Whew, time sure flies by. Things are going good. Don't tell anyone but my first night out of training was very taxing. On my first load, the rack went down for 3 hours. There I sat, all loaded and waiting for the computer tech in Houston (!!) to come back to work on a Friday evening and fix the network so we could print out BOLs in Phoenix again

.And then, at my second stop of the night, I locked myself out of the truck! I had finished unloading and had the paperwork all signed. I took off my coat and threw it up on the passenger's seat, locked the door and closed it.

Unfortunately, the key was in the coat pocket. And I was standing outside a locked Freightliner Columbia in the cold evening breeze. I'm not going to tell you how I finally got in, because it's embarrasing. Needless to say, I've renewed my AAA membership for this year. Next time (knock on wood) I'll just call for Lockout Service.

Since then, things have been ironing themselves out. Had a glitch at the first of the month with my name not being written on the February schedule by mistake. Extra day off for me. On Saturday night I pulled 8 loads. That's a lot for a 10 hour shift. Thank goodness for this being my three-day "weekend".

I'M DONE WITH TRAINING! I was released from training today and start working the night shift tomorrow night. Whoa. I have to take a Driver Certification class at Kinder Morgan on the first, and then I'll be "carded" (certified) to load at most of the racks I'll use. 

Now comes the fun part. Acclimating my body to working nights and sleeping during the days. It'll be easy during the week because everyone is at school and work. Weekends should be a challenge since the kids will be up early and the house will be full all day. 

Returned from a week in Sacramento last night. Flight back kept getting delayed later and later. 

Interesting week. Learned a lot about the culture of the company, as well as the proper way to complete paperwork. I also took most of the class training necessary to get certified at the various loading racks we use. 

Now I just need the practical hands-on experience before I can my certification and authorization to load. Training is fun so far. 

First day of truck training. They put us on the truck with an instructor for at least a week or two before we head off for classroom training. This allows us some sort of basis for comprehending the paperwork and certification training we will receive in class.

I can see how this could be a dirty job if you don't think things through and learn how not to "hug the hose". 

Received the "All Clear" call today. Everything came back ok and I'm all set to start on December 29th.

I am scheduled to travel to Sacramento the second week of January for classroom training. I'll update as I can.

Well, I went to a new-hire orientation today. I had to take the day off from Schneider to attend. I'm all set except for the results of the drug test I took today. Time to give my notice at Schneider. 

Yesterday morning I went to get the physical taken care of. In the afternoon I went over to the MVD office and took my tanker endorsement test. 

Unfortunately I also had to retake my HazMat test so I could start my TSA clearance proceedings and keep my HazMat while proving that I am not a threatening evil terrorist type personage.

Today I stopped by an office in downtown Phoenix and had my fingerprints collected. I had to fill out an online form last night and pay $94 for the background check. 

Well, I didn't make it the first time around. However, I received a phone call from the hiring guy this morning. I have to get another DOT physical, as well as some sort of strength test. And then go to the MVD to take the test for my Tank Trailer endorsement.

I took a basic road test today. I have to remember that placarded units STOP for railroad crossings. Now I wait for the call.

There are 5 applicants for three positions. If I don't make it this time around, there should be more openings in a month or so. 

I had my interview with the hiring guy for Beneto. Now I have to schedule a road test in a few days .