Comments By FairyTales

I really should read the ENTIRE post before commenting. haha, and if there is a way to tag Brett, can you add a way to edit or delete your own posts? lol

Thanks to everyone for the awesome advice!

Old school you are so right! I didn't get to where I am by being a scaredy cat. I got here because I've got determination, strength and a little bit of tiger in me! I get to doubting myself and I am my own worst enemy.

So in light of everything that's been said, and with the support of my amazing husband, I have decided to stick this out and see it through. I had to dig deep and pull out my inner Chickie Monster but I know I can do this!

Hey girl, this wasn't TransAm was it?

So a small hotel bill in exchange for a company that will pay at least 5 grand more annually. Sounds like that hotel bill would be worth paying yourself.

My thoughts exactly. It makes more sense in the long run. I had a gut feeling from day one of orientation that this wasn't the right place for me and I wish now I had listened to it sooner. After a long conversation with my husband tonight I've decided to go ahead and leave tomorrow and start over. I still have some unemployment left to get me through but I hope to be in with my back up company as quick as possible.

I'm not the one to trash talk or bad mouth a company. And I don't have any reason to tell someone not to go with TransAm. Their equipment is amazing ( although I've discovered I don't really like the Kenworths. I've found myself missing the old beat up Freightshaker I drove in school!) and the perks are there. It's simply not the right fit for me personally.

My school I went to Sage, we used 48 foot trailers, what did anybody here use? How much of a learning curve is it to pull a 53 footer? I was a little peeved about using 48 footers.

Don't forget sunglasses and sunscreen if you burn easily! You will be outside in the sun for two to three days. Also a poncho or rain gear just in case. They don't stop training if it's raining.

Enough clothes for a week and some laundry soap. There is laundry facilities at the hotel but it's cheaper to do it at the terminal.

Snacks for the road and in the hotel.

Blankets or sleeping bag and a pillow.

I wouldn't suggest bringing a laptop as they can be a little bulky to store.

Bring some money for groceries and drinks. There is an atm at the terminal if you need it.

You will be spending the weekend in the hotel. You are right outside KC. I know several people from my class got an Uber and went into the city over the weekend.

Same with Florida, once you pass one section, you are done with it.

Hi! I'm attending a month long CDL course and am almost finished! I test in a week! Here's my question....one of my fellow classmates took her CDL test this morning and did awesome with pre-trip, and range skills testing, but failed the driving portion. Why does she have to re-take everything and not just the driving portion? I was told it is this way nationally....any thoughts?

You are SO AWSOME! My friend lives at the base near there, so maybe I'll go see him during the weekend. I can't wait to get my truck and make it my own. Preferably gonna put a tempurpedic in there. lol

Don't forget sunglasses and sunscreen if you burn easily! You will be outside in the sun for two to three days. Also a poncho or rain gear just in case. They don't stop training if it's raining.

Enough clothes for a week and some laundry soap. There is laundry facilities at the hotel but it's cheaper to do it at the terminal.

Snacks for the road and in the hotel.

Blankets or sleeping bag and a pillow.

I wouldn't suggest bringing a laptop as they can be a little bulky to store.

Bring some money for groceries and drinks. There is an atm at the terminal if you need it.

You will be spending the weekend in the hotel. You are right outside KC. I know several people from my class got an Uber and went into the city over the weekend.

I have. :) She's awesome, but somethings I asked weren't covered in those posts.

Look at ChickieMonsters thread in training diaries.

So I figured I would start a new topic about the Training location for TransAm in Olathe, KS. If there is already one, I'm sorry. I called the company today and they were going to send me to their TX location, but I have researched over and over but can't find many talks about that location, but I have read plenty of reviews about their Olathe location, so she agreed, she would get to the KS if I wanted. For anybody reading this, what was your experience with the Olathe, KS location, what was your experience with the TX location? Things I should expect, from training to driving, how are the trainers? things I should bring, things I should probably leave at home, etc... I am really excited to start with TransAm, so I wanna be prepared the best I can so I can give everything my 110%

So I just got off the phone with TranAm, and they said they can send me to KS if want to. So I'm pretty much leaning to go there. I've heard good things from that location.

The testing is a driving course followed by several backing exercises. You have plenty of time to practice the course and they will spend extra time with you if you need it. There is also a very short (15-20) road test through Olathe. They take 2 students at a time and I would definitely suggest being the first student of the 2 to drive as there is a tough turn in the second half. Watch your mirrors on the turns and make sure you call out all the road signs.

I go into a lot more detail in the thread on orientation.

A word of advice: pay attention to the trainers when they are explaining the course! It's a bit confusing at first but watch a few times if you can and it gets a lot easier to understand.

Thanks for that fast reply! You're awesome! What about that general knowledge test? open book? I DO KNOW I will need some help with certain backing maneuvers. I called and talked with my recruiter about requesting to go to Olathe KS, she said it wasn't likely, since I'm closer to TX. :/

The testing is a driving course followed by several backing exercises. You have plenty of time to practice the course and they will spend extra time with you if you need it. There is also a very short (15-20) road test through Olathe. They take 2 students at a time and I would definitely suggest being the first student of the 2 to drive as there is a tough turn in the second half. Watch your mirrors on the turns and make sure you call out all the road signs.

I go into a lot more detail in the thread on orientation.

A word of advice: pay attention to the trainers when they are explaining the course! It's a bit confusing at first but watch a few times if you can and it gets a lot easier to understand.

I have read ALL your posts. WHEW! But could you elaborate on the testing stuff at the company? If you remember, I mentioned my test anxiety. :/ I was watching YouTube videos about TransAm. How does the testing work? When is it? General Knowledge test? Backing test? The guy in the youtube said one of his classmate got sent home because he fails some test, but did say what part. See here I go.

Everyone in the training department is awesome. They really take to time to help if you need a little extra work on something. I'd be willing to bet you can request to come to Kansas. They fly people in from all over the east coast.

Most of the driver trainers are excellent too. They know that they only have a short time with their students and they want to help them succeed. I say most because there are a few that are just in it for the miles. Make sure you get your trainer to let you do ALL the backing as you won't get too many opportunities in 11 days.