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Originally Posted by bigdaddyjollyrob
Hey Butch, the training was great and yes dennis was the director of the school. The instructors were Moe,carl,Jimmy and my man Harry O. Harry is the full timer and the others are part time now. Follow the pre trip the way they teach it and you will not have any problems at all. Focus on your maneuvers practice every chance you can. I benefited on the rainy days because some guys didnt want to get wet and I stayed outside and worked. I graduated on time for my schedule and early by theirs. It will get frustrating when the next class after yours comes in because the yard will be a cluster f#@$. Just focus on you. Abf will come in they're very hard to get into but when the time comes put in the application. Their are local jobs around that you can get experience with. Dont be afraid to take a decent class B job if offered. I passed on one and it's turning out to be a mistake. The guy that took that job is bringing home over $900 a week working 50+ hrs a week at $16hr. Best of luck. Let me know when you start and one of these days I'll pop in to say hi to your class & the instructors.
Butch, also start filling out apps to OTR companies now if your going that route. Also tell them you train on 48's not pups. I lost some opportunities because we trained on pups. When you graduate you could also look for jobs as a yard jockey. Companies don't count it as experience but it's great practice.
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Thanks for the quick response. After talking to Dennis I went outside and met Carl when I was at the school last week and he's cool, come's fishing down in Newport sometimes, where I live. I have been reading the PTDI handbook to pre-educate myself on the ins and outs of trucks and driving so I'll also be able to complete the course ahead of the full schedule.
I plan to use the most of the training course and I also will be outside with my raingear getting wet when needed. Thanks for the tip about the 48's, I did notice when I was there that the biggest trailer was only a 24' or 28' or something, it's alright to learn on but I will definitely tell the companies I was driving 48's.
Did I read somewhere that you applied for ABF? If so how did that go, I guess it didn't pan out? Are you still working the recycling gig, how's that going?
I am considering OTR as well as local, of course, but I still have to get my girl to succumb to my efforts to go OTR for the learning experience. The kids will be out of school in a couple more years and if I get OTR training now then by the time they're out of school she can hop in the cab with me and see the country together...we'll see.
Bottom line is that if I'm able to find a stable job like you mentioned making around 8 or 9 a week local then I'm taking it, if not then OTR seems like an ok option to learn with.
Thanks again for the help. I'll keep you posted on my progress as I go along. I plan to start a new post when school starts so I can document the course and curriculum for any other newbies that follow. I read the post about NETTTS, and after reading and visiting the place myself I am so glad that I chose the Teamsters for training. NETTTS is a total suck job.
Peace,
Butch
