Ask A May Trainer

I believe in most peoples case a teacher is necessary. Many that go out with a "TRAINER" still finish out and get into a truck a lot soon then the process time at the company you work for! Not to say your company is bad I know many fine drivers over there I believe besides may there approach to getting guys/gals on the road is the correct way to do it.

Besides that, Trucking isn't about who can put you in a truck the FASTEST. It is about who can keep you there, keep you happy! Speed to being solo shouldn't even be a consideration when looking for a company to work for. EVERYONE should seek out a company that meets their long term career goals. The idea of a STARTER COMPANY is BS There are great companies to start with and retire with and May trucking is one of them.

 

Yeah I did that 10 day program there and it was great and nice to be out on the road real quick. The trainers there won't let you go out if they feel you are not qualifed or safe enough. At the same time when I did go out alone on my first couple of loads I really wished I had someone with me to help. Not so much with driving but with navigation and tips on how to handle shippers and receivers and some backing situtations. I would really have liked a trainer with me when getting pulled into weigh stations and DOT inspections for the first couple of times. I was not the only one to feel this way. There was a couple of us in the same 10 day program that wanted to team up for a few weeks or months to help with all the stresses of driving. Nothing against that program or company cause it is a great company and for some it works and for others it doesn't. I only left that company to care for my daughter so now I am getting back into trucking again and looking to go to May since they do have a two week training which I may not need but is good to know that its there. I did try to go back to my first company but I've been out of the truck to long. (only a year) but only have 6 months experience.
I've been reading a lot of post on how all these people want to come to trucking due to their current jobs are not paying as much or lack of respect. Well I have news for you, trucking is not going to make you rich and you may just be another number with most companys. When these new truckers come in and get a taste of reality they complain about it. Well I know am just a newb myself but I have grown up with truckers in my family and I know they didn't do it to get rich, they did it cause they enjoyed being on the road. So my advise is if your looking to do this to make you rich, then look else where. There may be a few drivers out there making a good living at it, but I wouldn't count on it, especially in your first few years. This is job that requires dedication and a lot of hard work and a LOT OF PATIENTS. You need to be able to communicate with others with respect and not get easliy offended if someone doesn't treat you the same. It happens and you just deal with it and move on. Of course there are limits and I wouldn't let someone walk all over me, but choose your battles wisely. Ok I've rambled on enough. Hope to be driving soon and May does sound like a good company to be with. Be safe.

 

Well said. I have been driving for over twenty years and worked for 3 companies prior to May. May makes it a priority to get you home on your scheduled days off which is something I really appreciate.
Pay is good and miles for me have been 2500 to 3000 per week running dry van in 11 Western. Refer would probabley be more miles but I really like the Pacific Northwest.
I plan to stick around for many years. Jumping ship just means you have to learn how to swim in a different pond.

 

In which division of MTC would a newbe spend more time at a dock? thank you

 

Little bit of a toss-up on that one. Dry side ( 11 western ) has some
D & H (drop & hook) while the refer side (48 state) is usually a live load and unload.. I have sat in some docks on the dry side for over 9 hrs(grocery whrs), So its kinda hit and miss.

 

hi all, been following May for alittle while now.have a few questions..
1-does May offer a L/P? or are they total company only drivers??
2-if they are company only drivers,after u drop do they expect u to stay at shipper and waite for another load assingment? or can u drive to a T/S??
thanks in advanced to who ever answers

 

Thanks for this thread Efon. I live in middle TN (not far from Nashville or Chattanooga) and see on the website Pensacola is the closest terminal to me. They don't show a hiring map, does May hire out of my area? If so would the freight lanes allow "normal" hometime.

 

Great question, and I'd like to add to it by asking what May's major freight lanes are in the refrigerated division.

 

I really enjoyed reading your post. I worked for may from jan 95 to jan of 97 until the Army called me away. I really can't say anything bad about them well the pay wasn't really the greatest back then but they gave me a shot and i was greatful for the oppertunity. One of my best trainers worked casual for them his name was Richard and lived in Payette and trained in between his farrier schedule. My DM was Larry Scott and he was the greatest. My brother worked for them as well. we eventually both became trainers for May ourselves. I wonder if A guy named dallon still works as a local driver in Payette. well keep up the good work on this thread i think it will be very valuable to the drivers interested in may trucking. JJRanch.