IF YOU DON'T HAVE ALL OF THESE YOUR SCREWED!

You have a 45 MINUTE window to deliver a 80000lb load cross country
to a location you've never been,never seen,and never driven a 70ft
tractor trailer too.
!!!YOU CAN NOT BE LATE AND YOU CAN NOT BE EARLY!!!
The old days of showing up in the morning,
afternoon or sometime that day,
the day before or day after, are GONE.
Failure to do this is called a;--" SERVICE FAILURE"
-------three "SERVICE FAILURES"-----your history

PLAN TO PURCHASE THESE ITEMS
WELL IN ADVANCE OF EVEN GOING TO CDL SCHOOL. IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE MONEY
BEFORE GRADUATION YOU WILL BE PAID DURING YOUR 6 WEEK OVER THE ROAD TRAINING.
yOU NEED THESE:
1- A WIFI LAPTOP OR WEB NOTEBOOK
you can see where your destination is and what it looks like with
google maps. You will know what the neighborhood looks like and where
that turn corner is. Google satellite and camera street view are GREAT.

2- A G.P.S. SYSTEM FOR TRUCKS.
a GOOD GPS SYSTEM WITH COMMERCIAL VEHICLE OPTION WILL SAVE THE TOP OF
YOUR TRUCK UNDER THOSE EAST COAST LOW OVERPASSES. IT WILL ALSO TELL
YOU IF YOUR ASSIGNED ROUTE IS HAZMAT APPROVED
YOU CAN MONITOR YOUR GAS MILEAGE SPEED, DISTANCE TO HWY CONNECTIONS
AND IT WILL KEEP YOU COMPANY ON THOSE LON LONESOME RUNS

3- A GOOD PHONE SYSTEM WITH WEB ACCESS
DON'T EVER MAKE ANY PERSONAL COMMENTS THAT EXPRESS ATTITUDE OR
OPINION ON YOUR COMPANY COMMUNICATION SYSTEM. JUST THE FACTS
You need a phone when your pisses off at your driver-manager.
You need a phone to call home or call your pharmacy.
You need a phone to take care of personal business.
Don't ever trust your D.M.. He'd just as soon spit you out for breakfast.
You don't want a personal conversation recorded on the " qualcom" system.
When it comes time ti let you go that conversation will all of a sudden
POP RIGHT UP TO THE Surface. --And POW YOUR DM BLIND SIDES YOU WITH IT.

4- THE RAND MCNALLY COMMERCIAL MAP BOOK
lots of great information on every page. get it and get familiar
with stuff inside
5- NATIONAL TRUCK STOP DIRECTORY
nice to know whats up ahead and where you can spend the night. OR DAY!

6- SATELLITE RADIO SYSTEM
These tractors have great sound systems and satellite radio
is the only dependable entertainment while your driving
every type of music, categorized per era plus news, sports weather and drama

7- get yourself a really good CB AND CB AN TANA.
Running with the good old boys is worth the time and money spent.

Now you have all your toys. You should have no problem finding your way.
But the biggest obstical is the guy you have to spend 6 long weeks with.
( OR DO YOU ?)
WHAT ARE YOU LEARNING WHILE YOUR WITH THIS GUY.
IF YOU DON'T GET THE REALLY IMPORTANT STUFF,- YOUR SCREWED.
YOU MAY BE SCREWED ALREADY .-BUT JUST DON'T KNOW IT.
FOR THOSE OF USE WHO JUST DIDN'T KNOW IT OR DON'T WANT TO BELIEVE
THE INDUSTRIES' NASTY LITTLE SECRET,-- STAY TUNED.

HARDWARE YOU ABSOLUTLY NEED TODAY!

IF YOU DON'T TAKE THIS LIST OF ITEMS
SERIOUSLY YOU MAY FIND YOURSELF:
1-WITHOUT A TRACTOR,E
2-ESCORTED TO THE DOOR
3-WAITING FOR A BUS OR RIDE HOME
4-WITHOUT A HOME VERY SOON
5-BLACKBALLED FROM THE INDUSTRY
6-SOON TO BE ON MEDICATION

WHO'S THAT PERSON IN THE CAB WITH YOU?

As you report to your first day of orientation BE PREPARED for another drug test,- And yes- possibly "THE BOOT".
You have a valid DOT MEDICAL CARD,--
But you will be taken to a clinic to get a new one.
Orientation is kind of like the first week of COL school.
You fill out company forms,and sign for stuff you need
You prepare for six weeks of "ON-THE-JOB TRAINING".
Prior to orientation you probably will have in your possession a list of items
At the top of most company lists are,---"EARLUGS". (GET 3 OR 4 SETS)
Earplugs are not found at truck-stops anymore.
(If not for sleep purposes,-you may need earplugs to block the moron next to you)

WHAT ARE YOUR TRAINERS QUALIFICATIONS?

1-- IT is vital to your survival that you understand something
about the DRIVER? you are assigned to,--or going to be assigned.
2-- These individuals may not appear as stable as you expected.
3-- NOR are these drivers trained to any standard of legitimate
certifiable program. (they may just be cer-ti-fi-able)
4-- THIS MEANS,-YOUR TRAINER IS NOT QUALIFIED UNDER ANY STATE
OR FEDERAL EDUCATIONAL CERTIFICATION PROGRAM.
(not for trucking, not for basket weaving, NOTHING)
5-- He or she is not licenced to teach trucking.
6-- He or she has had no formal training in techniques of instruction.
7-- He or she is a volunteer! A driver of 3 months or more experiance.
Now that you understand you will be spending the next six weeks
with a TOTAL FREAKING MORON we can continue.