High-Seas to Highways

[devildice]

Day Thirteen of OTR Training 07/24/07
After a few hours of waiting, we finally got assigned a load going from Chicago to Dallas-Fort Worth area. I got the pleasure of driving through rush hour traffic on I-55 in Chicago. I have driven through it before in my p/u, but it was a completely different experience in a “big rig”.

We are shut down just outside our customer as we have an 8am pick-up. This load is scheduled to be delivered on Friday and then my trainer is heading home. Although he has offered to let me stay at his house, I will instead take advantage of the opportunity and rent a car to head home myself.

[CardinalFan]

I went by Sage Truck School in Caldwell, Idaho today. Just drove by as they were closed. It wasn't much to look at. A small bldg for classroom and a big gravel lot with a bunch of cones and some old equipment. I guess they have to keep their costs down too. I sent them an email two days ago and they still have not replied. Devildice, How did you go about researching companies? Did you send off emails to companies in hopes that they would contact you or did you call recruiters directly? Am I too soon to start looking at companies? There is a Company called May Trucking Company that has a terimnal close to where I live. Anyone know much about them?

[K.POP]

OO North dallas...Thats where I am at, may be you will see me...ahah. I am in the carrollton area if thats where your headed., but know dallas real good.

[Goin Fer It]

Hey Devildice,

Hubby was just in Chicago the other day! If you get a chance to see the Walcott Iowa truck stop I hear it is quite a sight!

Enjoy your time off!

Goin Fer It's Wife

[danske]

I went by Sage Truck School in Caldwell, Idaho today. Just drove by as they were closed. It wasn't much to look at. A small bldg for classroom and a big gravel lot with a bunch of cones and some old equipment. I guess they have to keep their costs down too. I sent them an email two days ago and they still have not replied. Devildice, How did you go about researching companies? Did you send off emails to companies in hopes that they would contact you or did you call recruiters directly? Am I too soon to start looking at companies? There is a Company called May Trucking Company that has a terimnal close to where I live. Anyone know much about them?

CF,

"Goin Fer It" had a journal when he was at MTC. He now works for Davis Transport, but the link to the journal is http://www.classadrivers.com/phpBB2/...ic.php?t=18912

IMO, you should fill out applications, email companies, and call recruiters. Cover all your bases and find out what companies are interested in you and vis versa. Calling recruiters is not going to hurt you getting a job; It can only help(eg. Are you qualified/not qualified, What schools and courses would they recommend, etc.). Beware that recruiters often only tell you the good side of their company and the industry, but their job is to find qualified candidates for their company. Use them as a resource because that is what they are there for.

If the Sage office is closed in Caldwell, then contact the one in Couer d'Alene. The director there is Will Hill. I talked to him and he is great guy. I am going to school in CDA in September. He can tell what's about the Sage school in Caldwell.

BOL.

[devildice]

Devildice, How did you go about researching companies? Did you send off emails to companies in hopes that they would contact you or did you call recruiters directly?

I called recruiters, read threads on various forums, and the best info came from current drivers of companies I was interested in.

Am I too soon to start looking at companies?

Simple awnser is NO it's never too early. I can tell you that when I 1st started my research, CRE was at the top of my list. I thought for sure I was going to sign on with them. As I conducted my research, they quickly moved down the list until they fell off it completely!! If you have the time, research them (a company) thouroghly. Make a list of YOUR priorities and see how a particular company fits into it. When you think you've narrowed your list down, do some more research.

As many have said before, there is no such thing as a "perfect" company. You have to figure out what or who will meet YOUR needs the best. For me, Davis is does not have the highest starting pay, but they make up for it in many other ways.....one being that they are truely a driver friendly company. They practice what they preach in regards to them knowing that their drivers are the backbone of the company and they do everything possible to keep us happy.

keep us posted on what you find out. I know I am still as green as the grass, but if there is anything I can do to help, please lket me know.

[devildice]

Hey Devildice,

If you get a chance to see the Walcott Iowa truck stop I hear it is quite a sight!

Enjoy your time off!

Goin Fer It's Wife

We stopped there for fuel yesterday and I got a quick glance at it. All I can say is WOW :shock: . One of these days if all the stars align just right, I will stop there over night and check it out.

[CardinalFan]

I finally heard back from Sage Trucking School in Caldwell Idaho. I have an appointment to talk to the Director on Monday. Sounds like they can be flexible and and let me continue my present job and go to school at the same time. So I will probably start school in a month or so. Now I need to buckle down and start doing alot of research on different companies. I would like to get one that has a terminal close to where I live. (Boise Idaho). Anyone know of how many different companies run terminals form out here?

[devildice]

I finally heard back from Sage Trucking School in Caldwell Idaho. I have an appointment to talk to the Director on Monday. Sounds like they can be flexible and and let me continue my present job and go to school at the same time. So I will probably start school in a month or so. Now I need to buckle down and start doing alot of research on different companies. I would like to get one that has a terminal close to where I live. (Boise Idaho). Anyone know of how many different companies run terminals form out here?

Glad to hear things might work out the way you want. You know Davis's main terminal is just down the road in Missoula :wink:

[devildice]

Day Fourteen of OTR Training 07/25/07
Since we shut down right outside our shipper last night, we got to sleep in a little. Our pick up appointment was at 8am and by 8:20am they called us in the warehouse. We have a little over 42,000lbs on deck and it was rather easy to strap and tarp (at least it is with 2 people).

By 9:30am we were on the road and just missed the heaviest of the Chicago morning rush hour traffic. We made it all the way to Mount Vernon, MO and shut down for the night. Technically, we are ahead of schedule as we only have about 400 miles to go and the load is not due until Friday. This is all because Davis plans their deliveries at 500 miles per day increments and the day you load does not count (hope that makes sense). We will get to our customer sometime tomorrow afternoon and cross our fingers that they will unload us early. If not, it’s no big deal as we will unload as scheduled on Friday.

Once we unload, we will head to my trainers house which is only about 75 miles away and depending on when we get there, I will be renting a car and heading home to San Antonio. Although this is not the norm, it’s kind of nice to break up my training by going home for a couple of days.

[broncrider1]

wow...sounds like life is treating you pretty good

i didnt know any davis company drivers had spreads....see i learned something new...lol...they are a differnt animal when backing up....mine still throws me off every now and again

glad yer enjoying it....even gladder ( is that even a word?) yet that you are still doing this thread....now just wait till you hafta put up that side kit, better yet dragging all that wieght around just to use it once or twice a year, and no i dont have one....i learned when i drove a green truck

p.s. what did ya think of that huge truckstop in pella right by the factory?

[devildice]

wow...sounds like life is treating you pretty good

Yeah, so far so good (knock on wood)

i didnt know any davis company drivers had spreads....see i learned something new...lol...they are a differnt animal when backing up....mine still throws me off every now and again

My trainer said he had one of two spreads that company drivers have. Sad thing about that spread axle is that just as I get used to it, I will be assigned a spring ride tandem

glad yer enjoying it....even gladder ( is that even a word?) yet that you are still doing this thread....now just wait till you hafta put up that side kit, better yet dragging all that wieght around just to use it once or twice a year, and no i dont have one....i learned when i drove a green truck

Haven't had the pleasure to use the side kit yet or haul coils. But I am sure my time is coming :wink:

p.s. what did ya think of that huge truckstop in pella right by the factory?

Was that even a truck stop in Pella?

[devildice]

Day Fifteen of OTR Training 07/26/07
We were up at our usual 3am time frame and on the road by 4am. A short 400 mile or so run down to Euless, TX and we were at our customer and were able to unload (a day early too). Another short run south east found us at my trainer’s home in Corsicana, TX.

After a short visit there with him and his wife, I rented a car and headed further south to my home in the San Antonio, TX area. This is not the norm during training, but my trainer had a doctor’s appointment and since he lives close to me, I decided to take advantage of the break and run home for a couple of days. I will be here at home until Monday and then I’ll head back to Corsicana as we are hoping to have a load assignment for Tuesday.

For the past couple of weeks, we have seen just a couple of pockets of rain here and there. Well as soon as we got to Corsicana (and almost all the way to San Antonio) it rained. And if you know Texas rain, you know it really RAINS here!!!!

One of the first comments my wife made to me after arriving home was that I had lost weight. I think she is nuts, but after jumping on the scale, she was right, I lost 5lbs!

[danske]

Day Fifteen of OTR Training 07/26/07
We were up at our usual 3am time frame and on the road by 4am. A short 400 mile or so run down to Euless, TX and we were at our customer and were able to unload (a day early too). Another short run south east found us at my trainer’s home in Corsicana, TX.

After a short visit there with him and his wife, I rented a car and headed further south to my home in the San Antonio, TX area. This is not the norm during training, but my trainer had a doctor’s appointment and since he lives close to me, I decided to take advantage of the break and run home for a couple of days. I will be here at home until Monday and then I’ll head back to Corsicana as we are hoping to have a load assignment for Tuesday.

For the past couple of weeks, we have seen just a couple of pockets of rain here and there. Well as soon as we got to Corsicana (and almost all the way to San Antonio) it rained. And if you know Texas rain, you know it really RAINS here!!!!

One of the first comments my wife made to me after arriving home was that I had lost weight. I think she is nuts, but after jumping on the scale, she was right, I lost 5lbs!

DD,

So in 15 days since you left Missoula to start your OTR training, you and your trainer put down over 8200 miles(I have mapped your progress on Google Maps)! Do you know how much of this you drove(eg. 70%)?

After all that driving in the big rig, how did it feel to get back in a small car? I remember it being a strange sensation! :shock:

Enjoy your TAH! Hopefully, your wife doesn't have too many chores for you to do or wear you out!! :P

[devildice]

DD,

So in 15 days since you left Missoula to start your OTR training, you and your trainer put down over 8200 miles(I have mapped your progress on Google Maps)! Do you know how much of this you drove(eg. 70%)?

I would have to go back and figure it up, but I would guess at least 50% easy.

After all that driving in the big rig, how did it feel to get back in a small car? I remember it being a strange sensation! :shock:

funny you should ask......it was VERY strange. I swear that I was going to scrape my butt on the black-top rolling down the road It was also strange not being able to see far ahead like it is when riding high up in the truck. But, i did enjoy having all that power available when I needed it :wink:

Enjoy your TAH! Hopefully, your wife doesn't have too many chores for you to do or wear you out!! :P

Yeah well I hoped that too, however, I have a honey-do list a mile long. I may have to get back on the road just to get some rest

[devildice]

Day 16, 17, & 18 of OTR Training 07/27, 28, & 29/07
At home for a little “R & R”

[Goin Fer It]

Day Sixteen of OTR Training 07/27/07
At home for a little “R & R”

Boy are you fortunate to get a break from the bunk So devildice let me ask you this how is this job and the trucking industry stacking up to what you thought it would be? I know you really did your research before you began in the industry.

What are the good things and the things you do not care for regarding trucking so far?

Enjoy your time with the Mrs

Goin Fer It's Wife

[devildice]

Boy are you fortunate to get a break from the bunk

Yes I was VERY fortunate to get a break like this in the middle of training. :P

So devildice let me ask you this how is this job and the trucking industry stacking up to what you thought it would be? I know you really did your research before you began in the industry.

What are the good things and the things you do not care for regarding trucking so far?

Enjoy your time with the Mrs

Goin Fer It's Wife

You know, so far it has been everything I have expected. I hate to say this (may jinx myself :? ) but it is almost a little easier than I anticipated.

The only things I do not care for at the moment are 1) having to live in that small box with another person. Few more weeks of it and I'll be on my own. 2) some of these dirty & nasty truck stops. Although I have found that the TA's (most, not all) are more clean and "friendly" than some of the others. Flying J's have got to be the worst so far.

[broncrider1]

i perfer petro's...the t/a's in wyoming suck hind end

a few weeks and youll be out on yer own....just remember to leave your cb on ( if you need one i got one i will give you....it even works....lol) i passed 3 company trucks and none would/could answer me on the radio....sorry...one of my pet peeves

after you get yer truck we'll hafta hook up....ill buy supper...as long as its not in california...lol

have fun and enjoy the green truck...

btw...what did ya think of guy? quite the charecter i think

[devildice]

i perfer petro's...the t/a's in wyoming suck hind end

a few weeks and youll be out on yer own....just remember to leave your cb on ( if you need one i got one i will give you....it even works....lol) i passed 3 company trucks and none would/could answer me on the radio....sorry...one of my pet peeves

after you get yer truck we'll hafta hook up....ill buy supper...as long as its not in california...lol

Deal!!! :P

btw...what did ya think of guy? quite the charecter i think

um....no comment :wink:


BTW.....send me the link to your thread, as you know I was banned from that site and can not even view post. But maybe if I have a direct link I can click on, I might be able to read your posts.