Taking 1st step

Thanks, man. I appreciate the support that you and blair along with some others are showing me. I'm applying for linehaul. I'm a night person by nature, reinforced by years of 3rd shift work. I'm running at night now, which is good. I had more trouble staying rested when I worked daytime hours.

I don't expect to hear much before the 1st of the year, but of course that's almost here. It's probably presumptuous of me, but I've already got my resignation letter drafted. I just have to fill in the dates.

 

OD wanted a copy of my MVR. I was able to get a certified copy online from my state BMV for about four dollars. I thought it only went back ten years, but Indiana at least keeps record of everything going back to when I got my license at 16.

 

Got the call today. I was going to give it a week and let everyone catch up from the post holiday confusion and then check back in, but they beat me to it. I road and drug test on Saturday, and back in Monday morning for more paperwork. I'm not sure what that entails, but they're willing to work around my current schedule which is really helpful.

 

Got another call this morning. No trainer available Saturday, so we have to reschedule. Monday is best for me because my current work schedule is a roll of the dice the rest of the week. Monday is also the only day next week that has a 60% forecast of freezing rain. Murphy's Law is still in effect, it seems. I took my very first solo load in a snowstorm, so at least I'm sticking to what I know.

I can't speak from experience (yet!) but almost everything I've ever heard about OD has been positive. I've been talking to drivers of various companies for over two years, and the OD drivers are consistently the ones that seem the most satisfied. Maybe we'll run into each other in Indy sooner rather than later, eh? Good luck to you.

 

It's not official yet, but almost. Just have to get that final go-ahead approval from the corporate office before I'm in really and truly. I didn't try to hide anything and my work history is an open book, so that should be a given. I won't start celebrating until I get that official word, but I'd say it's pretty much a sure thing. I'm not sure what I'll be doing. Extra board for sure, but beyond that is a mystery for now.

I do have to say that I nailed the road test down flat. I was a little worried about grinding a gear or two just because every truck has its quirks and I've grown accustomed to driving Internationals instead of Freightliners, but it all worked out. The observing driver complimented me on smooth shifting both up and down, especially since the truck was right at gross. It's always nice to get an attaboy from an old hand. From what he said, he's tested some real iffy characters before.

So that's that. Now I'm just waiting around for the call telling me to turn my notice in to my current employer.