The Crete orientation process in Marietta Ga is a busy time. A good size group that started on Monday was finishing up today and getting assignments. Then the group I'm in, that started today, is a bit smaller. There is a group of ladies who are each assigned to a few drivers to work us through the process. This is good because, at least today everyone was in a different stage of the process and it kept us from having to wait on each other.
Actually, day one is still a qualifying period to determine if an employment offer will be made. Days two and three are the real orientation days. I guess the only dis-qualifier on those days would be a failed drug screen result or some skeleton that could emerge from your closet.
My first impression is that the people are friendly, the equipment looks very good and the facility in Marietta is nice. Crete seems to be very particular about the way things are done.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
First Day of Orientation
The first day of orientation is done. The usual stacks of papers to sign.
Took the drive test in a brand new Prostar. That was one nice truck! The test consisted of pre-trip, coupling a trailer, driving for 30 minutes or so around city streets and a bit of I 75. There was one set of tracks where I had to demonstrate a proper hazmat crossing. Then back to the terminal to do a back and then un-couple.
Then it was more papers before going off to the work test and physical.
The work test was very rigorous. It consisted lifting 25, 50, and 75 pound boxes repeatedly to a shelf that was waist high and back down. Then lifting the 25 pound box on to a shelf shoulder high a bunch of times. Then pushing and pulling, both horizontally and vertically, a device that measures strength. Then it was back to the boxes. I had to carry the 25 and 50 pounders 53 feet 5 times each, followed by the 75 pounder 3 times.
The last trick in the show was to put my foot on a shelf about 32 inches high and reach a bar that was at the top of my reach. Then, step/pull myself up on the shelf and back down 5 times.
During all of this I was wearing a heart rate monitor and I had to stay below a rate that they calculated for me based on my age. He said that if I go over then I would have to stop and show that it would recover in 30 seconds. I didn't go over but it did get me going. Last was the actual DOT physical.
If this is the future, then let this be notice. There were a lot of guys who went home because they were in such bad shape they couldn't do the work. Many of them complained about it and some made plans to go to a doctor for help. In the group I went over with, I was by far the oldest at 58. I have always been bothered by the condition I see some drivers in. My advice is, if a driver wants to stay eligible to drive, rather than complaining about the changes coming, they should start working on their health. They need to do it with some urgency too.
Took the drive test in a brand new Prostar. That was one nice truck! The test consisted of pre-trip, coupling a trailer, driving for 30 minutes or so around city streets and a bit of I 75. There was one set of tracks where I had to demonstrate a proper hazmat crossing. Then back to the terminal to do a back and then un-couple.
Then it was more papers before going off to the work test and physical.
The work test was very rigorous. It consisted lifting 25, 50, and 75 pound boxes repeatedly to a shelf that was waist high and back down. Then lifting the 25 pound box on to a shelf shoulder high a bunch of times. Then pushing and pulling, both horizontally and vertically, a device that measures strength. Then it was back to the boxes. I had to carry the 25 and 50 pounders 53 feet 5 times each, followed by the 75 pounder 3 times.
The last trick in the show was to put my foot on a shelf about 32 inches high and reach a bar that was at the top of my reach. Then, step/pull myself up on the shelf and back down 5 times.
During all of this I was wearing a heart rate monitor and I had to stay below a rate that they calculated for me based on my age. He said that if I go over then I would have to stop and show that it would recover in 30 seconds. I didn't go over but it did get me going. Last was the actual DOT physical.
If this is the future, then let this be notice. There were a lot of guys who went home because they were in such bad shape they couldn't do the work. Many of them complained about it and some made plans to go to a doctor for help. In the group I went over with, I was by far the oldest at 58. I have always been bothered by the condition I see some drivers in. My advice is, if a driver wants to stay eligible to drive, rather than complaining about the changes coming, they should start working on their health. They need to do it with some urgency too.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Testing
Update. I secured the hazmat endorsement today. I did the background check a year and a half ago when I was trying to get a job but I never took the test because Millis rehired me.
On the slight down side, for the first time, I couldn't pass the vision test without my glasses. At my age, when I start having body functions degrade, it worries me what might be next.
On the slight down side, for the first time, I couldn't pass the vision test without my glasses. At my age, when I start having body functions degrade, it worries me what might be next.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
On The Road Again
After 8 months of job search I am going to be "on the road again..". Tired of hunting and being a house husband.
On Wednesday the 5th I will be in orientation with Crete Carrier. This is a much larger company than my previous one so I will be driving all 48 states and not so much of the north east and New England area.
I am kind of excited to see more of the country and am ready to roll.
On Wednesday the 5th I will be in orientation with Crete Carrier. This is a much larger company than my previous one so I will be driving all 48 states and not so much of the north east and New England area.
I am kind of excited to see more of the country and am ready to roll.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Long Time Comin' Back Around
Well it's been nearly five months since my last post here. Things are secure here on the home front with all of the drama put to rest. The job hunt is still on. I guess I can't rule out driving OTR again but it's not my preference. Can you believe that the pizza delivery jobs that I have applied for haven't even called?
I was talking to a driver friend the other day and we were wondering aloud if having 'OTR Truck Driver' on my application and resume was the problem. So many people have a stereo type image of drivers as gypsy, unwashed, theive'n, speed heads who would probably pee in their parking lots. I hope not but I wonder.
I have started a new and more ambitious blog called VBobVille. While there is no menu button on the top menu there is a Truckin' link in the right column categories list, or just click Truckin' here but please take a minute to look around the rest of the site. Comments, likes or other feedback is useful. I only have a couple of videos posted in that category because it's not the purpose of VBobVille.
That's my update. Everyone be safe.
VBob
I was talking to a driver friend the other day and we were wondering aloud if having 'OTR Truck Driver' on my application and resume was the problem. So many people have a stereo type image of drivers as gypsy, unwashed, theive'n, speed heads who would probably pee in their parking lots. I hope not but I wonder.
I have started a new and more ambitious blog called VBobVille. While there is no menu button on the top menu there is a Truckin' link in the right column categories list, or just click Truckin' here but please take a minute to look around the rest of the site. Comments, likes or other feedback is useful. I only have a couple of videos posted in that category because it's not the purpose of VBobVille.
That's my update. Everyone be safe.
VBob
Monday, May 3, 2010
Final Chapters for VBob OTR
Well the journey is over. My venture into driving a big truck over the road has come to a close. Today I turned in my keys and said goodbye to the Millis folks in Cartersville GA and to my travel agent in Black River Falls WI. For now I'll just say that I have circumstances that require me to be home. It wasn't going to be a long term career anyway.
I drove for 13 months straight and 20 months total. I had a commitment to myself to drive at least 12 months. I will be returning to my technology roots in some form or another. The job hunt is beginning now.
I will do another post soon summarizing my time and lasting impressions as a driver but need a while to put that together.
I drove for 13 months straight and 20 months total. I had a commitment to myself to drive at least 12 months. I will be returning to my technology roots in some form or another. The job hunt is beginning now.
I will do another post soon summarizing my time and lasting impressions as a driver but need a while to put that together.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
I'm Still Gone, I Ain't Back Yet.
Another week is is in the book. The last time I posted I was headed to Milwaukee. After delivering there, I went to the terminal in Richfield to wait for my next load. And I waited. Finally I got a message. I saw a load going to Shawano WI just about 100 miles north, delivering at 1200 the next day. I figured I had lots of time so I walked and ate and slept and slept and slept some more. I woke up around 0500 and decided to go take a shower and get some coffee to go with my oatmeal. While my breakfast was cooking I decided to see exactly where my delivery was.
It was then that I noticed it was two stops. I scrolled down quickly and saw that there was another stop in Fond Du Lac. Great, I'm not even fueled and I need to be 40 miles down the road in 30 minutes. I scrambled and made both stops while kicking myself, verbally, out loud, the whole time.
Back in control of myself again, I then headed over to Green Bay. I had a load of reconditioned kegs going to Anheuser Bush in Columbus OH. I also had a pre-trip plan to go to Trenton OH and drop and hook, going to Jessup MD for 0800 on Monday. That's right between Baltimore and Washington DC.
crossing Ohio my truck suddenly got real loud while. There is a flex pipe beneath the turbo that is part of the exhaust system. It was hanging by a thread, rusted through. I got to the Trenton terminal and contacted dispatch and the shop in Black River. Thinking my weekend was shot I was surprised when the shop said they would call someone in on overtime. By 2030 I was fixed. I contacted dispatch and found out that my load was given to another driver so he sent me another. This one I picked up this morning and it delivers in Richmond VA. That's a real break for me. I would choose Richmond VA over the crazy traffic between Baltimore and Washington DC any day.
So I'm in Richmond now and will deliver in the morning. The miles are a little short again this week but the driving was tough. I've been on the east coast twice now including New Jersey and Philadelphia. I also have been through Chicago twice and have had to cross the mountains four times, about 2680 miles.
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It was then that I noticed it was two stops. I scrolled down quickly and saw that there was another stop in Fond Du Lac. Great, I'm not even fueled and I need to be 40 miles down the road in 30 minutes. I scrambled and made both stops while kicking myself, verbally, out loud, the whole time.
Back in control of myself again, I then headed over to Green Bay. I had a load of reconditioned kegs going to Anheuser Bush in Columbus OH. I also had a pre-trip plan to go to Trenton OH and drop and hook, going to Jessup MD for 0800 on Monday. That's right between Baltimore and Washington DC.
crossing Ohio my truck suddenly got real loud while. There is a flex pipe beneath the turbo that is part of the exhaust system. It was hanging by a thread, rusted through. I got to the Trenton terminal and contacted dispatch and the shop in Black River. Thinking my weekend was shot I was surprised when the shop said they would call someone in on overtime. By 2030 I was fixed. I contacted dispatch and found out that my load was given to another driver so he sent me another. This one I picked up this morning and it delivers in Richmond VA. That's a real break for me. I would choose Richmond VA over the crazy traffic between Baltimore and Washington DC any day.
So I'm in Richmond now and will deliver in the morning. The miles are a little short again this week but the driving was tough. I've been on the east coast twice now including New Jersey and Philadelphia. I also have been through Chicago twice and have had to cross the mountains four times, about 2680 miles.
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