Done done- Off on the yellow brick road with CDL in our hand

[rjallen]

Finally its over or I might say about to really begin

Wife and I finally finished today and we start home [about 500 miles] tomorrow. I wanted to thank everyone who offered help and encouragement during the last couple of months.

Been offered orientation with a couple of companies and believe we are off to US Xpress. We really had a problem finding a good company that would hire from our area- Northwest Montana.

Our training, we believe, was top rate. Really supportive folks at the Sage in Billings Montana. Even towed doubles during the course. Had over 50 hours alone with instructor in the truck. This greatly benefited my wife.

We'll update soon. Please wish us luck

Rick

:P :P :P :P

[LilBit]

Wishing you both the best in your new chapter over there

[AlexJ81]

I would think long and hard about going to US Xpress as my first company. Mainly because their auto shifts could cause you a problem finding another company in the future.

[GTR SILVER]

I would think long and hard about going to US Xpress as my first company. Mainly because their auto shifts could cause you a problem finding another company in the future.

good advice........... :wink:

[rjallen]

I would think long and hard about going to US Xpress as my first company. Mainly because their auto shifts could cause you a problem finding another company in the future.

USX does have auto shifts. They also have cutting edge technology. This is not the recruiter talking- he hasn't even mentioned it. I imagine my wife and I will be less tired and more alert after 9-10 hours of driving with auto-shift and USX's safety set.

We learned how to double clutch- we did it all. Our license's are not restricted. It MIGHT cause another carrier pause in the future but we can go back to any Sage School and do a refresher if necessary for very little cost. I also have a sneaking suspicion auto shifts will become far more common in the next 4-5 years,



Remember, our options were limited by geography and experience.

Rick

PS Two major trucking companies told me auto-shift experience would be no problem as long as our CDL's were not restricted and we passed the standardized road test. Both companies stated we would get the same starting pay as with any other company with same experience.

[LostProphet]

I would think long and hard about going to US Xpress as my first company. Mainly because their auto shifts could cause you a problem finding another company in the future.

USX does have auto shifts. They also have cutting edge technology. This is not the recruiter talking- he hasn't even mentioned it. I imagine my wife and I will be less tired and more alert after 9-10 hours of driving with auto-shift and USX's safety set.

We learned how to double clutch- we did it all. Our license's are not restricted. It MIGHT cause another carrier pause in the future but we can go back to any Sage School and do a refresher if necessary for very little cost. I also have a sneaking suspicion auto shifts will become far more common in the next 4-5 years,



Remember, our options were limited by geography and experience.

Rick

PS Two major trucking companies told me auto-shift experience would be no problem as long as our CDL's were not restricted and we passed the standardized road test. Both companies stated we would get the same starting pay as with any other company with same experience.

Not too crush your bubble or anything,but you didnt "do it all" in your trucking school.If you do hit the road,especially this time of year,you will soon surely find that portion out.and I think the previous poster meant it would be hard for you to get a job after us xpress because after leaving them you would of not gained any additional gear shifting skill let alone maintained them.I was also curious,what "cutting edge" technology does us xpress have that you speak of? Anyway,congrats on your CDL and BOL.p.s interstate distributor co is also based out of the north west.

[rjallen]

Not too crush your bubble or anything,but you didnt "do it all" in your trucking school.If you do hit the road,especially this time of year,you will soon surely find that portion out.and I think the previous poster meant it would be hard for you to get a job after us xpress because after leaving them you would of not gained any additional gear shifting skill let alone maintained them.I was also curious,what "cutting edge" technology does us xpress have that you speak of? Anyway,congrats on your CDL and BOL.p.s interstate distributor co is also based out of the north west.[/quote]

Interstate was our first initial choice. Their trucks are all over the I-90 corridor. They will not hire from NW Montana. I've called twice.

USX has VORAD- a self adjusting cruise control that "sees" traffic ahead and adjusts speed. All their trucks have a right side camera with a screen visible to the driver. Good for backing and takes away most of the blind spot. Trucks have a stability control vehicle that reduces trailer jack knife possibility and enhances braking, especially in poor conditions. I am very familiar with these systems and know they have limitations. I also know they work. I also like the fact USX is willing to put more than lip service behind safety.

I understand we do not know everything about truck driving. I think I indicated we were just really starting on our journey. What I meant when I said "we did it all" was we took a very extensive full driver training course- all on manual shift trucks. Our licenses are not restricted. Auto shifte trucks were a concern and I researched it as far a I could and think I have made a good decision- time will tell.

I do know- from talking with team drivers from USX- we will make a good income.

Thanks for the good wishes



Rick

[kc0iv]

Not too crush your bubble or anything,but you didnt "do it all" in your trucking school.If you do hit the road,especially this time of year,you will soon surely find that portion out.and I think the previous poster meant it would be hard for you to get a job after us xpress because after leaving them you would of not gained any additional gear shifting skill let alone maintained them.I was also curious,what "cutting edge" technology does us xpress have that you speak of? Anyway,congrats on your CDL and BOL.p.s interstate distributor co is also based out of the north west.

Interstate was our first initial choice. Their trucks are all over the I-90 corridor. They will not hire from NW Montana. I've called twice.

USX has VORAD- a self adjusting cruise control that "sees" traffic ahead and adjusts speed. All their trucks have a right side camera with a screen visible to the driver. Good for backing and takes away most of the blind spot. Trucks have a stability control vehicle that reduces trailer jack knife possibility and enhances braking, especially in poor conditions. I am very familiar with these systems and know they have limitations. I also know they work. I also like the fact USX is willing to put more than lip service behind safety.

I understand we do not know everything about truck driving. I think I indicated we were just really starting on our journey. What I meant when I said "we did it all" was we took a very extensive full driver training course- all on manual shift trucks. Our licenses are not restricted. Auto shifte trucks were a concern and I researched it as far a I could and think I have made a good decision- time will tell.

I do know- from talking with team drivers from USX- we will make a good income.

Thanks for the good wishes



Rick

Back when I talked to USX several years ago you could switch off the auto-shift. I know the one I drove you could. I ended up not going with them for other reasons. But from what I saw the had first rate equipment.

kc0iv

[stanman63]

you will learn to hate the vorad as well the wind and a number of other factors well have you not using your cruise at all and that will get old driving for 11 plus hours without cruise its that the senser picks up alot more than just a 4wheeler but wind is the biggest factor they suk

[Darin Younce]

I listened to a us express recruiter just yesterday in Madisonville KY ( for the 2nd time) and he said they are not using the Vorad although the display he set up said otherwise. Just curious if you got your info from a display, poster or internet since you said the recruiter never even mentioned it. Perhaps this is for the Eastern division out of Chattanooga Tn , could be different out west. Seemed like a good company though and I am thinking of trying to get on with them since I was prehired already.

[AlexJ81]

I did hear a rumor several months ago that USX was doing away with Vorad

[AlexJ81]

Not too crush your bubble or anything,but you didnt "do it all" in your trucking school.If you do hit the road,especially this time of year,you will soon surely find that portion out.and I think the previous poster meant it would be hard for you to get a job after us xpress because after leaving them you would of not gained any additional gear shifting skill let alone maintained them.I was also curious,what "cutting edge" technology does us xpress have that you speak of? Anyway,congrats on your CDL and BOL.p.s interstate distributor co is also based out of the north west.

Interstate was our first initial choice. Their trucks are all over the I-90 corridor. They will not hire from NW Montana. I've called twice.

USX has VORAD- a self adjusting cruise control that "sees" traffic ahead and adjusts speed. All their trucks have a right side camera with a screen visible to the driver. Good for backing and takes away most of the blind spot. Trucks have a stability control vehicle that reduces trailer jack knife possibility and enhances braking, especially in poor conditions. I am very familiar with these systems and know they have limitations. I also know they work. I also like the fact USX is willing to put more than lip service behind safety.

I understand we do not know everything about truck driving. I think I indicated we were just really starting on our journey. What I meant when I said "we did it all" was we took a very extensive full driver training course- all on manual shift trucks. Our licenses are not restricted. Auto shifte trucks were a concern and I researched it as far a I could and think I have made a good decision- time will tell.

I do know- from talking with team drivers from USX- we will make a good income.

Thanks for the good wishes



Rick[/quote]


Oh and something about that right camera....what they probably didn't tell is they remove the fender mirror. the screen is worthless once the sun goes down as you can't see anything.

[Colts Fan]

Hey rj, good luck to you and the wifey. I have been training with Baylor for the last 2 weeks and things are going great. Hope to see you out there!

[Redd202]

Watkins Shepard is hiring in Montana. They have terminals in Billings, Helena, and Missoula. I've looked into them and have heard good things. Plus, 10 day orientation and you're out on the road - no time with a trainer. If you haven't looked into them and aren't 100% committed to USX, do a search for them here - they've been covered in several topics.

http://www.wksh.com

[rjallen]

I got the information about VORAD from USX's website and literature. I did not ask anyone as I took the information at face value.

I'm very familiar with such systems on 4 wheelers- high end cars. The system is not without flaws as others have said- Snow, freezing fog can cause false signals. I've used the system personally in 4 wheelers and like it. Other users [4-wheelers] have given it good reports once you know its limitation. Don't know if USX has stopped installing it. Will talk to my recruiter and advise.

As to losing a right side mirror. I looked at 4 USX trucks on the way home and all had both right side mirrors. I hope I don't lose the convex

Anyway, I did not intend this thread to become a USX pro and con. Only time will tell... and ALL companies have their good and bad points.


Our orientation is set for the Monday after Thanksgiving. Could have started a week earlier but we thought we might wind up sittiing in a motel room Thankgiving weekend waiting for a trainer.

We will be going to Lincoln, Nebraska.

Any USX folks??? How are the Lincoln facilities?

I will let everyone know how things progress.

Rick

[Darin Younce]

Hey , good luck with USX . I went on a interview Friday with a local company and if I dont get that job ,USX was my next choice . One bit of advise , if possible call and talk to different recruiters . I talked to two different ones and got two different stories concerning hometime and
training time. Not a big difference. The same thing happened with maverick and when I actually got to Maverick for orientation I learned none of the recruiters were right on several things. The pay at Usx seems good for a noob and although I feel like to be a truck driver you need to be shiftin the Auto is dang nice. I drove one at maverick and I could get used to that pretty fast. I believe it takes awayone of many elements you
need to be in control of thus possibly making your driving experience a bit safer , Just my noob opinion .

[Brad M]

rjallen,

I wish you and your wife the best with US Express. I see that if they hire you after orientation that you drive for 150 hours with a trainer. Do you and your wife train together or are you with separate trainers.

I am kind of surprised that you both didn't go with Watkins/Shepard in your own state of Montana. Their training for school graduates is only 10 days and they have had very good comments from different web sites I have searched.

Give it some thought and which company you go with, have success and drive safely.

Brad

[rjallen]

rjallen,

I wish you and your wife the best with US Express. I see that if they hire you after orientation that you drive for 150 hours with a trainer. Do you and your wife train together or are you with separate trainers.

I am kind of surprised that you both didn't go with Watkins/Shepard in your own state of Montana. Their training for school graduates is only 10 days and they have had very good comments from different web sites I have searched.

Give it some thought and which company you go with, have success and drive safely.

Brad

Watkins & Shepard does have a good rep. Called them first thing- yes, you are on the road after 10 days of training BUT, for the first 3 months, you are on probation- you cannot take a pet with you and we have a dog and no one to care for him.

Secondly, W&S starts out a solo or team at 28 cpm per truck. Compare that to starting pay after 4 weeks training at USX of 40 cpm to start is you have hazmat 42 cpm. You get far more drop & hook with USX and a team should average around 5000 miles per week.

I've talked with several teams with USX and they are happy and seem to be getting the mileage. Its a shame as W&S has a terminal 110 miles from our home- Missoula.


Rick