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Pretty much all of them. Companies like us women drivers as we have different mindsets than men do and generally are safer drivers.

Do you have your CDL?

Are we not all equals?

Not as far as driving. Females have more attention to detail, communicate better, and don't take risks as often as males.

Respectfully I’m going to have to disagree with that. Of course it’s just my opinion and I don’t have all the years experience you may have. This is a stereotypical way of comparing people and is also in my opinion one of the biggest problems in this world and why we will never evolve. Women and men have exactly the same capacity to communicate and be organized. That’s all I’ll say and again all just my opinion. I will now remove myself from this forum and site. Peace out.

Pretty much all of them. Companies like us women drivers as we have different mindsets than men do and generally are safer drivers.

Do you have your CDL?

So, how or what makes a woman’s mindset any different from a man? Are we not all equals?

Ok so for the 3 connections I figured out. One is WiFi which I turned off since it’s not needed. The other two connections are one for Bluetooth on phone and one for smartlink app. Looking at my Bluetooth settings on phone it lists the dezl 2 times in the list of connections. I believe this is proper working condition. As for the traffic updates it just pops up on the right side of the screen covering my trip data. The only way to make it minimize is to actually tap the X on the window and it goes away. Not safe for driving IMHO. I’m still playing with this and researching it as instructions say nothing about it. As for the ball mount I have read that once you have it in a position you like, a dab of crazy glue does the trick. Sad that it’s this way to get it to stay put though.

Hello. Im new to the industry and I am thoroughly aware that there is no substitute for a map and a pen. That said I have a Garmin Dezl 780 to help me in my adventures but have a few questions about the unit. First one is I am using the smart link to connect to my phone so basically there are 3 connections to the phone, smartlink, Bluetooth and WiFi. Do I need all 3 running at the same time or can I shut off WiFi and only use that for updates? Second is when driving and there is a traffic update can I make that update automatically minimize after a short period of time so I can go back to trip date without having to touch the X on the screen? Lastly any advice on the mount, the magnet is super strong but on bumpy roads it starts to tilt itself where the ball meets the powered mount. Thanks everyone much appreciated. Darren

Hello all. I have decided to only post my diary entries when I am home and on a real PC. Looking at than dang phone screen and typing is murder on the eyes. So my process started back on March 11 2020 that's when I made a choice to apply to Wilson Logistics. Within an hour I was contacted by a recruiter and we went over some items on my application and a few other basic questions. At this time he said it would take a few days or so to process everything and I could possibly be in class by March 23 2020 as long as my application was accurate and background checks etc were in order. We played phone tag a few times that day and the next to verify a few items (Previous job related things) but on Friday around noon-ish he called to say I was all set. He also said there was room in the classroom for one more student on March 16 2020 that next Monday. Not wanting to delay I said that would be a definite YES for that option. I spent the rest of the day Friday watching a handful of videos, filling out some online paperwork, emailing permit etc.... Also at the same time getting my personal affairs in order with my home and my wife. They offered to put me on a bus but I chose to drive my own car from SC 854 miles to Springfield MO. Id been on a bus once for 12+ hours and I promised myself NEVER again. I also took into account the whole Covid 19 situation and decided to steer clear of the bus. The company has said they will reimburse my fuel costs up to whatever a bus ticket would have been just keep all receipts. I set out on my journey Sat March 14 2020 and arrived the next afternoon Sunday March 15 2020 checked into the hotel and met my roommate. For the next week I wont bother going into great detail but to sum it all up its basically like this, get up and get picked up at hotel, get to training center and spend a day to day 1/2 in classroom doing more paperwork, meeting people, watching videos and using the simulators. There was a urinalysis drug test mixed in there somewhere also. After that its on the pad doing pre trip, 4 stage brake tests, backing maneuvers and one by one we were singled out to go either bobtail or pull a trailer around the roads by training center. Also somewhere in there they separated us and we were assigned our own hotel room for Covid 19 reasons. On Friday March 20 2020 I was set up with my D seat trainer and we discussed when and where we would meet to head out on the road for the first session of training. My next 16 days were spent on the road. My trainer was excellent and had a great personality. He never made me feel like I couldn't do the tasks at hand and let me drive and back up for 98% of the time we spent on the road. Id say in that 16 days I drove between 5500-6000 miles he drove about 500. I returned to Springfield on April 6 2020, checked back into the hotel and was back in class the next day on the pad practicing my 90's and parallel maneuvers. My CDL test was April 8 2020 @ 10:30 so I even had a few hours that morning to practice again a few times. I was SUPER nervous going into the test because I am NOT a good speaker in situations where I have to speak out loud to a stranger but about 3 min into the pre trip testing that all went away. I tested on a manual transmission and passed all 3 of my tests on the first attempt. I actually even squeaked out a score of 0 on my backing maneuvers. I got a few points on the road test mostly due to my lack of total experience driving a manual transmission in a truck (ground a few down shifts and even lost my gearing positioning once) and by that I mean I have NEVER drove a manual transmission in a truck EVER. After the testing was over there was of course another mountain of paperwork, simulator training scenarios and videos to watch. After that I was set up with my next training session and as luck would have it I am going back out with the same trainer I had for my D seat training. I left Springfield Wednesday April 8 2020 and back at home the following day. Now I am waiting on A DMV appointment for Monday April 13 2020 to turn in my exam paperwork and receive my actual class A license then I can contact my fleet manager and schedule a pick up for 30000 miles of training. A few things I can actually provide as advice for anyone going into driver training. Pay attention to the instructors. Read all the paperwork they give you as the methods they describe are almost an exact science in giving you the knowledge to pass your CDL exam. They may not all apply to the real world situations you will encounter while out with your trainer but they will defiantly apply on the pad and on the test. For the most part IGNORE YOUR CELL PHONE !! leave it in your bag in training center if you cant control yourself. Ask questions, even if you think its stupid. And what I feel is most important is, we are all human beings that live life in our own culture and our own ways. Except for blatant rudeness or disrespect or medical reasons IE smoking there is no wrong and right when it comes to living your life in your own ways and beliefs. When your partnered with someone that may be different that you in the way they live or what they believe weigh your options before you decide you cant deal with a person. Sit down and ask yourself what you can deal with and what values you cherish the most to get through a situation. Example Can you deal with someone snapping gum all day if there polite and train you in a way you can learn best ??? ?

Best wishes Marie. I myself started with Wilson’s training program on Monday. So far it’s been a very friendly atmosphere and everyone I have met has been helpful and down to earth. The company is very safety oriented so be prepared to hear about safety many times over.

Thanks all. On a different note, I was accepted into Wilson Logistics program and am headed to Springfield MO tomorrow to begin school on Monday. My journey begins.

I am defiantly NOT making any moves for at least a year. I was just speculating into the future.

Thanks Errol. Those links are very useful. I used them 2 weeks ago and aced the permit test's (3) for my class A permit. Since starting this topic I have filled out an app with Wilson Logistics and am currently in the first stages of being reviewed as a candidate. The recruiter advised me that if all goes well I will be starting school on March 23 in Springfield, MO. keeping my fingers crossed.

That would rule out CRST since I want solo. What I want at this point in time is a Job. But beyond that I understand that no matter who I choose my first year will be a hard one. I have full commitment from my wife for being away for extended periods and I really just need a company that will get help me get my license without me paying too much up front. After my time spent training Id like to purchase / lease my own truck and go into business for myself. So really my needs and wants are simple I just don't want to choose someone with a bad reputation that treats employees disrespectfully is really my main priority.