Two weeks to go if all goes well. I’m sure that I will never stop learning but I think I am becoming a fairly good driver. I will take the CDL on Wednesday the 8th in Albany GA. Training with a regional driver is giving me the opportunity to do lots of backing, moving tandems, setting up bulkheads, securing loads, scaling and dealing with customers. I think that it may be more valuable to have more of these experiences with an experienced driver trainer on board than doing long drives.

I really need to have my own truck. I know that my trainer is an excellent driver but he really makes it a lot harder on himself than it needs to be. His truck is a mess. I wash the windshield and mirrors but he thinks I’m wasting my time because they are just going to get dirty again. He doesn’t even put water in his cooler. He seems to only eat at McDonalds or a fried chicken place. Rather than eating inside the restaurant he usually sits in the truck with the windows open. I guess it comes down to the fact that he is usually home every weekend and gets to stop by home during the week sometimes. I’m going to be over the road so I need some of the comforts of home. I also need control of the radio, windows and air conditioner. This all serves as incentive for me to perform well enough to get my own truck at the end of five weeks rather than having to spend more time in this truck.

Millis requires a minimum of five weeks with the driver trainer. If he deems you ready, you take a driving test with a Millis training director and they decide at that time if you are ready. My driver trainer says I will be ready unless something goes wrong like failing the CDL and not being able to reschedule quickly or if I do something stupid like having an accident or getting a ticket.

The next time I post I should have my Class A license and an appointment to test for and hopefully get my own truck. Wish me luck!