TransAm Orientation

So today was a blast! They picked me up at the hotel around 8 and we went over to the terminal. First thing I did was go down to the range and run the course. Driving part was perfect! I did all my backing exercises pretty well with just a couple of struggles. I'm having trouble setting up the 45 between trailers but I'm making improvements. Then came the fun part!

We went and grabbed a newer truck and I got to do some real world work! We went out on the yard and I hooked up a trailer and drove around to find a spot to back in to do a 45. It took me a couple of resets but I finally got it. Dropped that trailer and went and picked up another one and did it again.

After that we got a phone call. They had three trucks that needed to go up the road to the body shop so I got to drive a bobtail all by myself! They put me in the middle and down the road we went.

I did discover that I suck at backing up the bobtail. I want to back it up like there is a trailer attached! I'm having to reverse my thinking and it's driving me crazy. It will come with time I'm sure

Now I'm back at the hotel for the weekend until my trainer comes to pick me up Monday morning. Yay...

This week has been full of ups and downs. Nerves, fear and doubt were all eating away at me to the point where I almost gave up and went home. After I made the decision to stay, all the fear went away and I have been much more confident and able to learn.

Everyone I've met here is super nice. All of the people in training and development truly want people to succeed and will work with you on your problem areas. All of the road trainers I got to meet were awesome. All of them had the mentality that these students are with them to LEARN not be an extra big paycheck. Their students reflect their teaching abilities and they want them to succeed!

Great job ChickieMonster. and Good Luck

Congrats on finishing your first week and sticking it out!!! It's great that you're able to focus on the positives and are liking the job and people.

Still stuck at the hotel. And they have really crappy cable (no Food Network? Boo!) BUT they have great wifi! So I've been watching Allie Knight on YouTube since last night. I can't believe I never looked her up before cuz she is awesome! I haven't watched very much of the flatbed stuff because I'm totally into just watching her run down these beautiful roads in New England. It's really given me a better idea of life on the road and time management!

Oh and I discovered Perkins this morning. It's in the parking lot of the hotel and I had never even heard of it but the instructors at the terminal said I had to eat there. It was a splurge but the blueberry muffin was totally worth it! And I hate blueberry! Plus I brought a chocolate chocolate chip one back for tomorrow... It's sitting in its little bag calling my name right now...

Yummmm Chocolate Chips!!!!!

Yummmm Chocolate Chips!!!!!

I totally caved....

But it was worth it! Super yummy! I'm thinking about going to get a cranberry orange muffin in the morning. But I really want to get my laundry in early before all the students who are coming off their trainers trucks get there. There has already been two dropped off. I keep hearing the air brakes and think "oh truck!" And run to the window to see...

It's funny, I never used to look twice at trucks on the road before. Now I look at every one I pass! There are some beautiful ones out there! And I'm finding out what my preferences are on the trucks I drive. I liked the hood mirrors on the Freightliner at school much more than the KW but I like the way the KW handles better. Interesting how much the last 3 months has completely changed my life!

Glad u decided to stick with it ;) training can be hell..... but the end game was definitely worth it to me good luck

So I got a call from my trainer this morning. Turns out she had gone home which is why I'm having to wait. I have to spend another night here as she won't be in till Tuesday. BUT she is going to call the training coordinator and get me an extra week with her. Which is great!

She is pretty awesome! She asked me a whole bunch of questions about what I thought I did good (turns and not hitting stuff while turning) and what I needed work on (backing in tight spots and between trailers). We also talked about stuff I haven't had a chance to do like city traffic and driving in the rain.

She said flat out that she will give me every opportunity to work on my skills and she wants me to be successful once I get off her truck.

We had a nice conversation about why we decided to get into trucking and why we love it

All in all, I think we are going to get along great and that I am going to learn a lot with her! Super excited about finally getting out on the road. Not so much about having to stay another night in this hotel. Guess it's more Allie Knight videos for me!

I am really glad I got a woman trainer. I certainly wouldn't have turned down a male trainer, but it definitely makes this way more comfortable.

Just a note:

Cigarettes are crazy expensive in Kansas! Over 2 bucks more than I was paying in MO. So if you are coming this way, buy them somewhere else or over the border in MO!

It's great you for a female trainer since I've read they're harder to get. It sounds like your trainer really wants to help you excel. Good luck Tues and please keep us posted.

It's great you for a female trainer since I've read they're harder to get. It sounds like your trainer really wants to help you excel. Good luck Tues and please keep us posted.

They are a lot harder to get. I wanted to drive for May but they wouldn't have a trainer for me for 4 months! TransAm has such a short training period it's easy for them to get trainers in.

There also seems to be quite a lot of women here! They are super respectful and completely non judgmental. I was running around on the yard by myself between the bathroom and the driving range and I never got a wolf whistle or catcall or any craziness from the shop guys or other drivers. I'm very impressed with the level of professionalism here.