Orientation with Werner. What I have done so far...

Still here

Yesterday was shorter day, we finished up at around 5pm. It was more videos, more computer training, signing up for benefits ($110.00/month for health and dental, $8.00/month extra for vision - I think a good price). A lot of talking with other drivers, sharing experiences and what not. We had pizza for lunch and it was pretty good. I got assigned an SDM (Student Driver Manager - same as Fleet Manager). She is supposed to call me and let me know when I get assigned a trainer, but I will call her in a little while to introduce myself.

They just told us now we will do pre-trips.

I will post again later today! I am glad that this thread is helping someone and thanks everyone for sharing what they know!

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Good morning peeps!

Today is the 4th day I am in the hotel in the Lakeland terminal. Killing some time before the meeting at 7am (it every day afyer the 2 days of orientation). It's basically a 5min meeting at which we are told if we have a trainer assigned yet. So afyer the meeting it is going to be waiting in the hotel. They mentioned yesterday that they could possibly ship us to Atlanta, GA - more chance for a trainer to pick us up there. So who knows, in the afyernoon I might be off for Atlanta. More news to come

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5th day. Still waiting to get a trainer assigned. 4 guys went to Atlanta this morning - should be quicker for them to get assigned a trainer. From my orientation group there is only me and no more than a couple more guys that are in the hotel here in Lakeland. So far so good. Patience. Not worried about anything. I met some great people here. I have the feeling that I am going to hear from my trainer today.

I am hoping to get a trainer who is doing 48 states and not the dollar store accounts. There is a Home Depot account which is drop and hook, unlike Dollar General and Family Dollar, where you load/unload. But, bottom line, I will do whatever it is for the training portion.

There is another thing - training on a dedicated account could be 6-8 weeks, because your trainer is off on weekends. If you do over the road training you can be done in 4 weeks. Every day I learn something new and it's great. Still can't talk bad about the company - pleasantly surprised so far.

Is there anyone doing the Tropicana dedicayed account out of Florida to California and back?

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So, yes, on a dedicated account you took about 7 weeks to complete training. It is a little more than if you got a trainer doing the 48 states.

I was told about the $500 and that you get it after delivering the first load. I guess it depends on the trainer. We will see how it goes. I will probably hear from my trainer today.

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Absolutely!

Headed for Atlanta in a van. Hope I won't have to wait for a trainer long. I will post with experiences from the hotel tonight. Everything's good so far!

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