Comments By Photogirl

I'm a little late posting but the days have been long, fun, but long. I arrived at The Comfort Inn in Alvarado, tx and its really nice. Free breakfast every morning, (eggs, bacon, sausage, cereal, waffles muffins, fruit, yogurt etc).. The staff is super nice and the motel itself is very modern, think goose down comforter. YAY!

Week one- Starts out like the rest, lots of paperwork on day one. Day 2 we were already in the yard doing the Millis 500, lol which means following each other in a circle getting used to the truck. After lunch we went out on the road to bobtail around. There's only 2 of us here so needless to say we are getting tons of drive time. For the rest of the week we practice coupling/uncoupling, air breaks, pre-trip, (even though I don't test on it the guy here is from Ohio and he has too), we continue to drive in the yard and road driving in the afternoons. We also do about 1 hour or so of classroom in the morning. No driving with the trailer yet. Day 4- we started straight line backing. I pretty much had that one down. Next up is parallel parking. Day 5- same thing. Backing all day. Straight line and parallel. I can do the blindside no problem but when I switch to do the drivers side I can't do it to save my life. Its all good though Michael can't get the blindside so we are evening each other out lol.. Our instructor still hasn't lost is cool with us and seems to think we our doing so well we might graduate early. YAY!!

Its a lot of fun here. Harold our instructor is great. He's really calm and supportive and he wants nothing more then for you to succeed and pass your CDL road test. I've meet a few Millis drivers and they all have great things to say. I'm really liking my decision to train with Millis.

Week 2- Days 6-8 Backing, backing and then more backing. UGH, we had to learn off-set and alley dock.. Frustrating to say the least. Alley dock is ok, I have that one down but the darn off set is annoying as all get out. He has the course set up so you have to do a blindside then a drivers side off set. HATE IT lol.

We tested out on backing and now we get to hook up the trailer and get on the road.I didn’t master the off set but hey I still have plenty of time when I get out with my trainer which I met today. She’s really nice, been with Millis for 18 years. That seems to be a trend around here. Most drivers I have met have been with the company for over 3 years. When you test out on backing you have to do all backing maneuvers in a row. Um, yeah, my leg was a little tired afterwards. But, boy did it feel great when Harold told us we passed.

Days 9-10 I drove for 250 for both days and it was so much fun. I also got to do a pull through at a truck stop dancing-banana.gifdancing-banana.gif We are both doing so well we are testing out early. Training at Millis is 3 1/2 weeks, we are finishing in 2. I never had a problem with shifting so the time out on the road was great! I think I’m a natural when it comes to trucking. I can’t wait to get out with my trainer. Oh, and we did drug tests before going to the motel on Friday.

Week 3-

Day 1- Orientation day! Paper work! BORING!!! Nuff said!! lol

If you have any questions please ask. I didn't put all the details because I'm tired lol. I would recommend anyone who wants a lot of drive time training attend Millis. It's been an awesome experience thus far.. cheers ladies!!!

I'm a little late posting but the days have been long, fun, but long. I arrived at The Comfort Inn in Alvarado, tx and its really nice. Free breakfast every morning, (eggs, bacon, sausage, cereal, waffles muffins, fruit, yogurt etc).. The staff is super nice and the motel itself is very modern, think goose down comforter. YAY!

Week one- Starts out like the rest, lots of paperwork on day one. Day 2 we were already in the yard doing the Millis 500, lol which means following each other in a circle getting used to the truck. After lunch we went out on the road to bobtail around. There's only 2 of us here so needless to say we are getting tons of drive time. For the rest of the week we practice coupling/uncoupling, air breaks, pre-trip, (even though I don't test on it the guy here is from Ohio and he has too), we continue to drive in the yard and road driving in the afternoons. We also do about 1 hour or so of classroom in the morning. No driving with the trailer yet. Day 4- we started straight line backing. I pretty much had that one down. Next up is parallel parking. Day 5- same thing. Backing all day. Straight line and parallel. I can do the blindside no problem but when I switch to do the drivers side I can't do it to save my life. Its all good though Michael can't get the blindside so we are evening each other out lol.. Our instructor still hasn't lost is cool with us and seems to think we our doing so well we might graduate early. YAY!!

Its a lot of fun here. Harold our instructor is great. He's really calm and supportive and he wants nothing more then for you to succeed and pass your CDL road test. I've meet a few Millis drivers and they all have great things to say. I'm really liking my decision to train with Millis.

Week 2- Days 6-8 Backing, backing and then more backing. UGH, we had to learn off-set and alley dock.. Frustrating to say the least. Alley dock is ok, I have that one down but the darn off set is annoying as all get out. He has the course set up so you have to do a blindside then a drivers side off set. HATE IT lol.

We tested out on backing and now we get to hook up the trailer and get on the road.I didn’t master the off set but hey I still have plenty of time when I get out with my trainer which I met today. She’s really nice, been with Millis for 18 years. That seems to be a trend around here. Most drivers I have met have been with the company for over 3 years. When you test out on backing you have to do all backing maneuvers in a row. Um, yeah, my leg was a little tired afterwards. But, boy did it feel great when Harold told us we passed.

Days 9-10 I drove for 250 for both days and it was so much fun. I also got to do a pull through at a truck stop We are both doing so well we are testing out early. Training at Millis is 3 1/2 weeks, we are finishing in 2. I never had a problem with shifting so the time out on the road was great! I think I’m a natural when it comes to trucking. I can’t wait to get out with my trainer. Oh, and we did drug tests before going to the motel on Friday.

Week 3-

Day 1- Orientation day! Paper work! BORING!!! Nuff said!! lol

Congrats Jolie!!! Sounds like you had a great first run. I just completed my training with Millis Transfer and will be doing my road test at the DMV this Friday. I can't wait to get out on the road with my trainer. Good luck in the future, maybe we can meet up as well once I;m in my own truck. Take care out there.

Millis started in Black River Falls, WI - 20 miles from where I live! They are not one of my considerations, however, because I can't bring my dog along. Bummer.

Good luck to ya!!

Yeah, I don't like the no pet thing either but they have a great training academy. From what I understand the classes are never over 8 people so that leaves lots of driving time and more individual training. They also get really good reviews online.

***UPDATE*** I've decided to go with Millis. Just couldn't pass up an opportunity like this. They have more that appeals to me then Swift or KLLM. Thanks again everyone...

I do what I can!

I wish I could do another one with a more experienced me but I just can't find the hour a day to devote to writing like I used to. I'm a lot busier than I was back then. For example, my next three days I have to drive a minimum of 600 miles.

But I have other ideas in store including a new "What would you do" thread coming out on the 22nd and this one will be awesome and tricky!

Sounds good! Your stories tricky as they may be and your adventures are great and I know I can probably speak for a lot of truckers here, you're amazing... keep it coming... We love hearing your adventures. Take care Daniel... Wish me luck.. I start training this Monday... Stay safe out there..

Companies haul a trailer with a different name on it all the time. Schneider-Walmart. Prime-Henderson. Werner-ABF. It's nothing we need to concern ourselves with and definitely nothing that should impact our decision.

They give you the load, you take the trailer and deliver it and get paid. It's as easy as that. Heck, I've driven a pink truck with a Prime Floral trailer (has a giant flower in the center) and I didn't care. I get what I get, right?

Uh, ok thanks.. Im super new so I didn't know that. But, Thanks for the lesson .. Gotta keep learning ya know... The mystery of trucking lol

FYI Daniel, I very much enjoyed :"the adventures of Daniel" thank you for you contribution to the trucking world.. It was really great and inspiring... So, yeah, thanks again..

Companies haul a trailer with a different name on it all the time. Schneider-Walmart. Prime-Henderson. Werner-ABF. It's nothing we need to concern ourselves with and definitely nothing that should impact our decision.

They give you the load, you take the trailer and deliver it and get paid. It's as easy as that. Heck, I've driven a pink truck with a Prime Floral trailer (has a giant flower in the center) and I didn't care. I get what I get, right?

Uh, ok thanks.. Im super new so I didn't know that. But, Thanks for the lesson .. Gotta keep learning ya know... The mystery of trucking lol

So, I was visiting a local Ross for some supplies before I leave for training this Sunday and what did I see you ask? A Werner Transport tractor pulling a Swift Transport trailer... Is there something I should know about this? Wish I would have taken a pic of it.. Looked bizarre to say the least..

Well I went to there driving school in corsicana, tx . The first week was good the instructor new his stuff lil long winded but some are like that. Still in the first week my class of 19 get split up in 2 Groups . So one group is practicing straight line backing .an the other is in the shop learnig about pre-trip or so we thought.. lol pre-trip .. brb this gets good

Do tell... I leave for Corsicana this Sunday.

Hey there. I used to live in Spring. Don't get a lot of winter weather there, do ya? I think it was in '95, maybe '96 that winter it got below freezing and everyone freaked out lol! The traffic signals were hanging down into the intersections, trees were touching the ground from the weight of the ice. I lived there from new years day '95 to about march of '99.

Are you going to school locally, or somewhere there's going to be actual winter weather?

If you've lived there all your life and haven't dealt with snow and the like, you actually might be better off in that you'll be more likely to take it slow and easy, and not have the bravado a lot of drivers have from dealing with winter weather all their lives that ends up leaving them in the ditch, or heaven forbid, killing someone.

I will be going to the Corsicana location near Dallas. Hopefully it won't be to cold.. Yeah, I grew up in Spring my whole life..

Yes And I leave for Swift richmond on the 1st of decemeber

GOOD LUCK!!!!

Hi all... I've been reading and leerking for over 2 yrs now. I feel like I know a lot of you just from your post. Quick low down, I've passed all 5 written test in Texas and I hold a CDL permit and I'm finally headed off to school this Sunday, needless to say I'm a little freaked out but excited at the same time. I don't want to ramble so here it is... any advice for winter time training or any training would be greatly appreciated. I've got my georgia boots and a duffle bag and I'm ready to do this. Thanks in advance, I really appreciate it. You guys are all great...

Nice! Wishing you all the best. I'm leaving for Richmond this Sunday.

Thanks!! Good luck to you as well..

Thanks all for the replies. I've decided to go with Swift. Their the best fit for me at the moment. KLLM trains out of Dallas just incase anyone was interested in them. I'm really excited to get the ball rolling. I've been wanting this for over 2 tears now. Thanks again everyone, wish me luck!

Thanks everyone I'm super excited I did however just received news that I'm accepted at Millis and KLLM. Do any of you have a preference? Now, I'm all kinds of confused about which company to choose.

Thanks everyone I'm super excited I did however just received news that I'm accepted at Millis and KLLM. Do any of you have a preference? Now, I'm all kinds of confused about which company to choose.

Hi all... I've been reading and leerking for over 1 yr now. I feel like I know a lot of you just from your post. Quick low down, I've passed all 5 written test in Texas and I hold a CDL permit and I'm finally headed off to school this Sunday, needless to say I'm a little freaked out but excited at the same time. I'm also an ex wedding photographer of 12 yrs and I'm 39 yrs old with a pretty good head on my shoulders. I love traveling, people, life and money, in random order of course :0) lol. I don't want to ramble so here it is... any advice for winter time training or any training would be greatly appreciated. I hope to do you all proud. I've got my georgia boots and a duffle bag and I'm ready to do this. Thanks in advance, I really appreciate it. You guys are all great...

Hi all... I've been reading and leerking for over 1 yr now. I feel like I know a lot of you just from your post. Quick low down, I've passed all 5 written test in Texas and I hold a CDL permit and I'm finally headed off to school this Sunday, needless to say I'm a little freaked out but excited at the same time. I'm also an ex wedding photographer of 12 yrs and I'm 39 yrs old with a pretty good head on my shoulders. I love traveling, people, life and money, in random order of course :0) lol. I don't want to ramble so here it is... any advice for winter time training or any training would be greatly appreciated. I hope to do you all proud. I've got my georgia boots and a duffle bag and I'm ready to do this. Thanks in advance, I really appreciate it. You guys are all great...

Hi all... I've been reading and leerking for over 2 yrs now. I feel like I know a lot of you just from your post. Quick low down, I've passed all 5 written test in Texas and I hold a CDL permit and I'm finally headed off to school this Sunday, needless to say I'm a little freaked out but excited at the same time. I don't want to ramble so here it is... any advice for winter time training or any training would be greatly appreciated. I've got my georgia boots and a duffle bag and I'm ready to do this. Thanks in advance, I really appreciate it. You guys are all great...