Day 23 of OTR Training 08/03/07
We had a 3pm appointment to load at the customer in Hyrum, UT but after speaking to them, they allowed us to go ahead and load early. It was a good thing too, as they started loading at 9:30am and did not get done until 12:30 in the afternoon!!! They NEVER loaded a flatbed before and on top of that, it was the forklift driver’s 2nd time operating the forklift.

I kept the left door closed and drove straight through to Missoula. Our Consignee receives 24/7 so we fueled up and went straight to them. This was the first, and I am sure not the last, time that a customer was less than pleasant to deal with. The guy was just down right rude!! I kept a smile on my face and just kept thinking to myself “if you don’t like your job, then quit”

After unloading we headed straight to the terminal which was only about 10 miles or so away and shut it down for the night.

 

Day 24 (and last day...I was Terminated today) of OTR Training 08/04/07
My trainer and I have gotten along pretty well for the most part. We had a couple of disagreements over the weeks and even had a minor “blow-up”. But I guess that should be expected when you put to grown men, and strangers at that, in a small box together 24/7.

While at the yard, he had me put up and take down a side kit. What a pain in the rear end it is!!! After that he showed me a couple of other things that he has not had the chance to do up to this point.

While I was carrying out his instructions on the side kit, he had gone inside the office. Well when he returned, and I was done, he said to take a break as he wanted to talk to me and it was not very good. He went on about this and that and told me he was sorry to inform me that I would not be going back out with him as I was just terminated. Terminated???? Why???? After letting me suffer for a few minutes, he starts laughing and says “yeah, you have been fired as a trainee and hired as a driver”…….I was shocked to say the least and asked he to explain as I am just in the 4th of 6 weeks of the training process.

He said that I was a fast learning and that I have done an excellent job thus far. He went on to explain to me why he felt this way. What happened was that he had called into Davis about releasing me a couple of days ago and while I was working on the side kit, he went inside to speak with the Operations Manager about it and got his blessing to release me early. I did have a slight indication that I might get released early but had no idea that it would be now.

Although come Monday I still have to take a securement test and driving test, the Operations Manager went ahead and assigned me a truck and trailer. I spent the rest of today moving the few belongings I had on my trainer’s truck into MY sweet looking 2005 KW T-800 flat-top.

 

Congratulations, you had me freaking out there for a minute or two. I read all you post out on the road and was happy you were doing so well. I just cannot post out on the road for some reason off my T-Mobil Dash. Looking forward to seeing you out on the road. That is what I was getting at the other day when you said you would be in Texas.

 

Congrats!!!! :rock:

I too was was flippin out when read the termination part! Whew! Keep up the great posts.

 

Thanks!!!! Believe me, I was a little freaked out when he first told me too I have seen many TMC trucks at the places we go so there is a good chance our paths will cross. When they do, dinner's on me!

 

I'll take you up on that. We need to get the CAD sticker thing going. Why don't you post your truck number when you get the chance.

 

I agree on the CAD sticker......as far as poting my truck number, I don't wan't to count my chickens before they hatch so I'll post it in my sig-line (like yours) when I pass all my test Monday :wink:

 

Actually, that's what I meant.

 

:lol: :lol: :lol:


Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Congratulations!! You had me going there for moment!! But, I should have remembered talking to Pat(Davis Recruiter) how your trainer called her up telling her that you had lefted the truck. Apparently, he is know for his practical jokes.

Is your trainer's truck and the one you truck similiarly powered? Can you confirm that it is a Cat C13 430hp engine?

BOL on your testing tomorrow. Are you ready to give up that "great" training salary and work for every mile?!?