, so anything good that happens is a pleasure and, a lot of good has happened! Good luck to you! Simply stay to the course....Oldnewbiegonnabe!
LOL ... Swift doctor's seem to have a fixation on prostrates. I just finished orientation at the Lathrop terminal. Doctor, at the clinic they sent me to, spent more time lecturing me about my prostrate than he did on the exam ..
Guess it is time to give an update. Classroom work is over and done, finished all the tests with a 92 percent overall score (80 percent needed to pass) so I have no complaints. The final trip planning tests were the hardest and I already had years of map reading skill. Knocked out the pre-trip evaluation with only a couple points last week. Started taking my evaluations on the range today with one point on the offset back, took a pull up that I didn't need but I could not see the outside cones so took the point just to be safe. I wanted to take the eval on the 90 degree ally dock but the instructor had to leave early and the road trainer left to supervise was not permitted to do evaluations, so I will have to wait till tomorrow to finish up the rest. So things are looking good and I should be on the bus Saturday night heading to Gary for road training, then to New Boston for DMV testing and I am guessing I will do orientation there as well. I am hopeing to get Gary as my home terminal as I am really considering flatbed division. But until that time I am having a blast, the instructors are great and most of the class is doing well. I have become a bit of a trainer myself as I seem to pick everything up very quickly and have been nicknamed 'counselor'. Classmates seem to think I have been driving trucks for years and I tell them I have not been behind the wheel of a semi in almost 30 years, and that was military... must be like riding a bike. After I finish my evaluations I will help others with their skills and a couple instructors said they might set up some interesting challenges we can try. The one and only downside I have dealt with is the heat, woke up at 4:30 am this morning and it was already 86 degrees, probably hit 100 today, heat index was 108, and by noon that range blacktop turned the whole place into one large oven. But I drink plenty of water and have sunscreen and look forward to the shower as soon as we get back to the hotel. Well for now I am gonna get some sleep and will update when I find time, probably after I start road training next week. I am really just wanting to get this done and hit the road soon, but I am making the best of my time here till then. -SgailDreugan
Done with evaluations at the range, scored zero points on the 90 degree ally dock, asked the instructor how I did he said, "It was OK" I was like, "that was perfect" ... oh well... finished all the skills with only 3 points used so I can't complain. Got our paperwork and bus conformation for week 3 and orientation, but I have to come up with 125 dollars for licensing that I really don't have. I will make it work somehow, might be eating a lot of ramen noodles and PB and J. -SgailDreugan
