Sunday May 4, 2008
Finished at Crowder
Here is a recap of what has transpired so far:
Last Sunday: Arrived at Joplin on the bus where we are picked up by cabs and taken to Quality Inn where we spend the night.
Monday: Picked up on a Con-Way bus and taken to headquarters. We spend all day at orientation. Around 5:00 PM we are then taken to Noesho’s Booneslick Lodge.
Tuesday: First day at Crowder week long boot camp. Everyone is anxious and wonder if they have learned enough at their school to make it through this week. After learning that we get the opportunity to go through each exercise before testing the anxiety is lessoned. We also learn that the instructors here are good and they work to help you succeed. If you try you can make it.
Wednesday: We do a commentary road trip plus more shifting and backing on the range.
Thursday: 3:30 AM road trip plus more of the same training on the range.
Friday: We were scheduled for skid pad but canceled because of wind. We did more training on the range and obstacle course.
Saturday: Skills test.
Sunday: Finished test and get back to Booneslick early.
Note: we do test almost everyday. The written tests are rather easy. We also do a pre-trip test. It will be about the same as what you have already done but with less detail.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Finished All My Tests
Saturday, May 03, 2008
Finished All My Tests
I finished all my tests today. I had a written test first and then off the road test. I amazed myself at how much more confidence I had today in my driving abilities than I had a week ago. Next I did the backing test, scored a hundred on it. Then the obstacle course, the last test, I was getting cocky by then but did well. I lost a ten pointer because I got greedy and instead of settling for a 8 or 9 points went for the 10 and went past a line by 3 or 4 inches and go a 0 for that score. I still passed with a seventy when only forty was required to pass. I enjoyed the obstacle course. We also did some hook and drops and sliding tandems. It was a short day; we left at 3:00.
Tomorrow will be a short day. A few boot campers still have the obstacle test to complete. I will try to get my laundry done so that I get started on the road without having to deal with it for a while. I hope that I can get out with the trainer Monday.
Finished All My Tests
I finished all my tests today. I had a written test first and then off the road test. I amazed myself at how much more confidence I had today in my driving abilities than I had a week ago. Next I did the backing test, scored a hundred on it. Then the obstacle course, the last test, I was getting cocky by then but did well. I lost a ten pointer because I got greedy and instead of settling for a 8 or 9 points went for the 10 and went past a line by 3 or 4 inches and go a 0 for that score. I still passed with a seventy when only forty was required to pass. I enjoyed the obstacle course. We also did some hook and drops and sliding tandems. It was a short day; we left at 3:00.
Tomorrow will be a short day. A few boot campers still have the obstacle test to complete. I will try to get my laundry done so that I get started on the road without having to deal with it for a while. I hope that I can get out with the trainer Monday.
Friday, May 2, 2008
We Missed the Skid Pad
Friday, May 02, 2008
We Missed the Skid Pad
A lot has happened since Tuesday. It has been a real hurricane week of lessons, tests, and driving. We have covered so much it is hard to take it all in. We missed the skid pad that was scheduled for today and everyone was disappointed. We had a storm front and it has been windy for the last three days. The wind would blow the water away so the skid pad was canceled. Con-Way sends all the drivers through the training so it will be rescheduled but we will miss it for now. Thursday we did the early morning drive and that went well but we did have to contend with the strong winds. Tomorrow we do a road test, the backing test, and get started with the obstacle course test and a written test. We finish the testing Sunday and get the remainder of the day off. It is hard to believe that it has only been a week with all that we have done.
We Missed the Skid Pad
A lot has happened since Tuesday. It has been a real hurricane week of lessons, tests, and driving. We have covered so much it is hard to take it all in. We missed the skid pad that was scheduled for today and everyone was disappointed. We had a storm front and it has been windy for the last three days. The wind would blow the water away so the skid pad was canceled. Con-Way sends all the drivers through the training so it will be rescheduled but we will miss it for now. Thursday we did the early morning drive and that went well but we did have to contend with the strong winds. Tomorrow we do a road test, the backing test, and get started with the obstacle course test and a written test. We finish the testing Sunday and get the remainder of the day off. It is hard to believe that it has only been a week with all that we have done.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Crowder College
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Crowder College
Today was an awesome day. The day started with everyone having a lot of anxiety about how they were going to do and wondering whether they would be on a bus home before the end of the day. We left the hotel at 7:00 AM and taken to the college to a class room. We had a couple of quick classes. One was on shifting a 13 speed transmission and the other on logging. Of the fourteen people in class none had driven a 13 speed and most had very little knowledge of logging. Some had none. Most were getting pretty stressed by now. After the classes we had lunch at the college cafeteria paid for by CWTL and then to the driving range. We get three meals a day here on CWTL. This is some driving range. It is an old military base with roads everywhere that no one uses except the school. Lined up was a bunch of KenWorth T2000’s, old (2002-2004) CFI trucks. We had three instructors here. We had had two back at the class room. They went with each of us once around the course showing us how to up shift, down shift, and do gear recoveries then they let us go on our own. We switched off on three trucks driving till 5:00. We always have at least two in the truck in case we need to back excreta. By the end of the day the confidence level has risen tremendous and everyone believed that they would make it. Everyone was happy, working hard and having a good time.
Tomorrow we are scheduled to go out driving on a verbalization drive. What that means is that we talk the whole time we are driving about what is around us, what we see, potential hazards, road signs, excreta. It teaches us to get it into our mind instead of just seeing and forgetting it.
Thursday we are picked up at the hotel in the trucks at 3:30 AM to go driving down town on a night drive and then to breakfast at the college and then more driving.
Friday – Fun Day - We hit the skid pad. They have a large slick concrete pad that they flood with water. We practice skidding out and recovering from the skid. We are all excited about getting to do this.
Saturday driving test: Enough said for now.
Sunday: We do an obstacle course and finish by noon. We have the rest of the day off.
Monday: We go back to Con-Way for our finial orientation and to get with our trainers. We do 7500 miles with the trainer and we drive them all. The trainer does no driving but is their just to train us. After that we come back to get our own truck, KenWorth T600.
This is a great company. We have been treated really great here and the training that they give a new driver is second to none. I am excited about this opportunity to be here. Even if I were not to make it I would highly recommend to any student to come here. This week of training is something that will stay with me forever regardless of whom I might drive for but if I can make it I will be with CWTL.
Crowder College
Today was an awesome day. The day started with everyone having a lot of anxiety about how they were going to do and wondering whether they would be on a bus home before the end of the day. We left the hotel at 7:00 AM and taken to the college to a class room. We had a couple of quick classes. One was on shifting a 13 speed transmission and the other on logging. Of the fourteen people in class none had driven a 13 speed and most had very little knowledge of logging. Some had none. Most were getting pretty stressed by now. After the classes we had lunch at the college cafeteria paid for by CWTL and then to the driving range. We get three meals a day here on CWTL. This is some driving range. It is an old military base with roads everywhere that no one uses except the school. Lined up was a bunch of KenWorth T2000’s, old (2002-2004) CFI trucks. We had three instructors here. We had had two back at the class room. They went with each of us once around the course showing us how to up shift, down shift, and do gear recoveries then they let us go on our own. We switched off on three trucks driving till 5:00. We always have at least two in the truck in case we need to back excreta. By the end of the day the confidence level has risen tremendous and everyone believed that they would make it. Everyone was happy, working hard and having a good time.
Tomorrow we are scheduled to go out driving on a verbalization drive. What that means is that we talk the whole time we are driving about what is around us, what we see, potential hazards, road signs, excreta. It teaches us to get it into our mind instead of just seeing and forgetting it.
Thursday we are picked up at the hotel in the trucks at 3:30 AM to go driving down town on a night drive and then to breakfast at the college and then more driving.
Friday – Fun Day - We hit the skid pad. They have a large slick concrete pad that they flood with water. We practice skidding out and recovering from the skid. We are all excited about getting to do this.
Saturday driving test: Enough said for now.
Sunday: We do an obstacle course and finish by noon. We have the rest of the day off.
Monday: We go back to Con-Way for our finial orientation and to get with our trainers. We do 7500 miles with the trainer and we drive them all. The trainer does no driving but is their just to train us. After that we come back to get our own truck, KenWorth T600.
This is a great company. We have been treated really great here and the training that they give a new driver is second to none. I am excited about this opportunity to be here. Even if I were not to make it I would highly recommend to any student to come here. This week of training is something that will stay with me forever regardless of whom I might drive for but if I can make it I will be with CWTL.
Monday, April 28, 2008
First day of orientation at CWTL
Monday, April 28, 2008
First day of orientation at CWTL
Today was okay but very busy. The bus picked us up at 6:15 to take us to headquarters. We did paper work and then went for drug test and physicals. I had a problem with my physical. My blood sugar was too high so I didn’t pass. I get to take it again. I didn’t know that there was going to be a problem or I could have eaten better. I had eaten all the wrong stuff just before the test. I am cutting out all bread, starches, and sugars to get it down. I was just barely over so it should be okay but it does mean that I am going to have to watch what I eat. I have gone on a diet and lost 15 lbs but gained 5 of it back. I have to lose weight and get more exercise.
We move to Booneslick Lodge that is close to Crowder. Tomorrow we start training there for a week before going with a trainer. I am sure that it is going to be full days.
First day of orientation at CWTL
Today was okay but very busy. The bus picked us up at 6:15 to take us to headquarters. We did paper work and then went for drug test and physicals. I had a problem with my physical. My blood sugar was too high so I didn’t pass. I get to take it again. I didn’t know that there was going to be a problem or I could have eaten better. I had eaten all the wrong stuff just before the test. I am cutting out all bread, starches, and sugars to get it down. I was just barely over so it should be okay but it does mean that I am going to have to watch what I eat. I have gone on a diet and lost 15 lbs but gained 5 of it back. I have to lose weight and get more exercise.
We move to Booneslick Lodge that is close to Crowder. Tomorrow we start training there for a week before going with a trainer. I am sure that it is going to be full days.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
The Gray Dog to Joplin
Sunday, April 27, 2008
The Gray Dog to Joplin
I left Saturday at 7:05 PM from Cookeville, TN for a scheduled 19 ½ hours to Joplin, Missouri. I hadn’t realized how many people that use the buses for travel. Every leg of the trip has been filled to capacitive except the last. Here are a few pointers for making the bus trip: First they are not reliable so give your self plenty of extra time. I have lucked out and not had any major delays but I met several people that have. Their bus has been late for a connection and then they get stuck for hours waiting for the next ride. Don’t plan it too close. Second: They don’t transfer you luggage, you do it so make it easy on yourself and don’t take too much. The overhead compartments are smaller that on a plane. A pillow comes in handy while traveling on a long trip. Third: Bring food and water, it isn’t easy to get what you need and the costs in the bus depots are a rip off. I brought 3 bottles of water and I ran out. Overall it was a rough trip.
You spend a lot of time on the bus so you meet the people around you. I met several truck drivers on the trip. Some were going to Fort Smith, Arkansas for USA Trucks. I met some that were headed to Conway in Joplin, and some going on to TMC in Des Moines Iowa. In the short time that I have been involved with trucking I have met some very nice people.
When we got to the bus station in Joplin we were picked up in vans by a local cab company. We were then taken to Quality Inn and given rooms. We share 2 to a room. Conway has shuttles that run regular routes around Joplin that you can take for free. Also if you need to go somewhere that is not on the route you can take the cab company for free. Tomorrow we get picked up by a shuttle at 6:15 and taken to the CFI/Conway offices to do our paper work, do our drug test, and get checked into the hotel were we will be staying during the week orientation. It seems that everyone has different information but all that should be clearer tomorrow. They are about 20 of us here.
We will be doing driving test this week also. Clutch to neutral, …….???? There is more to that but at 60 the memories get short!!!! HEEEELP!!! hold to 1000RPM, clutch and do gear recovery. Yes that’s it.
The Gray Dog to Joplin
I left Saturday at 7:05 PM from Cookeville, TN for a scheduled 19 ½ hours to Joplin, Missouri. I hadn’t realized how many people that use the buses for travel. Every leg of the trip has been filled to capacitive except the last. Here are a few pointers for making the bus trip: First they are not reliable so give your self plenty of extra time. I have lucked out and not had any major delays but I met several people that have. Their bus has been late for a connection and then they get stuck for hours waiting for the next ride. Don’t plan it too close. Second: They don’t transfer you luggage, you do it so make it easy on yourself and don’t take too much. The overhead compartments are smaller that on a plane. A pillow comes in handy while traveling on a long trip. Third: Bring food and water, it isn’t easy to get what you need and the costs in the bus depots are a rip off. I brought 3 bottles of water and I ran out. Overall it was a rough trip.
You spend a lot of time on the bus so you meet the people around you. I met several truck drivers on the trip. Some were going to Fort Smith, Arkansas for USA Trucks. I met some that were headed to Conway in Joplin, and some going on to TMC in Des Moines Iowa. In the short time that I have been involved with trucking I have met some very nice people.
When we got to the bus station in Joplin we were picked up in vans by a local cab company. We were then taken to Quality Inn and given rooms. We share 2 to a room. Conway has shuttles that run regular routes around Joplin that you can take for free. Also if you need to go somewhere that is not on the route you can take the cab company for free. Tomorrow we get picked up by a shuttle at 6:15 and taken to the CFI/Conway offices to do our paper work, do our drug test, and get checked into the hotel were we will be staying during the week orientation. It seems that everyone has different information but all that should be clearer tomorrow. They are about 20 of us here.
We will be doing driving test this week also. Clutch to neutral, …….???? There is more to that but at 60 the memories get short!!!! HEEEELP!!! hold to 1000RPM, clutch and do gear recovery. Yes that’s it.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
My Last Day at Home
Saturday, April 26, 2008
My Last Day at Home
I leave this afternoon for my bus ride. I feel like I am heading to boot camp. Anxious is an understatement of how I feel. I am anxious for many reasons. For one: leaving home and leaving my wife here alone, she isn’t one to resolve problems on her own. Second: I am anxious about how I will do. I wished that I could have had much more driving time.
I got me a new laptop computer that I am taking so I will try to keep my blog up to date. It has WI-FI but I don’t know how much I will be connected. When I get my own truck I am going to get the Verizon Wireless. I am still on a budget and trying to save what I can till I get some income started. I will update at my next connection about the trip.
My Last Day at Home
I leave this afternoon for my bus ride. I feel like I am heading to boot camp. Anxious is an understatement of how I feel. I am anxious for many reasons. For one: leaving home and leaving my wife here alone, she isn’t one to resolve problems on her own. Second: I am anxious about how I will do. I wished that I could have had much more driving time.
I got me a new laptop computer that I am taking so I will try to keep my blog up to date. It has WI-FI but I don’t know how much I will be connected. When I get my own truck I am going to get the Verizon Wireless. I am still on a budget and trying to save what I can till I get some income started. I will update at my next connection about the trip.
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