Well, in 2 weeks my year of solo driving at USA will be over, and with that, so will my employment with them. My year in review...

Trucks... Never had too many problems with the 2 trucks I had. First one was an old trainer truck with 380k miles on it. Ran it to 510k and ruined the drivetrain, they had me back in a different truck within 8 hours(since I was only 4 miles away from Spartansburg). The second truck broke down in Sealy, TX with an bad EGR valve, of course it happened on a Friday night with the Cummins place not opening until Monday am, I was stuck in a hotel for 5 nights total, only being payed for 2 nights breakdown pay.

Miles.... What can I say, if you like to run, then this is the company for you. I averaged really close to 3k weekly miles, with the exception of the breakdown in Sealy and hometime weeks. I would stay out 5 weeks at a time, then go home for 5 days. Got a good mix of short and long runs(love those Laredo runs).

Dispatch... Weekend and night dispatch sucked, probably true of most big companies. It helps to have your dispatchers direct line#, that way you don't get put into the holding que calling the main #. My dispatcher always treated me fairly, and if I requested a run to a certain area, i.e. California or whatnot, he was usually able to do it.

Tickets... 3 tickets within my first 3 months solo, speeding (68 in a 55 - downhill with 42k in the box), logbook not current (I hate Mississippi, he was standing outside in pouring rain right next to the scale waiting for me to pull up to check it), and an overweight in TN (yes I got lazy and didn't scale the 45k load. Been clean since then.

Logs... I'll just say I ran how i needed to do deliver a load on time. Never been late except for being broke down.

For the most part, I enjoyed my time at USA. Yes, the 500-1000 mile Friday pickups that can't deliver until Monday AM kinda suck when they don't let you drop em, sure it's hard to get through to dispatch sometimes on the weekends, but all in all, getting into USA to earn my wings wasn't all that bad. Hell, I would even stick around after my year if I wasn't going to play in the fun and sun in California for 3 months chasing gold. Who knows, I may even come back in September and try to get back on with them again, although I would really like to get into a company that does coast to coast runs. If anyone knows of a decent company that does so, don't be shy to message me and let me know.

good to hear been with them 9 months now had about the samr experience as you so far.no major issues with them.probably will stay with them unless i find something here in dallas making comparble pay and gets me home a little more often

bluesdad ...... Dispatch... Weekend and night dispatch sucked, probably true of most big companies.

Couldn't even begin to count how many x's I've heard that on just pumkindriver.com - esp from nubs!

bluesdad ...... the 500-1000 mile Friday pickups that can't deliver until Monday AM kinda suck when they don't let you drop em, sure it's hard to get through to dispatch sometimes on the weekends, but all in all, getting into USA to earn my wings wasn't all that bad.

Also sounds very familiar!


-charles

Had a thirteen mile trip in LA, Next was 150 miles north to Santa Barbara, but it was Cali!

When hometime can you take the truck, and do you have to wear uniforms\

you can take the truck home if you have a secure location to park it.No uniforms to wear.I have been with them 11 months now.My dresscode is if i have to pick up or deliver it is shirt,jeans and workboots.The days i dont pick up or deliver its shorts and tennis shoes.

Hello, newbie here and am I confused !
I just accepted a "buyout" from my employer...it is either do that or be put out in a year or two with nothing to show for it !

Anyways, "grandma" has tried this semi-retirement thing and it is starting to get to me ! (Cabin fever)
I was thinking of hopping into a CDL school & get started in trucking. A couple of old timer's have suggested to cool it until springtime and then get started in trucking. I have begun talking to truck driver's and have been directed away from a few of the companies.
I did not realize that they are laying off trucker's with high senority and at the same time "scratch over" the newbies. I had this experience in the medical field...and it has gotten worse from what I hear.

I have seen a few cabs from USA in my neighboorhood so I was considering talking to them later on.....(Live in Michigan not to far away from Lansing,Mich)....
Thing is with the economy should I jump in trucking now or wait till Spring?

I would wait till spring to try and get a full summer behind the wheel, Learning in the winter on icy roads might not be that fun..just my two cents, for what it is worth...

Thanks for the information !! Appreciate it !!
I have not heard anything negative about USA Trucking Co. & I have tenative plans to be on the road as much as I can for two reasons:
1.) Don't need to be home (divorced & children are grown), &
2.) want to see the country & gain experience.

Not sure how long I want to drive....just want to give it a try and besides I am not the type to sit home & barbecue & watch TV.
Trucking will help me to improve some observational skills in storm chasing (member of family is now a meterologist) and then maybe return to school & get into a meterology degree program at a tender "young" age of 50+ (the new 30).

)I sometimes feel like these four walls are closing in on me at times).

I agree on that I am waiting untill it stops snowing for the most part next year to get back into trucking.
I started in mid july the first time stayed untill oct then jumped ship due to the snow starting in the mountains in wy and utah. Did not think I had enough exp on dry pavement yet so I sure in heck was not going to try and tough it out through the winter months with a little exp.