My KLLM company driving experience so far...

Back in the shop since Monday. Exhaust filter was causing engine errors and was choking the power of the engine. Sitting in a hotel in Crashville until its ready. New dispatcher has been hooking meet up with some awesome loads and good miles. Kept me real busy before my truck crapped out.

Starting to look at the lease option and posssibly tyson.

Also, anyone know where we can view paystubs other than the qualcomm? Should have a good paycheck and I'm nowhere near my truck to see the details.

 

Hey Volts, I too graduated from Coastal in Hammond. I had Frank as my instructor - tell him "Creampuff" says hi!

As far as KLLM goes, Id recommend them every day of the week for a place to start. the training program is thorough, and dispatch is helpful with any other problems you may have. I had to have two trainers during my time in training because of a death in the family, which KLLM got me home for without question. I still communicate with both regularly, and I credit them for getting me to this point.

The pay here is better here than most places (TMC does percentage which might be higher), the benefits are good for the first year, they pay back the tuition to go to coastal, and I haven't really had a problem at all so far 4 months after the training.

Im happy here and can see no reason why I wouldnt go beyond the first year here. Not getting to park the truck in Hammond is a bit of a bummer because its a 2 hour ride from the terminal, but its their truck and they do provide secure parking at the terminal.

The reason why I chose KLLM is because of the pay and the fact that they dont force a lease truck on you. During training my trainers told me the benefits and responsibilities of a lease, but I decided to go company for a while and consider the lease later. Not once did anyone in Jackson try to throw a sales pitch at me like they do at other companies, and Ive heard some horror stories already about the way other companies operate.

Also, the training programs at other companies is just plain awful and its evident on the road. Swift and Werner especially have trainees coming out of their program that were trained by people with less than a year of experience. Seriously, at Swift I would now be eligible to train. At KLLM, the trainer must at least have two winter's experience, which guarantees at least 16 months. I know its generic for people to bash those companies, but when you see their trucks tearing up other trucks frequently at the truck stops - yeah.

/EndSalesPitch. Haha.

 

Gearing up to go home for the first time since before Valentines Day. Ready for some hometime! Next week is my best friends wedding, hence why ive been out for so long. Bachelor party in NOLA on Saturday! They're also taking this truck for the lease program as well, and were kind enough to let me finish my run before taking it. Ill be home for a week anyway, so they would have cleaned out my truck anyway. Swinging by a Wally world on the way back to Jackson to buy some plastic storage containers to pack everything up. Its amazing how much stuff Ive bought since I started, including this kindle fire that I'm typing on right now. Praying that I don't get trapped in one of those mid-roof volvos though, its hard for a 6'4" guy to move around in! Ive heard that those are for the regional drivers anyway...

Been running good miles the last few weeks ever since spring has set in. Averaging about 2400 per. This weekend has been a bummer though, currently sitting in Murfreesboro doing a 34. I'm hoping that the next truck I get assigned to gets above 61 though, sometimes it just does not feel safe going that slow while 4 wheeler's are flying by at 80+ and trucks doing 75-80.

Really starting to look at the lease program for a variety of reasons. One being the speed issue, which I know about fuel consumption and mpg, Id like to bring a small dog out here with me, and I am looking at the Tyson dedicated account. Ive also considered saving back for a year or so then buying the model of truck that I want, not just these Cascadias. Doing way more research before I commit to anything though. Will likely make a decision before the winter hits at the end of the year and make a decision before we break the chains out.

Hope everyone is doing well. If you see a tall bearded guy waving at you as you drive by me, say hi!

 

Supposed to be going home today. Notice how I say supposed to be.

Pulled into a Pilot in Maryland yesterday evening, was pulling into the fuel island and my clutch went to the floor. Put it in the shop last night, and this morning they told me that the clutch needs to be replaced, that whoever has had this truck didn't know how to shift well at all. Ive only had it for three months and double clutch all the time, and they replied that it would be impossible to do that much so quickly even if they floated the gears the entire time.

so, as it stands the truck is waiting to get worked on. I however have to be getting home to be best man in my best friends wedding next thursday, so Im hitching a ride with one of the bridesmaids down to Jackson to pick up my car. The guys in the shop say theyre going to have this thing fixed on tuesday or wednesday, and based off experience that means friday. ill be back up in Maryland next week to get rolling again. one of the guys at KLLM said dont worry about getting back up, theyll find a ride for me from Jackson to Maryland. Yay.

Was supposed to be turning in this truck for the lease program when I went home, I believe that they will have me routed back to Jackson when I get rolling again.

 

Awesome Mr. Volts, glad to hear you've joined the company. Now is the right time as well as we are in the full boom of reefer freight! You'll be out and getting the right training in the busiest time of the year.

I'm about to head up to Jackson in the next couple of days to go get my truck. Wedding festivities went off tonight and got to see my best friends get married. Was an awesome occasion. Gonna be hard to leave everyone back that I met the last few days, including a certain brides maid....HEY OH! Ready to get back out on the road though...need to make some money!

 

Currently riding with my first trainer back up to Maryland to get my truck. Been spending most of the ride talking and exchanging stories, generally just catching up. Was surprised that he is bringing me back up here since he runs teams with a friend of his, but its getting me back up to my truck very quickly. Now whether or not that Freightliner dealership is open on Easter Sunday remains to be seen. If not, then I get another night in a hotel. No biggie.

As for everyone asking about miles, last time I was out for 6 1/2 weeks, and I averaged 2,570 miles. Me being a single guy can't complain at all because I'm paying off the loan for trucking school with my own cash ahead of what the company is paying so I can get a good credit report from my bank. Also, I've caught up on all of my bills and have started paying off my student loans, more than what my monthly payment is so that they will give a boost to my credit scores.

So all in all, after six months of being with KLLM I'm liking it here. They take care of me when the truck breaks, helped me get back home for my best friends wedding, given me plenty of miles to catch up and get ahead of bills with plenty of cash leftover to get groceries and accessories for the truck. What more can a single guy ask for?