WTG ladies .... this is awesome ! Your going to work for a good company. Here's a site that is 99% all CFI drivers. They talk about the good and the not so good about the job and glad to help you out as much as possible............
http://www.cfidrivers.com/phpbb2/index.php
This site was started by a CFI driver which goes by the handle 'Crocodile'. I know you'll enjoy yourself there ...
CFI will put you up in the Holiday Inn - very comfortable- they will send a CFI bus over to pick you up each morning for orintation and take you back at the end of the day. CFI also has a shuttle bus that comes by the hotel several times during the day to drop you off at places to eat, Walmart, and etc. ... They pay for your lunch each day while in class also. One big thing they are VERY serious about and that's being Late for class or anything.
Tom Edwards and Sally are the two people who's over the 'Finishers' .. their both nice people. You'll fill out a sheet the first day your there about your personality because they try to set you up with a Finisher that is sort of like you. So if you don't smoke or it makes you sick be sure and put that on that paper ... etc..
The first day after filling out your paper work they will take you on a driving test ... then you'll return back to CFI to the big parking lot and do a 45 back ..... they will talk you through everything they want you to do ... so just take a deep breath - try to shake off your fear and do everything you were taught in school. They know you've just come out of school so they don't expect you to be perfect !
At some point during the 3-4 days of class you will go out to the far back corner of the lot and they have a test area where you will drive in circles, turn tight corners, 'S' shape and etc. Again they will walk you through everything they want you to do.
The last day your Finisher will be there to greet you and take time for both of you to get to know each other a bit before heading out. I don't know if your driving your car to Joplin or not .. I did so I was able to leave my extra's in my car that I needed once I got off the Finishers truck .. all you'll need to take with you is a fold up clothes bag, a small bag to hold your shampoos and extra for shower ... a couple of fine point black ink pens, ruler (I beleive they give you one the first day in your red bag they hand you) 2 pairs of shoes, ask your Finisher if he/she has a ice box and if so can you put some lunch meat or yogurt in there,etc.............. One thing you need to remember :!: - - if for Any Reason you don't feel like your Finisher is teaching you fully or being able to anwer your questions about trucking .... call Sally or Tom Edwards and talk with them about this - - if possible they will set you up with another Finisher ..... I've know a few people who have done just that .. and it worked out fine. No one at the office will think bad of you for calling in .... this is Your future ..... and Your life ... and CFI wants you to be the best driver possible. Their picky about who they hire.
During your time there ... go upstairs to see the 'war' room - where all the dispatchers set ..... it's quite overwhelming ... there's a solid sheet of glass between you and them so you won't be bothering them ... look up on the walls and you'll see 2-3 screens on each side, on those screens it shows which trucks are running Late, weather, etc.
If I can help you in any way let me know