Well yesterday was officially, I think, my last day of training with the company. After my training in CO, I was given a rental car a couple weeks ago and sent home. Then I went down to Denver to get some more training and take some final company tests last week. Took the company car home for the weekend and then headed back down Monday to take the CDL test up in Cheyenne on Tuesday.
The test wasn't bad at all. He had me do a pre-trip of the engine area, the coupling section, and the inside of the cab. It was weird because he had his little sheet where he had to mark off what WY wanted me to mention. Of course, I was trained in overkill by the company to mention damn near every part on the truck, how its connected and so on. Id mention 10 things, hed check one thing off. Oh well...whatever gets it done. The same for the air brake test. Their version only has 3 things, the one I was trained in has six different sub-tests, per se. I asked if I could just do my version and he said sure...I think that as long as I cover what the state wants, I'd be OK.
Then we did some backing exercises, a straight back, a offset back, and a 90. The 90 was tough for me, took 3 pull ups. I've done lots of 45's and can nail those most every time...the 90 sucked though because I just hadn't really done it before...just a matter of applying the concept I guess.
And then the drive portion...nothing exciting there. Passed the exam and got my paperwork. Went back down to Denver in the afternoon and caught a ride with the crew that brings the load to my town. Then today I went to the DMV and turned my papers in and got my CDL A license. Went out to the truck and did a lap around town and made a note of things I need to get worked on next time I have it in for maintenance as well as supplies I need. It's not a bad truck at all. A 2006 Freightliner Century S/T with a condo roof and a sleeper cab. Has 183k miles on it.
So right now Im just waiting for someone to pick me up as we are going to get the tractor and bring it to the truck stop and hook up to the trailer. Then in the morning, my first official salary day begins as soon as the other crew gives me a call to let me know they are getting close.