Adrian Gets Back On The Horse

Well, I've finally cooled off from being so angry.  I was not hired by Con-Way.  The way they went about it was cold.  Really cold.  Basically after four days of being in orientation, I talked to a woman who said I had four misdemeanors that I did not report.  I have no clue what she was talking about since I don't have four misdemeanors.  She then proceeded to call me a liar, and told me to get of of the hotel.  When I had arrived at the hotel, sixteen people were invited to orientation.  When I left, there were four remaining.

I was a bit angry.  Yeah, pretty angry.

I kept my cool, packed my bags, and got out of the hotel.  I came straight home, and kind of moped for four days.  On my way home I saw something that I took as a sign.

I saw three semi trucks of the same kind for a company called Carroll Fulmer Trucking.  They were all driving one behind each other.  I figured well, they must be a Florida company, or a company that drives into Florida.  So on Tuesday I gave them a call.

I put my application in, and then I gave them a call.  The good news was that they are a Florida company, drive in Florida, and hire Florida drivers.  Fast forward two days, and they said I was cleared, and I was signed up for orientation on Monday.  The other good news for me was that they drive really nice trucks, not some of the junky trucks I have seen other driver's behind the wheel of.

So on Monday, I will attend orientation for Carrol Fulmer Trucking in Groveland, Fl.  Luckily, it is only 66 miles from the house.  So when I return for home time, I will be able to park the truck in the terminal, and I won't have far to travel to return home. 

After the crap that went down with Con-Way I don't want to say that I am hired with Carrol Fulmer.  I do have to do the usual, 1.  Paperwork, 2.  Physical, 3.  Drug Test, 4.  Road Test, 5.  Backing Test,  6.  More paperwork, 7.  Learning how their system(s) work, and how to fill out their forms correctly.  If I do get hired, I will hit the road immediately.  Since the terminal is so close to the house, I am taking everything with me so I can load up the truck right then.

They mostly move freight in the Southeast, but I can be sent anywhere in the lower 48 states.  I've actually never run too much freight in the Southeast.  I've mostly run out West and back.  But for year round trucking, the South should be a nice place to run.

As I get internet connections I will keep everyone updated on my happenings.  I will make sure to take pictures of what I see.  I never know what I will run into.

Getting Hired Is Kind Of Like The Movie "Highlander"

"In the end there can be only one!"  If you've seen any of the Highlander movies or the TV show you know that's the catchphrase.  It is also very true of trying to be hired at Con-Way/ CFI.  Here's what's happened so far:

Funny, I don't feel Scotish. 

There were supposed to be 16 people in my class.  8 were told not to show up because they did not qualify.  That brings the new total to 8.  Somehow, only 6 made it to the hotel.  So then, on the first day of class we are told we are not hired yet.  No one has a contract.  Maybe only half of us will be hired.  We were flat out told that out of every 200 applications, Con-Way would hire 5 drivers. 

Truthfully, I was not feeling good about this.  Today, another driver got the axe due to a recent accident.  Now the class total is down to 5.  Now, I'm really not feeling good about this.  The instructor said he liked me, and that I was more intelligent than the usual dumb asses that come through there.  However, that doesn't guarantee anything.

Tomorrow is the driving and backing test.  It will be the first time I will drive a 13 speed semi truck.  Our instructor said that only one person has failed the driving (road) test in three years.  So I figure as long as I take it easy, and don't hit anyone I am safe.  I'm not too worried about the backing as I am usually pretty good at backing on a backing course.  Usually all the dimensions are the same, and it's like backing into the same dock every time. 

In the end I just want to be able to work for a good company.  I also want a big, red shiny Kenworth.