Comments By Dave

Hello all.

Sorry it's been awhile since I've checked in.

Well a lot has happened. Starting out, we left Virginia ( Trainers home state) and I got my first coast to coast run. Lynchburg VA to Redlands CA (near LA). Then it was off to Sin City, Viva Las Vegas Baby!! ;-). Then right back to LA area, Van Nuys CA. From there we went to San Francisco. Dead headed to Salinas CA. Now we are rolling to Yuma Az and St Louis MO.

Needless to say my C-seat portion is flying by!!!

I've now experienced a long 6% down grade. What a teaching experience. Had another truck fly by us only to over take him at the bottom & his brakes where smoking like a chimney. I got to drive in fog on a curvy 2 lane hilly road near San Fran. Speaking of San Fran, nothing quite like 28 miles of bumper to bumper rush hour traffic 4 lanes across, where I saw 8th gear (briefly) twice.

I have to say I'm not a big fan of sleeping in a moving truck. It's been a week now and I hope I get more acclimated to it.

This training is amazing. It's full speed ahead & lets you experience so much so fast. No boredom here lol.

Well I'm gonna try to get some more shut eye!!!

Be safe all

David

Hi

I work for Wil-Trans which is Jim Palmer's sister company. Essentially one in the same. Matter of fact my recruiter is in Missoula (Jim Palmer) even though I went to training in Springfield MO ( Wil-Trans). As I understand it, the only diff in company names is JP runs mostly western US and WT eastern ( yet I'm in California as I write this lol)

I had zero experience and very little knowledge of the industry. I have had the best experience so far that a person can ask for. From recruiting, to initial training & passing CDL to now l, where I am team driving/training.

Check out the training diary section on here. There is a former teacher who is just starting at JP and so far has written some great posts on his experiences.

I'd definitely give JP/WT a good look. Hope this helped. Feel free to ask anything you want to know and I'll help if I can

Take care

David

Hi!

You are wise to pack as efficiently as you can.

I have a bag about that same size. I also brought along a small to medium back back. It had toilietries, note book etc. I would put on my bunk when driving & passenger seat when sleeping. (Also handy to carry clean close into truck stop when it's time to shower)

My trainer was pretty easy going about sharing space with me. I hear some trainers are not so understanding.

Pick up some baby wipes at some point. They are invaluable. Also if you need to purchase ANYTHING try to get it at a Walmart etc. I needed a laundry bag. I paid $4.95 at Walmart & saw the same one in a truck stop for $11.95.

Welcome aboard Wil-Trans/Jim Palmer. Coincidently I started training with Wil-Trans on the day you applied at Jim Palmer. My recruiter. Adam, is in Missoula & I had my 2nd interview with Jennifer (they were all super helpful & nice)

Interestingly I also left a decent career for a change. I've been a Paramedic for 28 years, becoming burnt out & decided it was time for a change.

Thanks you for writing and describing your experiences. They were very well written & I enjoyed them I hope the Shingles is resolving and you are feeling better ( it's a painful disease)

Good luck & be safe

David

Take a look at Wil-Trans/Jim Palmer. I stated here w/no experience or training on 9/30. I've since obtained a permit, went out for training for 3 weeks, passed CDL and am now back out w/my trainer for the next stage of training.

Everyone here has been amazing, patient, kind & helpful.

There is a company review & training review on this website. Give recruiting a call. They will answer any questions you might have.

Good luck

Dave

Thanks for the input guys. I've got up Shifting down and feel my down shifting has improved significantly.

Just wondering what the "average" learning curve is. Appreciate the help

Could anyone who is out of company training answer a question for me?

If you started company training with no experience, how long was it until you were up & down shifting adequately? I know even the most experienced Driver will miss a gear, I'm talking about practical real world competency.

Same with city driving & backing?

Thanks for any input

Dave

I confirmed with the head of training You MuST have your permit before going to prime, and before you can upgrade to TNT or solo if you are TNT now...you must get your CDL in home state.

So once you test out you will then Go home with your test scores to get the CDL.

If you have a MO CDL now in training you must go home and get home state CDL before you go solo.

Any word on why the change? I'm a MO resident but I know that when I was back in Springfield at Wil-Trans getting my CDL there was some kind of problem with MO license office & out of state trainees

Hi

While I am brand new to this career field (still in company training & just got my CDL) I am in the same boat you are.

After 28 years as a Paramedic and suffering from pretty bad burnout, I decided it was time for a change.

I will owe Wil-Trans 1 year of service after my training has ended. So I will decide at the end of that year if I want to stay. If it's not for me? Well then I got a year break from EMS, got to see a lot of new places & learned a new skill. I can always go back to EMS or try something new

Sorry I can't give specifics on the industry but I thought you might like to know another has been where you're at

Good luck!!

Dave

Anyone have any info, opinions on the Rand McNally TND 70 or 80? I've searched online and most reviews I've found were 9-12 months old.

Any input?

Thanks

Dave