Trans Am Still

Been reading all your experiences and stories with transam over the past few days. I am going there on Wednesday for my first day of orientation. Can u possibly give me a heads up on some things? What happens during the first 3 days? are we in the trucks at all those first 3 days? how is the 3 days of yard work this is my weakness will they toss me if i dont get it? How about the road test? is it hard can i fail out? and what do they do exactly? I never drove a automatic does it have a clutch? or just fuel and service brake? Anything i need to know about Olathe KS and the training facility dos and donts lol? I appreciate any help you can give me im a little nervous im 47 starting a new career never drove a truck except in school..ugh.

Mike

 

I am bumming around in the truck right now. Waiting to hear if the current load is something I can take being bobtail. Would be nice! 350 mile deadhead to Acworth, GA for a drop at Lowe's in Cheyenne! My DM knows the places I prefer to go. Waiting for hubby to get home. Not sure if I will be spending one more night at home or what.

.....

Crap. Spoke too soon. Void dispatch and they found somewhere to get me a trailer. All the way up in Dalton! Lol!

 

Aaaaaand the negotiations begin. I've proposed my ideas on getting that empty and keeping the Cheyenne load too. At least they have me getting a 2013 trailer!

 

Here ya go, Mike! I thought I remembered having this on the blog.

 

[h=2]WHAT TO PACK FOR ORIENTATION[/h]From jaso36 - You should bring shower shoes and whatever minimal stuff you will need to survive till you get home to get everything. They have GPS in trucks but I still bring my map as I know I can trust it, I have a t-700 and the bed is full and I think they are in the t680 but not 100% sure. Have no idea about the T-660. Both loads that I have done so far have been 1400+ so that is nice especially coming from dry van when anything over 800 is rare mostly 500 mile runs. I think they route everyone home on their first trip so if you forget something don't worry you will be home soon enough to get it.
They say pack light cause they send you home on your first trip. They did me so I got everything in truck. Don't need much for orientation except DL, SSN Card, Medical card and a voided check if you want direct deposit. Bring enough clothes for a week and full size bedding. I brought twin, pretty funny scene watching me try to make a twin fitted sheet fit but I did until I sat down and then poof all four corners went at once. LOL.

From Honeybadger - For orientation I packed: toiletries, including shower shoes; a weeks worth of clothing; bed sheets to fit a twin bed; my pillow and favorite blanket... catch is, this is thr only time in my life I ever used the food saver to vaccuum seal anything... rolled and tied pillow and blanket and vaccuum sealed them to save room in my bag; work gloves; atlas; netbook; driving school info, HS diploma (I think I took it), SS card; Kindle and electronic chargers. Also had a battery pack I could plug in to the inverter and then pull it off later and use to charge my phone out and about.

 

Effingham is all torn up too, but at least there are mutliple truck stops lol

 

Yeah I have no clue what's going on. I know I'm supposed to go get an empty in Dalton. I think I am still on the Cheyenne load but the pickup is being pushed later? Which works cause I can stay home one more night and leave early in the morning.

I've got one of those hoses where you can add air to your tires using the tractor air lines. My awesome hubby modified it with a chuck so I can attach the tire nozzle or an air gun. This is overkill compared to the under the seat air gun lol! The slight inconvenience of having to get it out of the dog box and hook it up is worth the extra power cause it works way better!

 

I made it home. Will be here til Wed. Then out. I am supposed to start training again on the 25th. My next load is supposed to be Barnwell, Sc. to Mt. Vernon. I think they are giving me the DH miles from Mechanicsville which would make this week good if not I shouldn't be negative.

snjtrucker welcome to the thread. The Queen is awesome and always post stuff that helps us. Good luck in orientation which is the first 3 days then off the weekend then 4 days of backing then out with trainer for 7-11 days. DO NOT LEASE no matter how attractive they make it look, it is not easy and you really need a good knowledge of the industry. It is very easy to go negative and stay that way for a while. Go company and learn on their dime.

George sorry this past few weeks have stunk. Try to remember that it goes this way sometimes and the pendulum will swing back to good from the bad. Your doing great and keep that positive attitude as that is majority of the battle in this industry

Be safe out there

 

honeybadger I hope they pull their heads out of their butts long enough to get you rolling