Comments By Bigdubber

Anybody know anything about millis? I am starting school with them in may. Just wanted to see if anyone has been there.

Sorry, I can't give you any "first hand knowledge"... but for what it's worth, I have been doing rather extensive research on the various companies out there and most of what I have found on MTI has been praise and kudos! From those I would say you have made a good choice.

May I also encourage you to just go into this with an firm conviction that no matter what, you will give it your all, be confident in yourself, be coachable and willing to learn all you can; brush off any and all non important things (instead of dwelling on it and deterring your attitude and confidence)keep your "eye on the end result".

Good luck and "stay the coarse".

God bless and be safe.

Day 1: Orientation

...I will update you on tomorrows excitement as soon as possible. If you have any questions then please feel free to ask!

Great! I (we) appreciate you taking the time to keep "us" in the loop!

I forget, where are you doing your orientation? (your comment about tornado warning peaked my curiosity).

God bless and be safe!

Bigdubber,

1) I chose Crete after a lot of research and speaking with various companies. I chose what I thought would be best for me. I visited one of their terminals before making my decision. Everyone was friendly and very helpful. Their recruiter spent 2 hours talking to me and another of my classmates. Were else will you get that attention? They also had one of the best starting CPM and training pay. I felt confident they would be a great training company, and possibly career company. I have only heard good things about them!

2) I graduated Feb. 25. I was working full time while going to school. I did not want to burn any bridges, so I put in a 2 weeks notice at my employer. Which gets us to March 11.I had vacation time built up so I used that payout to get prepared for going OTR. I have a house and wife to take care of before leaving. I needed time to get caught up after working full time and going to school full time at the same time.

Crete understood my situation and was fine with me having to wait to start training. I also feel very confident in my training from school, and believe I will be able to hop back in the truck with no problem.

Thanks for the reply.

You seem to be "in charge." I commend you on being able to "sift through all the BS" and follow your path for works for you and your family's life.

I look forward to "following" your progress (and challenges) in your new chapter in life.

God bless you and yours always, and be safe! ~Bigdubber

Yes, thank you Hawkman for sharing... such posts are so helpful to those of "us" on the outside looking in.

I have not yet committed to any particular company yet, but Swift is on my (very) short list... so again, thanks.

I look forward to hearing more of your "adventure".

God bless and be safe! ~Bigdubber

I concur with those before... so just remain positive and keep your eye on the goal, be confident in yourself, and things will just fall into place (eventually! ).

Good luck and keep us "posted"!

God bless and be safe! ~Bigdubber

Hey TruckingTruth,

Well the time has officially come. I am at the company provided motel room, and ready to begin orientation/training tomorrow. I am in a private room with a king size bed, wifi, microwave, mini fridge, coffee pot, safe, tv, and desk. I am very pleased with the stay. I will be here for 3-4 days before leaving out with a trainer for 8 weeks worth of training. I am also provided meals during my stay. I will receive 3-4 days hometime halfway through training. I will update you on the process of day 1 and what it consists of tomorrow. I will also be writing about my experiences in the CDL Training Diaries forum. Please follow along! I will do my best to answer any questions that you may have.

Congrats and sounds good so far! I look forward to following your "progress".

God bless and be safe! ~Bigdubber

Hi guys, Its been a while. Very different looking forum. `

Anyway I thought I would post an update. I have very much enjoyed being a trainer since I started that. I have met some very interesting people. Mostly all good. All of my trainees so far have been easy to get along with. It is cool watching someone who has struggled and then it finally clicks and they get it.

My lease at Stevens is coming to an end and I have been giving a lot of thought over the last few months as to what I want to do next. Should I lease again? Should I stay at Stevens or move on? Where do i want to be in say ... 5 years? How will I get there?

Leasing at Stevens I really had 2 goals and I reached them both. First I wanted to make more money than I would have had I stayed Company and I have by quite a bit. Second I wanted to learn as much as I could about running a truck as a business and I feel I have accomplished that as well. It has been a challenge at times but overall it has been a rewarding experience.

So we come to the "now" and after doing lots of research and talking it over with my wife I have decided not to lease again, but instead I am going to purchase a truck from Stevens and Im going to stay there for at least the next 2 years.

Im buying a 2010 KW T2000, Cummins ISX 15 / 450HP, 13 speed Eaton Fuller. Its funny to me that Im going back to the very first truck I started out in at Stevens, only it had a Cat Engine. I am very much looking forward to overcoming the challenges ahead and I fully expect to be even more profitable than before. Some will scoff at this idea, and that is fine. I have a very well laid out plan for getting through the next 5 years. Im sure there will be bumps and maybe even a few detours from that path but ultimately I will accomplish what I have set out before me.

Good luck to you all and hello to my old friends on here.

Firstly, I tip my hat to you (and anyone) for doing the "trainer" thing... it takes a "special kind" to be able to do that (and do the trainee right!)

Secondly, no "scoffing" from me... again, I tip my hat to ya for doing the lease thing. For the record, it really irks me to no end when a "fellow trucker" will (and it is found abundantly in various "forums") resort to "name calling" and worse to those that go into the lease program. I haven't and won't deny them the right to their "opinion", as human beings it is everyone's right to have one. BUT, that is all it is, really, THEIR opinion. Leasing is like so many other "choices" in life, it will work for some, and it won't for others. There is NOTHING wrong with that. To "name call" and worse, is unbecoming of a "fellow trucker" and they ought to be ashamed of themselves, and all it does is give "truck drivers" a bad light in those "on the outside looking in".

I pray you the best in your "new chapter" in life.

I hope you will find the time to keep "us" informed of how your "new chapter" goes.

God bless and keep safe. ~Bigdubber

... And if the top bunk has a restraint system, your'll probably sleep there while your trainer drives.

I was under the impression that sleeping in the top bunk while the truck is moving was "illegal"... am I misinformed?

What is the round object on the right side of the frame??

My guess is that has something to do with the "DEF"... but I like the idea of the canister for a "turkey frier!!"

E.M. thanks so much for sharing your day to day "adventure". Posts such as this is so very helpful for those of "us" on the outside looking in.

I am one that is seriously considering applying to Swift, so it is so encouraging and refreshing to read of your experiences, (there is so much negative things to be found, not just with Swift but most companies on the net it gets frustrating and discouraging!) I really appreciate you taking the time to share "what it's really like".

My sincere CONGRATS on your swift (pun intended! ) learning the new "life style". Rooting for you!

God bless and be safe!