Profile For Mike C.

My journey began with the Tampa Drivers School back in March. For those that can, takes three weeks or so. Took me six weeks because I'm a klutz.

Then on to Trans Am and left after three days of orientation. Very bad experience at least having to do with me. So, speaking for me, very bad experience.

Began orientation with CFI about five/six weeks ago . About 14,000 miles driven with a trainer (CFI calls it a "Finisher") Very-very valuable time and miles spent. I cant speak highly enough of CFI. Great company and they put alot of time, energy and budget into new drivers. A very professional company that displays a high degree of driver satisfaction. A very friendly and helpful spirit and they spend the time and money on new drivers.

Passed all my final tests with CFI Today. Written test, then the 'Obstacle Course", and miles with a CFI designated manager to ensure the new driver is ready for the road, solo.

AND.........I have my own truck as of a couple hours ago.

So, I have a red KW with a couple hundred thousand miles on it, clean as a pin and road ready with I think a pretty well trained as possible new driver.

Been a journey with some anxiety and some doubts and frayed nerves however here I is ......................

BTW.......BIG SCOTT.....I was behind you leaving Joplin on Labor Day. You turned left, I went right. Looking forward to meeting you.

A couple/few weeks back I asked how to contest inaccuracies or at least to view my DAC. I was given the link for hireright and contacted them immediately. I recieved a response that someone would be in touch with me shortly. As of today the only response that I have since then was this morning confirming my name, E mail, and the like.

Am I missing something? Is there a better place to ask my question about my DAC than hireright?

I dont think it should take this long?

Anne A

I began driving airplanes in the 60's in NW Florida. There aint no such thing in any small town in NW Florida, Ga, Ms, la, or Ala that does' not have a water tower with the name of the town along with "Class of...................." That pretty much told me where I was. There was no such thing as a computer.

All PA28's 140 an Arrow and an "Aztruck" Tried a little spraying with a Pawnee and didn't break the airplane, hit any power or phone lines or more than likely didn't cause any deaths that I'm aware of anyway.

People that I know kid me about the fact that I'm a klutz at backing a truck because they feel if you can fly an airplane you can certainly back a semi........................WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 An airplane only goes' forward and there aint no 53' trailer behind it and no (six of them) mirrors. I'm sure both you and your husband agree that flying an airplane is alot easier and I could pre flight a single or light twin in maybe two minutes whereas you sure as poop cant do that with a tractor and trailer.

I'd be lost today with a "Glass ****pit" or the like.

Rob T

Thanks for the input and encouragement

I've been out with a trainer going on three weeks.

I think I have the driving part down pretty good just so long as all I have to do is drive straight. I'm in Joplin now and have spent some time with my backing here at the terminal. I'm very pleased with the help CFI offers

As it looks, I think I'm going to spend another maybe couple weeks or so with a trainer before I'm on my own. We'll see.

Thanks Anne A

I sent in my request

I appreciate your help

Trying to finish up my "apprentice period" so to speak with CFI.

I still need more work primarily with my backing skills which they are giving me.

I'm also computer stupid..........a gen-u-ine dinosaur. The on board computer controls your life and I just aint real good at it. Back in the dark ages when I learned to fly there was no such thing as computers. Railroad tracks, highways, and water towers that all had the towns name on them were my nav aids. I'm kinda Ok with a nav Garmin but the onboard computer that controls your life on the road I need some help with.

On the form that asks my opinion of my abilities I checked off "Not ready Yet" which also goes to the point that I believe so much as to training.

Thanks again young lady...................

Kearsey

How do I dispute the DAC entry Where do I send my dispute?

Midnight fox

I believe your missing my point.

What the government allows or does' not allow is not my issue. What Trans Am's safety record reflects is not my issue.

I do not feel I'm a safe driver on the road solo with no training. That is a decision that I have come to that pertains to me. If I do not feel that I'm a safe and competent driver on the road solo then it's upon me to make the call as to how to proceed. My decision was to seek out a company that will give me the training I require and want.

Obtaining a CDL thru a school offers the bare minimum of what is actually required on the road. The school gives you enough information and training to pass the minimum requirements to obtain your CDL.

Trans Am can do whatever they wish. Whoever signs on to the program is perfectly within their rights to do so. I have a problem with their program and my choice was not to proceed.

My issue with Trans Am is their showing me as an ex employee which I am not.

Midnight fox

A follow up

The orientation class that I attended for three days had about ten or twelve people in it, more or less.

I do not think there was a single experienced driver in the class.

As it was explained passing orientation was required for employment and the employment included immediately, right away, being issued a truck and trailer as a new solo operator. Immediately means just that in that orientation ends in something like a week +/-, you are issued a truck and down the road. This was made clear to the extent that it was told that there was no parking available at the Tampa terminal for personal vehicles. So, when you are given a truck you cannot leave your car at the terminal because there's no parking room.

midnight fox

You cant make this stuff up and put it in print

Midnight fox

Trans Am can do what they wish but I do not find any compelling reason for me to sign on with them without any training. I absolutely refuse and have refused to drive seventy feet of truck with maybe eighty thousand pounds of weight over the road with no training to do so. What has or has not worked for Trans Am is fine for Trans Am but that does' not mean it's Ok with me as to my employment and my future driving a truck safely.

I will not accept the fact that a brand new holder of a CDL with absolutely no solo experiance with a truck can then be given a truck and say it's Ok to go on the road safely as Trans Am does'.

A nice young mother with her three children in their car seats going down a 6% grade does' not need me behind them with no experiance......none.....nada.........in a 70' unguided missile weighing perhaps eighty thousand pounds unable to stop the damn thing because I was never trained to do so and put on the road without said training.

Trans Am's seemingly new policy is fine for them and I guess others but not me.

Kearsey

For a long long time I knew I was going to be an OTR driver. I joined this forum about four years ago. After a good many years, the right time, and I went for it. So, here I am.

In my profession of over fifty years I was involved with alot of training. In my past profession training = safety for all concerned and I'm a believer with training in general however if it begins or ends with driving a truck, training is paramount to safety.

Trans Am's training (or lack of) policies to me are mind boggling. I dont profess to understand their rationale and frankly put, I dont care except to say that I'm not included.

At the risk of repeating myself I'll offer an overlook at where I'm at and am 100% satisfied with the process and the company. At CFI, about a week of orientation. Then a test drive with a CFI trainer. Then a few weeks on the road with a CFI trainer (Finisher as they call it) That brings me to right now back in Joplin. My finisher issued his findings re me to training. My view also issued. Going on the premise I go forward today includes: Obstacle course Written exam Verbal exam Determination if I'm ready to be on the road solo. I'm in 100% agreement with CFI'S safety policies.

Want my opinion of my abilities? I dont think I'm ready because I have some serious backing issues. I need to work more with my backing skills.

When I am on the road solo with CFI it will be that I'm ready to be which I think is a great policy and a great company to work for.