Week One at MTC Training.

by Rusty Martin Jr
(Sugar Grove, Pa)

Howdy everyone. It's Rusty again, writing this time from sunny(not today though...LOL) St.Louis Missouri. I have been here at MTC's training facility for a whole week now and I've got to say I'm doin pretty good.

Within the past week I have been in the classroom, passed my permit test(first try, high scores), drove on the road and worked in the maneuver yard. It was definitely a little intimidating at first for sure, but I am getting the hand of it.

The first time I actually hit the road, I was driving a Late Model Freightliner with a 53' Dry Van. I was just kinda driving around when my instructor tells me to go the third red light and make a right at the 370.

When he said that, I said to myself, "I hope this guy isn't sending me where I think he's sending me!" and sure enough I made that right and he says...CRANK IT UP DRIVER, JAM THEM GEARS AND GET HER TA 55. This guy actually put me on the interstate at 4pm on a Sunday afternoon. HMMM...smart??? I guess I did ok though, he kept telling me I did fine and that I only gave him a couple of extra grey hairs.LOL.

IDK it really is a totally different kinda feeling. What I found weird, was that when you look at a semi from the ground, you think, man how can I drive this thing, but when you get behind the wheel and actually get going, you don't even really realize your pulling 53' unless you look in your mirror. That is what I found to be really weird.

I found out where I am having a little trouble and it's probably one of the easiest freakin backing maneuvers there is, but I am having a little trouble nailing the offside alley dock. I'll figure it out though. No sweat. LOL. All together my thoughts on this school are pretty good. The instructors are knowledgeable and they are willing to help you with whatever you need help with.


Although there is one guy who seems as though he is really impatient when it comes to us newbies. There was one guy who was taking quite a bit of time on the blindside parallel(his first time of course) and this instructor kept standing there shaking his head like he expected him to just slide it in there with no problem.

This guy even got on me a little bit today when I was having problems with that offside alley dock. I was thinking in my head, "Ok, why is this guy even an instructor when he doesn't have the patience to help new drivers.

If he wants to instruct, let him instruct the ones who are about ready to graduate or the more experienced ones. Why put him with drivers who have no experience at all?

Oh well, every place has to have it's bad apples I guess. Anyway, so far I am really having a blast and also learning alot in the mean time and I can't wait for my graduation date of the 24th.

Hopefully by then one of the two companies that I was eligible for hire with will call me and be willing to give me a chance.

Anyone got any input on either Covenant or Trans Am? I have heard Covenant is a really good company to work for, but I really haven't heard too much as far as input on Trans Am. Any input on either of those two would really help me out in my decision making.

Thanks again for all your continued support, and I look forward to seeing some of you later on the the road. Take care and be safe out there. -Rusty-