Comments By Steven N. (aka Wilson)

See also: Melton Truck Lines Review

I can't say that I wasn't worried. Orientation with Melton Truck Lines started today. The first day was for the most part administrative. Lots of forms to fill out. Lots of videos to watch. But the biggest thing, at least for me, was the DOT physical that they administer. Some companies will farm that out. Melton prefers to administer their own and have the results there immediately. The part that had me 'worried' was the BP measuring. Well I was dancing all over the classroom because I had to go so bad. I asked the nurse when she went by if I could possibly do my urinalysis next as I could not even concentrate on the forms or videos since we were all instructed to "hold it" and I was trying. She let me go next and what a relief (no pun intended)! However, she just continued on with the physical. Next was the BP. She put this automatic device on my arm. I was thinking that holding that long may have driven my BP up too far. When the device finished, it was 146. :>(

I commented to her that my BP may have gone up because of blah, blah, blah.... She said, "No problem. I'll just use this manual one. I almost had to close my eyes! She let the pressure out and then pumped it up again and let the pressure out. I couldn't look. She said, "It's fine." "Really?" I asked. "How much was it?" She said 122.

Woohoo!!!!!!!

When that was done, I had to perform a one-legged stand (to ensure balance was okay). I had to stand on one leg for 30 seconds without going into a break dance. Then on the other leg. Well I won't say I didn't dance, but I passed that one, too. (We also had to lift 3 tarps off the ground and place them on the back of a trailer, then back on the floor.)

Then of course, there was the road test. I won't go into all that on this thread as I will be starting a diary thread in that section. But the main thing is, I PASSED THAT TOO!!!!

So since I officially made it past all the show-stoppers for me, I am changing my status from 'In CDL School' to 'Company Driver in Training.' The pressure is off but now there is a lot of hard work ahead with all kinds of securement classes and it is 99% hands-on training. I am so looking forward to that, even though it will be hard work. Tomorrow we start doing that kind of thing all day long.

Bring it on!

Thank you for the kind words, Daniel. I also hope to meet you, too, someday soon!

Well it has been a long road to this point and I have "pulled the trigger" and selected Melton. It was a close race with Schneider but as far as the things that interested me, Melton edged them out. One of the things that I wanted that perhaps others might not want was Melton's 21 day stint with a trainer/engineer. Schneider could only offer me a dry van position at this time and the trainer time would have been 5-7 days. I just felt on this point I was getting short changed. I want as much training as I can soak up. I have never done any of this before and I would be a fool to pretend that I know everything. I read a complaint on another forum from someone that ridiculed Melton's approach to training as catering to the newest of novices. To me, that is a strong point. I don't want them to assume I know anything outside of what little I learned in school.

So I get to ride the Greyhound bus for 27 hours to Tulsa, OK in the morning. Orientation begins on Monday morning. 8 days in Tulsa and then 21 days with a trainer in his truck. I think this will be intense but at least I will get to pick my trainer's brain for 21 days! At the end of the 3 weeks, I will be getting assigned my own truck and it will look something like this:

Again, thanks for all the help and advice I got on this site from everyone. Old School, looks like I am going to join the brotherhood of skateboarders! I hope to meet you out there sometime soon!

.....We are currently on our way back to WI for her to test and for me to snatch another one.

What kind of test is there left to do after the miles you two have completed?

... "what are these two nutjobs talking about?"

Okay, well, I have been driving for almost a year and have not parallel parked since school.

Well, I'll just add that it was not part of my schooling and also not part of my AL state exam. I would like to learn, though.

I am happy to say that I passed my state exam and got my CDL with all endorsements on Thursday afternoon!!!

It's been a long road, but I have it now. I am set to go to orientation on the 30th with either Schneider (dry van) or Melton (flatbed). I am still weighing my options. I wanted a tank job at Schneider, but there are not any openings in my area for a tanker yanker.

Again, thanks to Brett and TT for the immense help I received here. This wouldn't have happened without you.

If he hasn't been mentioned yet, I enjoy Trucker Josh's videos, too.

Dave

Welcome to TT and thank you for your service.

We just had a Werner recruiter come to the school yesterday. He gave a good presentation and specifically told me about the apprentice program as well as something I had not yet heard. First of all, there are a number of companies that offer the program so you won't be tied to one company to choose from. We did a thread a while back discussing the programs and options available for vets. You can check it out at one of the links: Companies with the Apprenticeship Program

Well as you already know, the apprentice program is really run through the VA and DOL. It is additional pay you get for one year on top of whatever the company is paying you. Now I am assuming you will have the Post 9/11 GI Bill and have 100% available. You will get $13, 891 during the year. Werner breaks it down here: Werner's Veteran Benefits

Here's the new part I just learned yesterday. If you attend a school and use VA benefits to pay for the school, Werner will PAY YOU BACK that money. However, the two stipulations are you get it $100 per month and only up to $6,000. So in the course of 5-6 years, you will get that money back. Still, an extra $100 per month is still a chunk of change and worth consideration.

Well keep doing your research so your decisions are well informed.

Thanks, Redgator. I'm glad you shared that and I really enjoyed reading about the adventure. Keep it coming when you can.