A Little Help If Anyone Can.

I got in touch with my school recruiter today to schedule a class. I hoped to start on Sept 2nd. I was told that the class has not been put up yet. That day is a holiday and they are not sure if they will put the class off for the next week or not. Plus she had to run my record again. They ran it last month when I first applied. I guess it is only good for one month. I have to call back around the 19th and talk to her then.

Not what I wanted to hear. I wanted to give my employer a 2 weeks notice, but if I don't find out within the 2 weeks... oh well, he will just have to get over it. Maybe a one week notice will be enough.

Anyway, what I need help with.

When I talked to her, it reminded me of your post Brett about don't judge the company by the recruiter. I don't know if I have a new girl. Someone that doesn't care. Or she just plain doesn't like me. She can't answer half the questions I ask her.

Celadon nor their school have much on their websites about the school. Matter of fact almost nothing. So I needed to know what I needed to bring with me. And what I am suppose to do about my CDL permits and physical. I would like to get them before I go. But when you pay 75 dollars for the physical, around 100 dollars for the drug screen, I think 35 dollars for the permit, and 10 dollars for each endorsement. That is a chunk of change out of a guy's pocket.

So I called to ask what I needed to bring to school. I know clothes for 7 to 10 days. And all the other personal stuff. I asked about bedding (for when I go out on the road after school). She said, I didn't have to bring that, Celadon would give me a that. Now, I won't say she is mistaken, but that is the first time I have ever heard that. With as many drivers that go through their school, that could get expensive for Celadon.

I don't have to bring any pens, pencils, notebooks. No kind of study aids.

I asked about an atlas or a Truckers atlas. She didn't answer and I said for the training on the route planning. She said, she wasn't sure but she didn't think I needed one. I don't think she knew what I was talking about.

I asked about getting my CDL permit and physical before I come up. She said I could. And I asked if I needed to get it done before I came up or if I got it there. She hesitated for a few seconds and said, it didn't matter, I could do either one. Gave me the impression she didn't know but didn't want to admit it.

She did tell me all the documentation I needed to bring. A certified birth certificate. I asked about if a passport would do (which in almost every case it does). She said no, I had to bring both. Bills or a pay stub to prove my address.

I am really looking forward to starting school and getting out on the road. Not real fond of the 6 weeks with a stranger, but newbies have to pay their dues in all ways.

Joe, most recruiters have never even been inside of a truck so it's not surprising she doesn't know about some of these things that you asked her. I have first hand experience of a recruiter bs'ing you just to get you to join. My wife has been in touch with a Central Ref recruiter because she might go into trucking and half of the things she tells me the recruiter told her are dead wrong. Recruiters job is to get people in the door and they'll do and say anything to accomplish that if it means providing food on their dinner table.

Since you're drawing blanks with this recruiter on most of your concerns I would simply ask to speak to a different recruiter. In a nice way. I mean, you can't just go into this blind. Some of the basic questions you cannot get an answer for so I would definitely get ALL my questions answered before I jump into something like this. You'll be quitting your job, you need to know what you're quitting your job for.

And about the bedding issue. I also never heard of a company providing bedding for you. If they'll stick you in a hotel for a week the hotel will obviously provide the bedding. But when you go with that trainer don't expect him to share his blanket and pillow. You'll be taking the top bunk and you put your stuff there.

About the atlas, your trainer will have one. So if you don't bring one it will be fine. If anything you can buy an atlas at one of the 20 truck stops you'll pass every day. I wouldn't bring one with me. You'll have enough to carry.

We all recommend get your permit BEFORE you attend their schooling. Those first few days are long hours of classroom time studying for the permit test. Everyone will be on edge and stressed out. But you'll be on cruise control simply because you took the time to study before you came to school. It will make the schooling a lot easier on you. Plus you'll come into the classroom knowing much more than any other student - HUGE advantage.

That is just my opinion, I hope I helped.

Thanks Daniel B. It did help. On the atlas, I was more concerned about using it in class for the route planning sections. They are huge, and I won't plan on getting one.

Thanks again.

Keep it safe out there. Joe S

In my pre-hire letter from Werner on the back they gave me a list of things I needed to bring with me. Which included.

Adequate clothing for 7-10 days, including casual work clothes and a coat.

Shampoo, soap, toothbrush, deodorant, etc.

Sleeping bag or bedding (twin sheets), pillow, towel and a washcloth.

Laundry detergent

Soft-sided luggage bag or duffel bag.

Backpack or book bag (Including pen, pencil, notebook and handheld calculator).

Work gloves, flashlight and sunglasses.

So if you was wondering on what you needed this could be used as an example for you when you head out for training. You might not need all of that^, but I know most of it you will.

Thanks Michael for the input.

I had that list from other sites and asked her about it. She said I needed nothing.

Even if she said you didn't need to bring anything. I would still bring something with me just incase. I'd rather be over prepared then not prepared at all. Ya know?

Thanks Daniel B. It did help. On the atlas, I was more concerned about using it in class for the route planning sections. They are huge, and I won't plan on getting one.

Thanks again.

Keep it safe out there. Joe S

I see. At Central when we did our studies that involved an atlas they simply made two people share one. So the person on your right and you would do the exercise together using the atlas.

Not every atlas is huge. There are small versions. It wouldn't be a bad idea to buy one of those just in case. I bought one for my wife for 10$.

When you said that Celedon will provide your bedding for training, all I could think of was used sleeping bags.....I'd be for bringing my own, and they can keep theirs...