I’m finished with the first two weeks with my Millis driving trainer. He’s a good driver and is serious about safety. I like that. He is a Marine and so is no nonsense. I like that to. We are getting along fine on a professional level but are very different culturally otherwise. By the time five or six weeks have gone by we will be very tired of each other but I’m sure that’s normal.

We are driving a KW T600 so it’s a little crowded in there. We have been all over Georgia and have been to North and South Carolina, Alabama and through Indiana and Illinois on the way to and from Wisconsin. Our freight is mostly glass, beer, tissue paper and Wal-Mart stuff.

So far the biggest challenges driving have been Atlanta traffic, particularly last Friday on the connector during concert and Braves game traffic, and of course Chicago. I know now why the terrorist haven’t attacked places like Chicago. I don’t think you can tear it up much worse than it already is.

Since I’m with a regional driver he doesn’t go out much. He is used to fairly strident living conditions; fast food at truck stops, no satellite radio and basically no supplies on board. So far we have showered every other day and fueled mostly at Millis terminals.

Things I have been impressed with are the variety of different trucks and freight concentrated at truck stops at night and the skill of some of the drivers I’ve seen on the road. Things that worry me include the negative and down right hostile attitude of some truckers and the lack of skill or carelessness of a lot of drivers. I see why the driving profession is so scrutinized. It seems like hostility has replaced courtesy.

All in all I’m doing well and hope to get into my own truck by the end of five weeks but if it takes longer then I’ll stick it out. I’m told it will be a KW T2000, probably an 05 or 06. Cool.

Waiting on a trainer

Well, I’m taking care of some loose ends at home as I wait to hit the road with my trainer. I spoke with him on the phone. He is a southeast regional driver. My options are to have him pick me up near my home and then whenever he has TAH, which is almost every weekend, I’m stuck in his truck. Option two is to drive 120 miles to meet him at the Pilot in Warner Robbins GA and leave my Tundra there. Then, when he has TAH, I can drive 120 miles home and then 120 miles back when he’s ready to go again. I guess option two is best but I don’t like the idea of leaving my Tundra at the Pilot for a week or two.

Meanwhile, Jacques, my room mate from MTI, left on Tuesday and has been to customers in Ohio, up-state New York, Ohio again and will be south of Birmingham tomorrow. My other classmate ‘Homer Simpson’ left Wednesday and is in Wisconsin now.

It’s a little surprising but I actually feel a ‘need’ to be on the road. I have the newbie enthusiasm so I can’t wait. I should be rolling on Saturday or Sunday.

Oh, Sunday was my anniversary. I have been married to my dear wife for twenty four years. We’ve had lots of highs and lows but no regrets. In fact we are truly united as one.

First stage is over

7/5 – 7/10

Well, the night drive was fun and I felt confident with my shifting. Of course it will change with a different truck and with a load but I got it now. Orientation is over as well and I am now a Millis employee, on paper.

My class mates have known their trainers for days now and are already on the road. So far I don’t have one. I didn’t request a non smoker or anything. I did tell Greg that I can put up with a lot but if I get one who is disrespectful or likes to yell then there will be a reckoning. I think maybe they are just taking care to find me a good one. If you are a trainer with Millis, please, come and get me.

To sum the three weeks all up, it was a very good experience. The facilities, instructor and training process were top notch. Every driver that I spoke with in private was very happy with their job at Millis. I really feel that it is a company that is big enough to be a player but small enough to be personal. I think any person who has integrity and is willing to work hard can be happy here. I also get the feeling that if you are lack integrity they will sack you in a NY minute. I made a good choice in companies.

So that is the end of the first stage of Millis training in Cartersville Georgia as I experienced it.

7/4

I am at home watching The History Channels “The Revolution”. It is an incredible story that I can’t get enough of. Later we watch a DVD of “The Patriot” with Mel Gibson.

We spent Monday and Tuesday doing more driving. Monday we saw three states going two lane most of the time. We went up through north Georgia to Tennessee and then east to North Carolina then back down to Georgia and west to Cartersville again. Tuesday we went back to Alabama and looped back to Cartersville.My down shifting is much better now. I am finding the shift positions better. I had to get used to the long stroke or throw of the shifter. I am used to shifting a car or pickup with just my wrist and moving the shifter diagonally. Also I have learned to really slow down to give myself a lot more time for down shifting. Seventh is my friend and oh, don’t forget the range selector. I know that to you experienced drivers you don’t think about these things that much. Well, I am finding out that the more I drive the less I have to think about them to.

Greg has come up with a plan to allow us to enjoy the 4th and get some valuable experience. In stead of returning to Cartersville tonight and driving all day Thursday we are returning to class around 1600 on Thursday and driving through the night. So now I can relax and enjoy the 4th. Next update will probably be Friday. Happy 4th.