Leaving For Swift School This Sunday In Corsicana Texas.
Topic 6215 | Page 1
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...
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Good luck. Just listen and ask questions.
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.
Welcome aboard Photogirl!
The biggest thing is to keep a great attitude and expect a lot of ups and downs. You're going to have good days and bad, good instructors and bad, and that goes pretty much across the board for everything. Don't let anything get you down and don't be afraid to completely forget about a bad day and move on. You don't have to dwell on any struggles you had or instructors that gave you a hard time. Keep focusing on what's in front of you and keep moving forward.
Attitude makes a huge difference to these companies and people very much underestimate that. I mean, pretty much anyone can learn to shift or back up a truck. It's your attitude that is going to determine how safely you approach your job, how hard you work, and how well you get along with people and those are some of the things that separate the most productive drivers from the rest. So they're not just watching to see if you can shift or back up. They want to see that you're taking it seriously, working hard, listening closely, and preparing yourself the best you know how. Those are the people that get through these programs and go on to have a great start to their career.
There isn't too much to say about winter driving other than to take it slow and don't push yourself to keep moving when you feel like you're in over your head. Your instructor will hopefully be watching closely during your time in training but once you get out on your own it's your call whether or not you should drive in bad weather. Do not be shy about parking it. Tomorrow is always another day and the nicest weather usually follows storms. So don't take a big risk trying to push through terrible weather when in 24 hours the sun will be shining and the roads will be dry.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
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.
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
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.
Photogirl, I didn't see the school that you are originally headed.
I only submitted one app and a week later I am enroute. Sending this via Greyhound. I did second guess myself, but I remember, I had reasons for the company I picked.
If you have submitted to other schools and you are still interested in them, call to follow up. I believe you have more options than you realize.
Good luck.
BMI:
Body mass index (BMI)
BMI is a formula that uses weight and height to estimate body fat. For most people, BMI provides a reasonable estimate of body fat. The BMI's biggest weakness is that it doesn't consider individual factors such as bone or muscle mass. BMI may:
- Underestimate body fat for older adults or other people with low muscle mass
- Overestimate body fat for people who are very muscular and physically fit
It's quite common, especially for men, to fall into the "overweight" category if you happen to be stronger than average. If you're pretty strong but in good shape then pay no attention.
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
Photogirl, quick check of Millis's web site shows they have now have a training facility in Texas (not noted in the TT page), and a terminal in Fort Worth (from TT), but they must have a drop yard near Houston and Spring.
KLLM does not have training in Texas if that's important. Their facility is in Jackson MS.
These companies may be very similar in operation, but they will vary in size and focus, particularly with regards to what they haul and where. If you're staying in Spring after you start driving then none of them should have a problem getting you home - lots of freight through Houston, right? The quickest way to find out about the companies would be to go to a truck stop and strike up a conversation with some of the drivers from the companies.
As Brett and many others have said here, attitude is the most important factor in your success. That you have a few companies to choose from is not as important as how hard you work at your success. Starting at any of these would most likely be fine, but to determine that you should interview some current drivers, bonus if you can find some women that drive for them.
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
Oh, and for preference, that's for you to decide. You know your situation better than any of us. ;-)
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!
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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...
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles: