Comments By MyNameGoesHere

As the saying goes, if it sounds to good to be true then is usually is. That being said, as everyone else has pointed out it just sounds like they've got an empty seat to fill and they thought you'd be a good fit.

As long as you don't sign a contract and you leave your current company on good terms, then there won't be any reason you can't just leave the job if you don't like it and go back to your current one. Is my thoughts on it.

Also, ask them questions if you're not sure or curious about something. Just don't wait to long or they'll fill it before you get a chance.

From an outside, rookie, perspective, I think you handled it the best you could considering the circumstances. Finally standing up to your mentor I'm sure took a lot especially after his comments about how he's threatened previous students. Unless you can see the future (doubtful), there's no way of telling how it would have played out. How you approached it could have helped a lot too. Your actions may have made him a better mentor, not just for you but for many students following. On a side note, his threatening previous students could just have been his way to make sure they don't drive 3 miles down a boardwalk or forget to 'swing wide it's a trailer' moment.

In any case, KUDOS to you.

Easiest way would be to use photobucket, imgur or something similar for picture sharing. You'll have to create an account. From there you can upload pics and then use the direct link to post in the thread.

Not sure if Brett host his own server or not but, it would keep any necessary data storage on his end as low as possible if he's not having to host the images too. Even website hosting services typically charge for storage in a similar manner the cellphone company's charging for data usage.

As someone who is still about a week away from going out with a mentor, myself, I think you handled it quite admirably. As much as it sucks for you to have to go through that, I (at the very least if not other people) appreciate that the situation was posted here (even if you were just asking for advice) it gives the rest of us a chance to learn from the situation. I think a red flag for me would have been hearing about the threats towards previous students. On a side note, his telling you of this tells us one thing, he didn't threaten you (yet) which is probably his way of complimenting (haha). At the very least, he was pre-threatening to give you warning of what might happen of his possible future threats and what lead up to them. In the end, like others have said on TT, it's your butt on the line and you need to take care of you.

Best Wishes

Could be another pest, if you have animals fleas would come to mind. Could be an allergic reaction to something in the truck causing the itching or rash.

Thanks, thanks and thanks. I'm glad to have passed it and get that part all done and moved on to the next phase.

My goal with the diary was to be as detailed as possible without giving so much that it is boring to read. If something doesn't hold my attention I end up glossing over things, especially long text. Typically I just start at the beginning then I just get carried away. Sometimes I have to go back and edit or delete ling winded or overly detailed stuff. I did push myself to write something each day while it is fresh in my head even when I was tired and just wanted to relax and sleep. I try and keep the information I give from an un-biased perspective. That way anyone reading it and going into it won't go in with a predetermined outlook. I want to put in enough detail that someone would have an idea or understanding of what happens and what to expect. While the basic fundamentals are going to be the same across the board, each school or academy does things differently. We had one guy transfer from the Memphis school and I heard about the differences between the two. Even now I edit long winded bits out.

I would like to post a review of the Kansas City school but, I want to wait a day or two to try and make sure I keep it as un-biased as possible. Overall, I would say from what I've experienced at the Swift Kansas City School, I highly recommend it if given the option. Even if it means waiting a bit longer to start. More details to come.

Day 16

Today was simple. Main goal of today is to go to DMV and pass their stuff.

Just as any other day, catch up logs and head out and pre-trip the trucks. Only real difference was there was 4 of us sent to pre-trip one truck since 4 of us were leaving on said truck shortly. This truck had to be road worthy and ready to be used for DMV skills test. As soon as the instructor was ready to take us out, we left. Of the 4 of us, only 2 were testing. The other 2 were being taken out for some road time. So we got cheaufferred to and from the DMV with some minor detours. It was these guys second time out on the road and only their first time out on ACTUAL main roads with traffic and traffic lights. Before was first day shifting and just getting used to it. That was done last Friday. Today got a little choppy but we all survived, which was one of their goals, not kill us and get us there in one piece (mostly).

We arrived at the DMV to begin our first journey into the trucking industry of hurry up and wait. Haha. They were finishing up with another guy. Once they got him set up to start his skills stuff, it was then my turn. Paperwork, fees, blah blah blah. Then out to the truck we went. I put my things in the truck while he did his thing.

When he was ready he then explained what exactly we were doing and that for the pre-trip we won't be doing the whole truck. My extra part that was given was windshield to the back of the tractor. Then the usual, coupling, in cab, and air brakes test/check/whatever it's called. I am properly mounted......well, you get the point. I passed the pre-trip and now on to maneuvers.

We climbed up in the truck. Of course after he had said to relax, don't worry, take it easy, at this moment said "if you stall and kill the engine or hit a curb it's an automatic failure". I of course knew this already but now it's burrowing into my nerves making me more nervous. We then move around to the maneuvers part of their lot and he guides me to where he wants me and then explains what I need to do. Shortened version, straight line backing (everyone will do this), then he had me do off-set from right side to left side. Next was blind side parallel. Each time he has you secure the truck and get out as he explains your next maneuver. This is the part to listen carefully to. He then asks if you have any questions. This is the part to ask any questions you may have. If you missed an instruction or didn't understand exactly what he wanted, whatever the question may be. No worries here, once explained I knew exactly what I needed to do, where my boundaries were, how many get outs and looks, and how many pull-ups I had for each maneuver. I passed the maneuvers with 0 points. Just to brag a little (mostly at how well the head instructor explains things) I did the blind side parallel so well that he asked if I had someone do that for me. Haha. Next, road course.

Yet again the reminder, stall the truck or hit a curb it's an auto fail. Yet again, I knew this but hearing it from the examiner only helped add to the nerves. Drove the course, did an emergency stop and he asked some knowledge questions about it. He also asked for explanation of doing a non-hazmat railroad crossing. I answered. That part was easy since railroads GRT drilled into your head for school busses. So basically adjust the info to not stopping and I'm good. I passed.

End result, somehow I managed to trick the state of Kansas into giving me a class A CDL.

At this point it was a waiting game to see if the other guy passed. Which he did. Then we were cheaufferred back by first time drivers. When we returned the two of us got processed out and away we went. We both start orientation at the Edwardsville terminal on Monday.

Yay me!

To be continued.....

Next Monday as I begin my journey through orientation and mentor training. How exciting. For now, some home time.

Just the opinion of someone on the tail end of my company sponsored training.

I don't know about this "free agent" nonsense but, I certainly don't feel "enslaved" to my company I chose myself. My contract doesn't force me to stay there. I can CHOOSE to leave if I so desire. Sure, if I do it'll cost me the amount of schooling but by no means did I sell myself into slavery.

I chose the company sponsored route do to financial reasons. Also, like Susan has said, why spend my own money when I don't have to (or have it). The only benefit I saw with paying my own way is it opens doors to other companies. There are a lot more companies that take on those who just got their license. Never once did I have a "free agent" mentality. In all honesty, in my opinion the first 6 months will be the easiest and quickest. You're going to be so busy learning the ropes and stressing about all the new stuff that time will just fly by. Then 6 more months of settling in and getting a feel for things.

I think you have a good head on your shoulders and should do fine in any path you take on it. Just make your choices without regret and make the right fit for you.

Sucks you had to go through that. Silver lining is this: you now have knowledge to handle a similar situation down the road and also all the rookies coming in who see this (assuming they/we are smart enough to put it to good use) will be able to learn from your experience and be able to apply it should something similar come up.

I would say, the only thing to be embarrassed about is IF you kept driving on a steer tire and it blew out. You had your doubts and asked others with experience to give you advise. Nothing embarrassing about being humble and using the information provided to you from those a lot more experienced. Good on you and from me personally I thank you for your experience.

Day 15

New week, new students. Out of an expected 3 students only 2 showed up. One is an over confident ex-trucker who "quit the life" and is now coming back to get his license again. I don't know much about the other guy. As usual it's first day so they spend the day on paperwork, trip planning, and HOS.

Idiot from last week left again. Something about not wanting to sign the contracts. I also helped a second week student who was having trouble with her parallel be able to start nailing it. Her last one of the day she nailed with zero pull ups and zero assistance. I walked her through the steps right after last break. So I'm proud of that.

Week 3 guys started out on their shifting last Friday (which would put them at the end of their second week when they did).

Today was kind of a slow day. Shortage of instructors kind of limited what we could manage for the day. The practice maneuvers I did today eased my nerves a bit about tomorrow's DMV run. I just need to take it easy and make sure not to rush it and I think I'll be fine. Here's to tomorrow and hopefully a finish to all of this. I've officially graduated the academy, now to pass the DMV exam and make it all official and move on to the next step.