Done Playing Games. I Want To Get Into A Truck.

Wanted to congratulate you on your decision to go for this. Also for the harder decision to give up smoking weed. I've been sober since '83 & tobacco free since '94. If I can do it, you definitely will do it too. It's just one of those decisions that it's either grow up & get started living or just sink lower & lower. Not saying this is where you are, just speaking of where I was when I had to make that same decision.

Also, keep reminding yourself that even though you already have the final goal, your are going through the longest job interview of any job out there. As you well know, it's not just about getting your CDL license, it's more about your attitude on how you handle yourself through the process. I will have to keep reminding myself of this when it's my turn to be in your shoes.

Good luck, God bless & stay safe!!

Just thought I'd drop by and leave a little update. Tomorrow I start my first day at school. Working all the way up until yesterday (Saturday) I've tried collecting as many hours as I can, saving as much as I can. I think I'm going to be good. Got a full tank of gas and I'm ready. Checked with the DMV and all I need to do is pay $81.25 to reinstate my CDL after I've acquired my medical card. I'll be getting that done on Tuesday. In the packet the school gave me was homework basically a 50 question practice test. Completed all but two questions from memory. Basically the past couple of weeks I've been watching YouTube videos of pre-inspections, backing videos and driver's videos. Kinda weird going through school knowing I already passed the final exam and all I have to do is show up and pay attention.

I just have a question about what I should bring to orientation as far as packing. Should I bring any towels or body wash and shampoo or do truck stops supply those? Things I know I'm bringing - duffle bag, four pairs of jeans, a week's worth of shirts, underwear and socks, toothpaste and toothbrush, deodorant, electric razor, shower shoes, phone and charger, 64 oz canteen, one pair of light cut resistant work gloves because I just have them, some work boots, sneakers, one sweater, one heavy jacket and one light jacket (thinking about a backpack, seen it on a video, good for going from truck to shower). Anything else I should bring or leave behind?

Towards Simon or anyone else that knows; does Stevens supply a mattress while training?

Hi James.

Glad to here that you're finally here ! 👍😊

As it happens, I am also at the Dallas yard; finishing up Grad school. By the end of the week, I should be rolling out of here with a truck......as long as I can pass the final road test tomorrow! lol

It looks to me like you have the basics pretty well covered.

To answer your question; yes the mattress is supplied 👍In my trainer's truck, he had left it wrapped in its original plastic.....presumably to make it easy to clean. It made it somewhat noisy to sleep as every movement produces rustlijg and crackling noises! lol From what some of the other guys have said; their trainers did the same thing.

If you have time; come find me ... I'm in the Grad classroom just down the hall from Orientation....just ask anyone for 'the English' guy! lol Failing that, I'm at the Motel 6 for the next couple of nights. Where are you staying?

I'll be glad to fill you in on my experiences etc.

Best of luck with everything; I hope you enjoy it. I certainly have!

Hope to see you while I'm still here. 👍😊

Cheers,

Simon

Just thought I'd drop by and leave a little update. Tomorrow I start my first day at school. Working all the way up until yesterday (Saturday) I've tried collecting as many hours as I can, saving as much as I can. I think I'm going to be good. Got a full tank of gas and I'm ready. Checked with the DMV and all I need to do is pay $81.25 to reinstate my CDL after I've acquired my medical card. I'll be getting that done on Tuesday. In the packet the school gave me was homework basically a 50 question practice test. Completed all but two questions from memory. Basically the past couple of weeks I've been watching YouTube videos of pre-inspections, backing videos and driver's videos. Kinda weird going through school knowing I already passed the final exam and all I have to do is show up and pay attention.

I just have a question about what I should bring to orientation as far as packing. Should I bring any towels or body wash and shampoo or do truck stops supply those? Things I know I'm bringing - duffle bag, four pairs of jeans, a week's worth of shirts, underwear and socks, toothpaste and toothbrush, deodorant, electric razor, shower shoes, phone and charger, 64 oz canteen, one pair of light cut resistant work gloves because I just have them, some work boots, sneakers, one sweater, one heavy jacket and one light jacket (thinking about a backpack, seen it on a video, good for going from truck to shower). Anything else I should bring or leave behind?

Towards Simon or anyone else that knows; does Stevens supply a mattress while training?

Hi James.

Glad to here that you're finally here ! 👍😊

As it happens, I am also at the Dallas yard; finishing up Grad school. By the end of the week, I should be rolling out of here with a truck......as long as I can pass the final road test tomorrow! lol

It looks to me like you have the basics pretty well covered.

To answer your question; yes the mattress is supplied 👍In my trainer's truck, he had left it wrapped in its original plastic.....presumably to make it easy to clean. It made it somewhat noisy to sleep as every movement produces rustlijg and crackling noises! lol From what some of the other guys have said; their trainers did the same thing.

If you have time; come find me ... I'm in the Grad classroom just down the hall from Orientation....just ask anyone for 'the English' guy! lol Failing that, I'm at the Motel 6 for the next couple of nights. Where are you staying?

I'll be glad to fill you in on my experiences etc.

Best of luck with everything; I hope you enjoy it. I certainly have!

Hope to see you while I'm still here. 👍😊

Cheers,

Simon

Well Simon how did your upgrade go?

Just thought I'd drop by and leave a little update. Tomorrow I start my first day at school. Working all the way up until yesterday (Saturday) I've tried collecting as many hours as I can, saving as much as I can. I think I'm going to be good. Got a full tank of gas and I'm ready. Checked with the DMV and all I need to do is pay $81.25 to reinstate my CDL after I've acquired my medical card. I'll be getting that done on Tuesday. In the packet the school gave me was homework basically a 50 question practice test. Completed all but two questions from memory. Basically the past couple of weeks I've been watching YouTube videos of pre-inspections, backing videos and driver's videos. Kinda weird going through school knowing I already passed the final exam and all I have to do is show up and pay attention.

I just have a question about what I should bring to orientation as far as packing. Should I bring any towels or body wash and shampoo or do truck stops supply those? Things I know I'm bringing - duffle bag, four pairs of jeans, a week's worth of shirts, underwear and socks, toothpaste and toothbrush, deodorant, electric razor, shower shoes, phone and charger, 64 oz canteen, one pair of light cut resistant work gloves because I just have them, some work boots, sneakers, one sweater, one heavy jacket and one light jacket (thinking about a backpack, seen it on a video, good for going from truck to shower). Anything else I should bring or leave behind?

Towards Simon or anyone else that knows; does Stevens supply a mattress while training?

Hi James.

Glad to here that you're finally here ! 👍😊

As it happens, I am also at the Dallas yard; finishing up Grad school. By the end of the week, I should be rolling out of here with a truck......as long as I can pass the final road test tomorrow! lol

It looks to me like you have the basics pretty well covered.

To answer your question; yes the mattress is supplied 👍In my trainer's truck, he had left it wrapped in its original plastic.....presumably to make it easy to clean. It made it somewhat noisy to sleep as every movement produces rustlijg and crackling noises! lol From what some of the other guys have said; their trainers did the same thing.

If you have time; come find me ... I'm in the Grad classroom just down the hall from Orientation....just ask anyone for 'the English' guy! lol Failing that, I'm at the Motel 6 for the next couple of nights. Where are you staying?

I'll be glad to fill you in on my experiences etc.

Best of luck with everything; I hope you enjoy it. I certainly have!

Hope to see you while I'm still here. 👍😊

Cheers,

Simon

Well Simon how did your upgrade go?

Hi there guys👍

Road test and yard maneuvers test completed 👍 Yaaaaay!

Final paperwork formalities this evening and tomorrow morning...my buddy rolls into town tonight; so barring unforeseen problems; we should roll outta here this weekend! 😜😀Lol

Can't wait! 😀

Hope all going well with you, James?

Cheers.

Simon

Man you got lucky. I put in an app at Stevens. Clean driving record, never done drugs, only a few employment gaps and they turned me down. Go figure.

Update: Finished last day of orientation at Steven's today. Long days but it all happened so fast. A ton of paperwork. Got my fuel card and permanent ID badge today. Hoping to get paired up with a trainer tomorrow. Also, hoping to get that advance on my check tomorrow. It's been a long time since my last check with my previous job. The bus ride from Tampa to Dallas was 34 hours, stressful and exhausting. Food and drinks were very expensive. Anyways, I'm glad I finally made it this far. If I don't update you before grad class, I'll update you after when I'm solo. So for now, I'll be working on my 240 hours of driving 2 mountains, West United States and North East United States.

Best of luck to ya James!

Keep yourself focused on why you're there. There's going to be some trying experiences during training. Remember it is only temporary, and getting past it is what puts you in the driver's seat. Keep yourself goal oriented and don't get yourself all hung up on little things that bother you.

Congratulations on making it this far!

Update: one more month and I'll be at Stevens for a year. I really want to go local or regional to be closer to home and be with my son more. The problem is home is in Florida. I'm not worried about finding a job it's the transition process that feels daunting. 1. I have to bring clear my truck out of all my stuff while I'm on my last home time with Stevens minus necessities. 2. Bring the truck back to Dallas. 3. Travel to next orientation (hopefully Marten in my home town they are high on my list)

Congratulations James! That one year anniversary is s big deal - you did it! Keep us posted on how it goes when you try to get a new gig.

Hey James it's good to hear things are still going well for you. Have you asked Stevens if they may have a regional or dedicated opportunity in your area? Pickins may be slim in FL, but it's worth asking if you haven't already. Just throwing it out there.