First night

Spent my first night at the truck stop last night. I think spending a night in a motel would be cheaper. I use a cpap for sleeping,  as such I have to idle the truck to keep from killing the battery.  I went from a half tank to a quarter tank of fuel in 7 hours of idling. This probably wouldn't be too bad were I getting load opportunity calls, but I haven't yet.
I spent most of my day at the qualcomm installer location getting a problem fixed. So by the time I was able to login as available, it was Well after 5pm. So, we will see how today goes. 

Orientation complete

Just finished up orientation, waiting on a check and repair on my Qualcomm unit, then I will be able to login for the first time and get my first load. I am kinda anxious to finally get started and see how this goes. The support from FedEx is simply amazing here. When they say they will answer any questions I have, they really pulled through.

Aside from waiting, I will have to figure out logging in and being available. Being in a cargo van I don't have to worry about hours of service logging or violations. I only have to log if I have placards on the van and there are certain amounts that can be transported without placards. I also have to organize my van a bit more so it looks presentable. Once I have a home trip, I can drop off a few bags and swap out to a ruck sack or something. So many little questions, but I am certain to find the answers as I go along.

Just for giggles, here I am in my new FedEx apparel.

Almost there

Today was the last full day of orientation

Got together all my permits and registrations for my vehicle and organized my paperwork that I will be working with. I think I may have over did it a bit. I was told that it might be a good idea to swipe anything free for the truck. The two major things that I would need are Bill of Ladings and TripPak envelope to send in the paperwork for each delivery. So, I think I have WAY more than I actually need, but I won't be wanting for these items for a LONG while.

Tomorrow will be a half day of orientation, getting the Qualcomm link setup and *fixed*. Once that is done, I login and wait for my first load opportunity. I am kinda of excited and anxious, all the while I sit here thinking about it, my levels of mixed emotions rise and fall. I am tired and I should go to bed. I have an early day in the morning.

All the while I sit here, my thoughts wander and wonder what is in store for me. Everyone has high hopes for me, including myself. The need and desire to do well is strong.So tomorrow will show what will happen through all this planning and hoping.

Orientation day 1 done..

I got up early today to head out to training, which turned out to be a good thing. The drive was 2 hours long and pretty straight forward. Once I got there, the 45 minutes to an hour i could have spent sleeping or slacking was actually spent filling out a ton of paperwork.

The day went by with getting pictures taken for badges and going over all the basics for the job. There was a lot to cover and get organized.

I would write more, but I am exhausted..

Will talk more about it tomorrow i suppose..  *yawn*

Every day is another step

Confirmed that I will be doing my orientation on July 9. My birthday. I guess that's my present this year. I have to get to Columbia, SC the previous Friday to catch a ride with my new Boss back to Virginia. From there I get the keys to the van and head out towards Ohio for orientation on the following Monday.

Got my new bank account all set up for payroll and now its just a matter of tying up loose ends here in Florida before I go. Gave my two week notice and there will be a birthday/going away party of some sort being planned for next Saturday.

Its gonna be a rough 2 weeks.

Orientation dates are in, help needed.

I was notified as to what my option for orientation date are. Which means I officially have a new driving job. I am shooting for July 11th as my orientation date. So I now have a timeline in which to put in my notice at work and get organized to do this trip.

Here is the thing though. All my "work" money has to go to the move that is happening at the house in the end of July. Which means, I gotta raise up some extra money on the side to take care of a motel room for the 3 days of orientation and food. I have no idea what motel prices are at the moment and I will be looking closer into that, plus I have AAA for motel discounts. I am not above hitting a motel 6 or something either. I am simply stressed about getting there and getting started. Since my birthday is coming up I could use cash presents which will go toward lodging and food for my orientation days. Once I get my first load, I can pull 40% of that for the gas and living foodstuffs I will need for driving.

Living paycheck to paycheck is rough, especially when the majority of a paycheck is slated for other things like cost of living for your family in a separate house and future moving savings. I get by, but this upcoming change is going to put a strain on things. I am excited and nervous about the whole change, I want this to go better than a year ago. I have high hopes that it will and that I will be very successful. I also look forward to writing about my days on the road here to share with all of you that take the time to read it. I know that there is a heavy interest in this job path I am continuing as the statistical number of viewers explodes every time I come back to add some new update.

For this, I thank each and every one of you. For with your interest, I look at it as support. You validate to me in ways that I cannot even fully comprehend that I am on the correct path for the time being. It is a very powerful validation for me, thank you.

If you are interested in throwing me a buck to help with my orientation expenses, I have a donation link:  Obie's Birthday / Donation Link

If you don't want to or cannot, that's cool too. I appreciate you coming here to check up on me from time to time as well. I just want to give the opportunity for everyone just in case. There is no obligation or requirement, just wanted to put that out there now.

So, now I take things day by day and see where they go. I have a bunch of stuff to do and a good amount of time to do it in. I just hope that my head doesn't explode in the process.

Driver packet received

Now I know why it takes a week to process. This thing has me filling out a ton of information, some of which I have already submitted..

Oh well, time to start filling out the longest application in my life.

DMV Background cleared

Got the word Friday night that my DMV background was cleared by FedEx.  Yes, I will be a FedEx driver, kinda. I am working for an independent company that sub-contracts to FedEx for Critical deliveries. Not sure of the specifics, but I am going to find out as they are now overnight sending me a Drivers Packet.

Soon I will know when my start date is for training/orientation and then I will get my first load to deliver.