The weekend is finally here. Part of me is thankful, but the other part of me wishes that I could be out on the hill right now. It gets VERY boring sitting around the hotel. I am literally walking around the hotel just to get a change of scenery!
Today, we did our map reading/trip planning class. It took 5 hours to get through this class, but it is a lot of information to soak up. Don't buy a road atlas until you're out with your trainer. There's no need to and the instructors are going to make you use theirs anyways.
They moved me and 9 other students to night shift starting Monday. We will be going to school from 3pm-11pm. I am very happy about this as it will give us a lot more 1 on 1 training with the instructors. There are a few people in my class who have not gone around the track more than once. I was lucky in the fact that I was able to go around 3 times! So this split will definitely help out with that. I am also happy that going to the DMV will no longer cut into class time as we will be able to go before school. I will be able to finish up with the DMV on Monday, but a lot of the others still have 4 or more tests to take and will be going for the majority of next week.
I will finally get to go to Wal Mart tomorrow so that I can get some groceries. I am also going out to eat tomorrow night with the in-laws. Other than that, I have absolutely no idea what to do for the weekend. I don't know what's on the schedule for Monday, but I'm 99% sure we are done with the classroom stuff...so it should involve driving!
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Day 4
We finally got to drive today! It's such a sense of accomplishment for all of us after all of the testing and paperwork we have done over the past few days. I do have to say that it is incredibly mind boggling to think that we are going to be pulling 53' trailers around Dallas in less than a week from now. We also learned the pre-trip and went back to the DMV (DPS.) I was able to pass my general knowledge and airbrakes exams yesterday so only 2 more exams for me! Hint: The quicker you get these exams finished, the more driving time you'll have.
Tomorrow is only a 5 hour day. We are doing map reading/trip planning for the First part of class. I hope that we get to go back out to the hill today to continue driving...
Tomorrow is only a 5 hour day. We are doing map reading/trip planning for the First part of class. I hope that we get to go back out to the hill today to continue driving...
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Day 3
Today was yet again filled with more paperwork. We had the FMCSA quiz this morning. We filled out our student contracts today. We also received our First pay advance for food. At the end of the day, they sent us over to the dmv to take our cdl special requirements test so we could get our permit. I think all but a couple passed with no issues.
We filled out what Steven's calls a "Canadian Declarations" page today. Basically they want you to tell them about any arrests that you have ever had. They do this so that they can determine whether or not you will have an issue crossing the border. Don't lie on it. You will get caught sooner or later...and the last thing you want is to get held at the border with a load because you got arrested when you were 13 years old and didn't tell Steven's about it! Then, you will not only be quite embarrassed, but most likely fired as well!
There were 5 more people that got placed on medical hold today. 3 for vision, 1 for a stress test due to a previous heart attack, and one for a fit-to-work test and sleep study because of his bmi. 2 people on the vision list actually had to go buy glasses to continue. We also got 3 new people from the class ahead that were held back.
On a positive note, we found out today that Steven's just purchased 500 brand new Kenworth T700's. They are getting rid of the T2000's quite rapidly, so the chances of getting a close-to-new truck right out of training is very good right now. Irregardless, all of Steven's equipment that I have seen is in great shape.
Tomorrow, we head back over to the dmv to continue our tests (5 total.) We might actually start learning how to drive a truck here soon as well...after all, that's why we're here right?!
Until tomorrow...
We filled out what Steven's calls a "Canadian Declarations" page today. Basically they want you to tell them about any arrests that you have ever had. They do this so that they can determine whether or not you will have an issue crossing the border. Don't lie on it. You will get caught sooner or later...and the last thing you want is to get held at the border with a load because you got arrested when you were 13 years old and didn't tell Steven's about it! Then, you will not only be quite embarrassed, but most likely fired as well!
There were 5 more people that got placed on medical hold today. 3 for vision, 1 for a stress test due to a previous heart attack, and one for a fit-to-work test and sleep study because of his bmi. 2 people on the vision list actually had to go buy glasses to continue. We also got 3 new people from the class ahead that were held back.
On a positive note, we found out today that Steven's just purchased 500 brand new Kenworth T700's. They are getting rid of the T2000's quite rapidly, so the chances of getting a close-to-new truck right out of training is very good right now. Irregardless, all of Steven's equipment that I have seen is in great shape.
Tomorrow, we head back over to the dmv to continue our tests (5 total.) We might actually start learning how to drive a truck here soon as well...after all, that's why we're here right?!
Until tomorrow...
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Day 2
Wow is time flying by!! We took the drug screen and D.O.T physical this morning, and then we went over hours of service this afternoon. The drug screen was done onsite at the school, and the results take less than 24 hours. The physical was done offsite at a Drs. office. Again, it was a relatively painless process. The only big thing is that Steven's recommends that you fast before the physical. That means nothing that can raise your blood pressure like coffee, cigarettes, or breakfast. Something to keep in mind. We also individually met with a recruiter today so that she could go over our applications in preparation for our "interview" next Monday. I write that jokingly since, if we graduate the school, we are guaranteed a job with them.
We lost 2 guys today. One of them left for family issues, and I don't know why the other one left. That brings our class size to 39. Another guy got put on medical hold due to his BMI (yes, they check it.) He has to complete a sleep study to see if he has sleep apnea. The study costs $1800.00/night. Like everything else, Steven's will pay for it initially, but you have to pay them back.
I did want to go into the whole cost thing a little bit since there seemed to be a lot of confusion from several different people. Stevens will pay for you needs up front, but they expect you to pay them back...for everything. Travel, food, lodging, schooling...everything. Something to definitely keep in mind when making your decision.
Tomorrow, we take 2 tests. One regarding the FMCSA, and the other is for our CDL permit. We also get our First pay advance tomorrow, and our red (student) Stevens cap. Basically when you get that, it means you're in the school and you've passed the physical and stuff. Until tomorrow night, take care!
We lost 2 guys today. One of them left for family issues, and I don't know why the other one left. That brings our class size to 39. Another guy got put on medical hold due to his BMI (yes, they check it.) He has to complete a sleep study to see if he has sleep apnea. The study costs $1800.00/night. Like everything else, Steven's will pay for it initially, but you have to pay them back.
I did want to go into the whole cost thing a little bit since there seemed to be a lot of confusion from several different people. Stevens will pay for you needs up front, but they expect you to pay them back...for everything. Travel, food, lodging, schooling...everything. Something to definitely keep in mind when making your decision.
Tomorrow, we take 2 tests. One regarding the FMCSA, and the other is for our CDL permit. We also get our First pay advance tomorrow, and our red (student) Stevens cap. Basically when you get that, it means you're in the school and you've passed the physical and stuff. Until tomorrow night, take care!
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Day 1
Today consisted of nothing but paperwork. We did get to take a tour of the facilities today...man is this a big place! Tomorrow, we take the D.O.T physical/drug screen. I'm really interested to see how many people make it through tomorrow. We currently have a class of 41 people, but I have a feeling that that number will be getting much smaller over the coming weeks. It amazes me how many people came into this so unprepared for it. Several people had absolutely no idea about Steven's policies, and more than a few showed up to class without the required stuff (money, birth certificate...)
Well, that's all for tonight. I have to wake up at 4am tomorrow because we have to be in class at 6am instead of 7. Tomorrow, I will write more for you all.
Well, that's all for tonight. I have to wake up at 4am tomorrow because we have to be in class at 6am instead of 7. Tomorrow, I will write more for you all.
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