High-Seas to Highways

[danske]

Inside hieght is about 7', and the outside with the smoke stack is about 12' 1". The Condo is really nice. I know that I will get a flat top :sad: to start off with and eventually a Condo

You will be happy to get your own truck even if it is the oldest one in Davis's fleet. I remember in 1993 after being with a trainer for 4 weeks and teaming for another 6 months, I had to "stepdown" from a International 9700 COE w/ a 350hp(Yes, 350 horses) Detroit to a 9700 COE w/ a Cummins 320hp which did not have cruise control(You develop great speed management like that :shock: )! I was now captain of my own ship and it was a great feeling.

On the routing, our total (including 235 of DH) is 1999 miles. I'll be glad when I can get my own truck and start being paid by the mile.

Hey, your trainer is making good money off his deckhand! I have seen you post a couple times about your trainer looking for learning opportunities and no negative comments, so he must be doing a good job keeping you ship shape. You know people pay good money to workout at fitness centers for the exercise you are getting. Hey, you can laugh at me in a few months!

So when are you going to sign on with Davis? :wink:

Here is a rough plan of my schedule:

Aug 31 - Last day at old job
Sep 11 - Start refresher course at SAGE in CDA (2 weeks)
Oct 1 - Available for Orientation/Training

Pat has already sent me a prehire letter, so I am on board just as soon as I wrap up my affairs here(I will give notice at my old job in 3 or 4 weeks) and get thru school.

I thought about taking some time off before starting school. I have the money to do it. But, with October as my start date, I want to finish road training before the Holidays and winter. I remember going thru school in Green Bay in January 1993, and I don't want to repeat that experience.

Take care, Chief!

[devildice]

Here is a rough plan of my schedule:

Aug 31 - Last day at old job
Sep 11 - Start refresher course at SAGE in CDA (2 weeks)
Oct 1 - Available for Orientation/Training

Pat has already sent me a prehire letter, so I am on board just as soon as I wrap up my affairs here(I will give notice at my old job in 3 or 4 weeks) and get thru school.

I thought about taking some time off before starting school. I have the money to do it. But, with October as my start date, I want to finish road training before the Holidays and winter. I remember going thru school in Green Bay in January 1993, and I don't want to repeat that experience.

Take care, Chief!

Come October i should be a "seasoned vet" (just joking) so you can call on me if you need any advice :wink:

[devildice]

Day Eleven of OTR Training 07/22/07
Wyoming and Nebraska have to be 2 of the most boring states to drive across, or at least across I-80. We are shut down in York, NE at a Petro hooked up to IdleAire. Tomorrow we will stop in Iowa for a oil change and then it’s onward bound to Pella.

[danske]

Day Eleven of OTR Training 07/22/07
Wyoming and Nebraska have to be 2 of the most boring states to drive across, or at least across I-80. We are shut down in York, NE at a Petro hooked up to IdleAire. Tomorrow we will stop in Iowa for a oil change and then it’s onward bound to Pella.

DD,

Sorry, but if you are going to make it as an OTR driver you better get used to it. I believe I spent more time in WY/NE on I80 than I spent at home. I remember being out 3 weeks and driving across I80 3 or 4 times before going home. My old COE Cornbinder took a day and half to cover those states.

Did you know Wyoming is so boring that WYDOT has put up breachers on the side of the highway for their residents to watch the trucks from? If you don't believe or understand what I am talking about, next time you are there take a close look. Let me know when you figure it out!?!

You need to stop at Cabelas in Sidney, NE(I80 Exit 59) sometime. I doesn't matter if you like to fish or hunt, the place is a museum in itself! There is a discount department in the back and out front they serve GREAT baked beans.

Hey, tell me how unexciting Nebraska is when you have a tornado bearing down on you and your only refuge is to park your rig under the I80/I76 interchange. I did it and watched highway signs fly by. I knew I wasn't in Kansas anymore!!

That last time I was in Nebraska was July 2005. My Dad(He died April 2006) and I drove from Reno to Maine in his car. We were cruising along at 77MPH(!! ), listening to his Classical tapes, and I was pointing out every different type of truck(eg. Van, Refer, flatbed, tanker, even a double gooseneck lowboy with 10+ axles) we passed.

I guess my point is you have to find your own entertainment. Heck, you were in the Navy as in "Join the Navy and See the World". How much of the World can you see from the middle of the Pacific Ocean?!?

Anyhow, you have a computer there in your truck so you can share all this boredom with us! Take care.

[fireman932003]

Day Eleven of OTR Training 07/22/07
Wyoming and Nebraska have to be 2 of the most boring states to drive across, or at least across I-80. We are shut down in York, NE at a Petro hooked up to IdleAire. Tomorrow we will stop in Iowa for a oil change and then it’s onward bound to Pella.

I think Kansas has them beat!!!!!!

There is one state worse than those 2 however try I-20 and 10 across Texas. I was with Henderson and we had a driver get sick in El Paso Tx I was 2 miles away from getting out of that state after spending a day and a half in that state coming across 20 and 10 already get a message turn around and go back to the Petro and relay his load going to Winter Haven FL I screamed NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO knowing I had 900 miles of FREAKING TX ahead of me. I spent 3 full days in one state. racking up 1800 miles.

[devildice]

Day Twelve of OTR Training 07/23/07
Today was a very easy going day since we were only about 300 miles or so from our customer when we shut down last night. We were able to get into the shop for a scheduled oil change and got the truck & trailer washed.

After arriving at our customer, my trainer went over a few things with me in regards to how Davis does business and what not. After that we have been just relaxing by watching movies as we can not unload before midnight.

Dispatch told us to call in at 7:45am tomorrow as they are working on a load to get us down to Texas. My trainer is scheduled for some home time and since he lives just 300 miles north of me, I am going to rent a car and run home to see the family.

[devildice]

I guess my point is you have to find your own entertainment.

Yeah, I figured out that I could set the cruise, fasted a bungee to the steering wheel and the door handle and then go into the sleeper and watch a DVD

[terrylamar]

Day Twelve of OTR Training 07/23/07
Dispatch told us to call in at 7:45am tomorrow as they are working on a load to get us down to Texas.

Where in Texas?

[devildice]

Day Twelve of OTR Training 07/23/07
Dispatch told us to call in at 7:45am tomorrow as they are working on a load to get us down to Texas.

Where in Texas?

My trainer lives in Corsica and I live in San Antonio area. Not sure if the load the dispatcher is working on will deliver in Texas or take us through.

[terrylamar]

Day Twelve of OTR Training 07/23/07
Dispatch told us to call in at 7:45am tomorrow as they are working on a load to get us down to Texas.

Where in Texas?

My trainer lives in Corsica and I live in San Antonio area. Not sure if the load the dispatcher is working on will deliver in Texas or take us through.

Well, I think I remember you posting once or twice, I know where you are from.

[CardinalFan]

DevilDice,
I am really enjoying reading about your experiences. I am 40 and facing possible layoffs (For the second time, from a company that is sending our jobs overseas ) and am in the process of doing my homework on this industry. I love to travel and it is appealing to me. There is a Sage school 10 miles from where I live here in Idaho and I am looking at them. I was wondering if it is possible to tailor the class schedule around my working schedule as I am in no position just to quit and take classes and be without income for a month. I have a million questions and concerns, please keep posting it is really helping me out...Thanks

[danske]

DevilDice,
I am really enjoying reading about your experiences. I am 40 and facing possible layoffs (For the second time, from a company that is sending our jobs overseas ) and am in the process of doing my homework on this industry. I love to travel and it is appealing to me. There is a Sage school 10 miles from where I live here in Idaho and I am looking at them. I was wondering if it is possible to tailor the class schedule around my working schedule as I am in no position just to quit and take classes and be without income for a month. I have a million questions and concerns, please keep posting it is really helping me out...Thanks

CF,

"Goin Fer It" went to Sage in Couer d'Alene and, of course, DevilDice went to the one in San Antonio. My plan is to go to a refresher course(I have a CDL but no recent experience) in September at Sage in CDA.

You should give a call to the school in Caldwell and see what they offer. The Sage website is http://www.sageschools.com/

Beware, if your finances are so tight that you can't take a month off for the school, then the training wages and mileage pay for the 1st year or so can be really difficult to handle. Most OTR drivers and families have to learn to budget differently because your paycheck can vary wildly from week to week. Also, you have to consider the financing of truck school tuition even if a company offers reimbursement.

BOL

[danske]

I guess my point is you have to find your own entertainment.

Yeah, I figured out that I could set the cruise, fasted a bungee to the steering wheel and the door handle and then go into the sleeper and watch a DVD

Ahh... That is not what I had in mind! :shock:

[CardinalFan]

Thanks Danske,

I don't know if I am more worried about the income for a month or actually quitting the job and going to the school only to find out that this might not be for me. I have the budgeting thing down. That came about from when I was laid off due to a plant closure and took a 60% pay cut just to stay in the Boise area. Anyway, I was hoping to be able to go to the school while currently holding my present job. That might be tough though. Thanks for the reply.

[devildice]

DevilDice,
I am really enjoying reading about your experiences. I am 40 and facing possible layoffs (For the second time, from a company that is sending our jobs overseas ) and am in the process of doing my homework on this industry. I love to travel and it is appealing to me. There is a Sage school 10 miles from where I live here in Idaho and I am looking at them. I was wondering if it is possible to tailor the class schedule around my working schedule as I am in no position just to quit and take classes and be without income for a month. I have a million questions and concerns, please keep posting it is really helping me out...Thanks

I am glad that you are enjoying my post. Thanks for following along.

There are some schools that offer night and or weekend classes for people that are in your exact situation. I am not sure If Sage offers it or not. I know the one in San Antonio does not. BOL to you and make sure to keep us posted.

[danske]

My trainer lives in Corsica and I live in San Antonio area. Not sure if the load the dispatcher is working on will deliver in Texas or take us through.

Does your trainer live in Corsicana, TX? I looked up Corsica, TX but couldn't find it.

[danske]

DD,

Does your trainer's trailer have a side kit? Have you used it yet? I am curious has to how many pieces, weight and time it takes to put up. Thanks

[devildice]

My trainer lives in Corsica and I live in San Antonio area. Not sure if the load the dispatcher is working on will deliver in Texas or take us through.

Does your trainer live in Corsicana, TX? I looked up Corsica, TX but couldn't find it.

Yes, it's Corsicana.

[devildice]

DD,

Does your trainer's trailer have a side kit? Have you used it yet? I am curious has to how many pieces, weight and time it takes to put up. Thanks

Yes he has one. I believe all Davis trailers have them and although I have seen them up, I have no idea how many peices, weight, or time it takes. I imagine I'll find out soon enough. In fact, one of my "tests" when I get back to Missoula and before going solo will be to put one up.