1 year anniversary

I just made it an entire year with USA Truck. (October 15th, so actually a year and a month, now)

I went through Driver's Solution, did my CDL training at C-1 in Little Rock, completed Orientation for USA Truck in Van Buren, did 3 weeks OTR training, and I have been solo ever since. Lots of good days, good weeks, good checks, and good travels, with just as many bad days, bad weeks, and worse travels.

I have been to every one of the lower 48 states except North Dakota. I normally never get home when I ask. (My girlfriend lives in Iowa, so I spend most of my home time with her, though I am from Louisiana, but I never get to Iowa on the day I ask, and I rarely ever get to use all of the days I accrue while out)

I have yet (in over a year of driving) to sit and wait for a load. The closest I have come is not having one as I went in to get my paperwork to leave a delivery, and when I made it back to the truck, the Qualcomm's red light was flashing.

I have had 3 fleet managers. The first one was a complete ###, and made everyday more miserable than the one before. The second one is easily the best co-worker I have ever had. He was very good at communicating, and used it to his advantage, which worked in my favor. The current fleet manager is pretty cool as well, but I have only been with him for a week, so we are still feeling things out.

I started in an 07 International 9400i 10 speed that had over 500k miles on it. Very good truck, but it was an old trainer truck, so I was switched to another 07 International 9400 automatic, with a leaking windshield that has been worked on 6 times, an ICON system that wont allow you to set the temp above 75, which causes an error in it, anytime the outside temperature is below freezing. I have this worked on every time I pass through a terminal, and nothing is ever really taken care of.

The breakdown department is normally pretty helpful, it just takes hours to get through to them when you call, and takes just as long getting a response on the Qualcomm. The terminals are all pretty nice. Some full of amenities while others are simply just a familiar place to park and take a crap.

I am sure there are tons of things I'm leaving out, and if anyone has any questions, I will try to be more active and answer them, but I just figured I would stop by and update. Stay between the ditches, drivers!!!

 

Im governed at 59...they told me that I would be pushed up to 62 at my next service. We'll see.

 

LoL. I surely thank you!

 

Thanks, guys! I consistently hear drivers bad-mouthing their companies, but if I'm honest, for every 1 complaint I have about USA, Im sure they have 2 about me.