Day 2 Of Orientation

Well today we had to take a hazmat test that is done every three years. This company does not haul hazmat, but we will haul I think it was empty batteries which does not require the trailer to be placard which is fine by me and my fellow classmates. As a matter of fact a few spoke up asking that they believed that we did not have to get a hazmat endorsement. Instructor said no which really did put everyone as ease including myself.

We got out at 5 pm again today but did not get picked up until about 5:45 pm. Everyone did not mind too much since it turned out to be a beautiful day. Tomorrow the instructor Tim is supposedly going to show up how to slide the tandems (watched a video of him on youtube before I came here). There is an 80% of rain. He told us to bring our raincoats. I don't see why he couldn't bring the unit into the garage where it is dry. I guess we will find out tomorrow. Two classmates will get their trucks tomorrow due to that they have lots of over the road experience. One is regional midwest like me and the other is fleet over the road and going to be out 3 to 4 weeks at a time if she desires too.

For us that are Midwest Regional will be out 1 week at a time with 2 days at home. For me this is my first time in my life to be far away from home for an extended period of time. I am looking forward to it. I know that there will be good days and bad days and there may even be days that I may want to quit. Of my past jobs I have felt like that before, but I stuck it out and I hope that I do hear as well. So far it sounds like a good company and the holiday pay we will get after being here for so many years "far exceeds" anything I have ever seen. Vacation time is not too shabby either. My last job I was receiving 3 weeks which was very nice.

Getting back to the classroom time for today. We signed up for the insurance plans that we want to receive. Of course if everything goes okay in the probationary period that will start after 60 days I believe. And for the 401k we have to wait 6 months for which is fine. We went over a ton of paperwork for training. Some of us in class believe that training should be at least a week. The amount of knowledge that they are cramming into our brains is overwhelming sometimes. Of course we will go over it with our trucker instructor. So either tomorrow or Thursday we are supposed to do a drive test with a lady (cannot remember her name) from Kentucky with a heavy accent to us. To her we have the accent, funny. It will be in a 10 spd and one backing up as well. Most of the backing up to park I can do okay, it's the 45 angle parking that I might struggle at for a while. We did it only a few times at CDL School. I understand the concept, but my trailer never seemed too (ha! ha!).

Again thank you Sue D. for your comment. I do appreciate those.

Signing off!

Holly from Safety will do your road test. Shes a sweetie originally from Paintsville,KY and is an experienced OTR driver. She drove OTR for about 15 years for Werner I think. They simply do the road and backing test at first to let your trainer know what you need most help with. After your 30 day training, theyll repeat the road test and backing. Holly will simply be "looking for improvement" at that time. Easy peasy so dont be nervous.

Oh and you are correct.. We do not do hazmat at all and a hazmat endorsement is not required.

This little "hazmat" test is so you can haul loads to Lowes DCs and individual stores. The loads from a DC to a store contain a hodgepodge of items, including small amounts of paint and/or batteries.

They also want you to be able to recognize a hazmat load on BOLs so you dont haul a hazmat liad accidentally.