Day One Swift Training Dallas Texas December 2014

Well, today was day one and it was long and boring. We are having an unseasonably cold snap right now. I went to bed and it was in the high 60's. I woke up and it was in the 30's! Luckily, I turned the news on and saw the weather, so I dressed accordingly. I arrived early and waited in front of the hotel for others to show up. No one did. I looked at my watch and was really scared when the clock went past 0745 AM, which was the time that we were supposed to meet up. Finally, 2 fellow classmates stopped (they were in a vehicle) and asked if I was going to school for Swift. I said "Yes!" they said "Get in, you're late!" So, I rode in with them. We were still early getting in. (It is only a couple of blocks walking distance.) The teacher admonished us as we walked in. I explained that I was doing as I was told and she dismissed what I was saying and was ordering all of us to move up and cluster in the front of the class. We did so, and then the two instructors left the room. People were actually making phone calls while we were in class. I was really shocked about that. I don't know what I was expecting, to be honest, but this was shocking. The instructor came back in the class and started handing out a couple of forms for us to read and sign. One that I objected to was a photo and image release. I asked "What happens if we don't sign this?" and she said "You can walk out right now." Wow. I am not impressed with her teaching style as I think that teachers and students should be respectful of one another. Anyway, rant over, we all got piled into taxi-vans and taken to the Concentra lab testing site. *Warning: Bring a water bottle and a snack, a phone/tablet/something to entertain yourself. You will be there at least two hours. We arrived @ 0900 and we left at 1400. There were 14 of us when we arrived. 2 of us were released from the program right there. One had high blood pressure and the other had a back problem that he needed a release form or something for. I was listening to other people in the room talk while we were waiting. Here are some other things to mention. *LIST EVERY MEDICATION THAT YOU ARE TAKING OR HAVE TAKEN IN THE PAST 90 DAYS! Apparently, some medicines can cause false positives. I don't know which ones or what they show up as. I just made it a point to list everything that I have taken such as daily vitamins, motrin, aleve, etc. I don't want to have a problem, so I listed everything on an index card while I was waiting to be given the form, then wrote it in. I think I remembered everything and I don't do anything illegal. We were delayed because one of the guys in our group was unable to give an adequate sample. We had to wait until he had consumed enough water to be able to provide the urine. So, here is another piece of advice from Pepper. *Drink water. From the point you wake up until you are in the testing room urinating, drink water. Not sips. Drink water. Take your multi-vitamin, your medications and drink water. You need to give at least 1.5 ounces. I filled the sample cup all the way to the top of the cup, and then some. It is an 8 ounce cup, so don't think I gave a gallon. You should give the same amount. Otherwise, you and your group will be waiting there until all of the samples are completed.

We then had to wait for the cabs to come back and get us, we were given some information to read and review. There are 2 different groups in my class. Those with Texas drivers' licenses, and those without. Those with a Texas DL will be going to Corsicana on Sunday. Those without will be going to Utah.

Shortly after, we were given our homework assignment, reading chapters, some other handouts and told that we were dismissed, come back tomorrow @ 0750 for 0800 class. I came home, had a quick nap and have been doing homework since then. I then made dinner, went back to studying and decided to give you all an update on the first day in the class. I read the comment about the La Quinta being the new hotel down in Corsicana, I am really grateful for that. Please keep on thinking of me in your thoughts, prayers and well wishes. I want to be successful and make my family proud. I will update again as soon as I am able, I will try and update at least once a week in Corsicana, but from what I hear, it seems to be a lot more hectic down there, so if nothing else, I will make good notes that I will transcribe here when I have spare time. Before Utah/Texas DL split: Start of class: 14 Current number: 12

Pepper,

Pokin' 'round the TruckingTruth blogs. Read yours. (I'm going to get into Knight Transportation, thought about Swift, but Knight is only 2 miles from the house.) Lots of detail here, hope you can keep it up. Thanks for the Drink the Water tip.

I'll add in Knight when I get started.

ErrolV

Haha, reading these going to CDL school logs on here is quite entertaining!

Keep kickin' ass & takin' names!