Orientation, Day 3

Well today we were picked up by our instructor Tim in the company van. He showed us the top two accounts here in Cedar Rapids by driving thru the yards showing and giving us tips. Tip #1: When going to the Paper Mill take the second exit ramp, not the first since you cannot turn left at it. After about an hour we went back to the terminal for class. We covered a lot of ground today. Tim showed us how to weigh the axles on the tractor and trailer and how to move the 5th wheel and the tandems. Tim advised us early that the speed limit inside the yard is 10 mph and to have our hazard lights on. Someone should have said something to this grumpy driver who came in. Some of my fellow classmates said he was doing like 25 and when Tim talked to him about the scale, this driver acted very grumpy. We didn't let him ruin our day.

In the yard I did get to see a guy I used to work with at a past job. Plus he was about a month ahead of me at Hawkeye and getting hired here at West Side. It was nice to touch base with him. I didn't get to see Sue today if she stopped. Today we lost another student. The first one I don't know exactly why she left. Someone said she had a family emergency and another one said something about the physical. The one we lost today lives next door to my city and went to the six week course at Hawkeye. They took her away today. Reason for her was some or one of the meds she is on is on the list that is not allowed by drivers to take. A narcotic of some sort.

Now we all can fit in the minivan for transportation from the hotel and back. The younger kid that picked us up today and Monday is a lot friendlier than the one from yesterday. Yesterday guy acted like he didn't want to talk to us. Oh well, his lost! : ) I think this group of classmates is a pretty good group. We help each other out. Two students got their trucks today due to they have a lot of prier experience. The dude left half way thru the day and the girl is sleeping in her truck tonight at the yard and will leave sometime tomorrow. I like her attitude and she is funny. Three classmates are going out for two weeks of training with a driver instructor. They have prier experience. One is a Hub Driver out of the Quad Cities and the other two I am not sure of. Myself and the remaining classmate are going out for four weeks of training.

Today I was advised that I am getting a new training instructor in the truck. The other one had a family emergency. So this new one is a fellow guy and lives in Minnesota somewhere. Anna said I might only get one day in the truck before he takes home time. I told her that is fine by me. I am sure I will get my time in the truck. Hopefully he is a decent instructor. We always hear about rude instructors and how negative some of them are and are only in it for the extra pay.

I had to take a trip home after class today. Evidently the company needs two years of my W2s for employment verification. My recruiter said otherwise if they call the employee verification number that they have to pay like $30. Whatever. I also picked up a few things I forgot to grab the first time. Plus I got to see my babies (3 cats) and my mom gave me some healthy snacks. Thanks Mom!

Time to sign off!

I was in CR yesterday at about 4:30, only long enough to do a couple of drop n hooks then drive back to st louis and Atlanta today. I was hoping we would have time to grab an awesome steak at that grill at the hotel, but no time. We will most certainly run into each other sometime. Smaller companies are good for that.