The wait is finally over.......

I have been in the "Charlotte Works" WIA program application process since last November here in Charlotte, North Carolina. Tomorrow I finally take my DOT physical, drug test, and MVR to finally get approved and start school at Charlotte Truck driving school. If all goes well I will start school March 11, 2013. I am beyond ready and this has been a long and tiresome 3+ months. My background and MVR (last 3 years) follows: misdemeanor assault on female conviction from March 16, 2011; a 53 in 35 speeding conviction from October 26, 2010; and a 74 in 65 speeding conviction from May 23, 2012. I have spoken with several recruiters and I have family members in the trucking industry that have given me the green light to pursue trucking. I have 3 daughters and I am looking for stability in this horrendous economy. I will continue to update this thread as I continue my journey into a new lifestyle......

 

@ Chinatown I remember in one of my first threads you advised me to apply at Carolina cargo. You are always positive when you reply and I'm grateful for that. Thank you

 

Just a quick update....Monday I passed my DOT physical and drug test and I received a call from the WIA coordinator congratulating me on receiving my $3500 voucher for Charlotte truck driving school. I start on Monday March 11, 2013 @7:30am!

 

Thanks for the advice and encouragement I really do have some hurdles to overcome but I believe in myself and I know what I'm capable of.

 

Day 1 @ Charlotte Truck DriverTraining School

Alarm was set for5am but I was up at 4:50am anxious to get the day started. 5am-5:30amI cooked eggs and grits for breakfast with a glass of V8 strawberrybanana smoothie......yummy!!! I left home around 6:45am to have timeto run to Walmart to grab some gloves that I'd forgotten to get daysprior. Pulled into the school parking lot at 7:15am and watched otherstudents hurrying to get parked in the "best" spots. Signed inand sat in the very back of the classroom. I unpacked my laptop,notepad, pens, NC commercial driver's manual and waited patientlywhile the other students frantically filed in. Class started promptlyat 7:30am with finishing paperwork and last minute rules. 8am-12:30pmwe learned how to fill out a log book, watched a health and safetyvideo, took 2 test, went over some material from the Federal MotorCarrier Safety Regulations "pocketbook", and then took lunch from12:30pm til 1pm. Several other students and I were smart enough topack lunch as some students burned rubber getting out of the parkinglot in an attempt to grab lunch from somewhere and get back before westarted class again. Preparation is the name of the game and theyshould have known that our schedule only permits two 15 minute breaksand one 30 minute lunch break prior to starting class today. 1pm-6pmwe completed an activity on filling out an accident reportaccurately, watched a video on accident reports, took 1 additionaltest, reviewed more material from the Federal Motor Carrier SafetyRegulations "pocketbook", and ended the day by turning in ourdaily log report which included 14 hours "off duty" and 10 hours"on duty not driving". Today was like I was back in high schoolwith all the classwork and activities, but it was not toooverwhelming as I have always been a great student. I will be on theforum and studying my practice General Knowledge Test, Air BrakesTest, and Combination Vehicles Test until I hit the sack.