May Trucking from the start

Well first day down. Got a good feel for the 13 speed transmission, it is actually pretty easy, just gotta think about what you are doing! Meet Trucker Steve today at the May yard, nice guy, he has some interesting and good views. We just did local runs in Phoenix but are headed out to Compton, CA tommorow at 6:00 in the morning. I will keep you guys updated. Trainer is a real nice guy and has 18 years experience so that makes me feel good.

 

I had heard that too about the Phoenix yard, here is what I now know. The guy I did my test with is no longer there, he left about 2 weeks ago. They now have the guy who does the local runs, doing the test. I dont know who the guy was that screamed at every one but like Efon just take your time and once you get it lined up and in the box, dont mess it up! Make small adjustments and keep it square.

 

Well alot has happened in 3 days. We left Phoenix Tuesday morning heading towards El Monte, CA. I started driving from the get go. We fueled up at the Pilot around the 101 and 99th Ave. Scaled the load and as we were leaving DOT decided to put up the portable scales at all the exits from the Pilot. We were fine but was an interesting way to start all this off. We made it into the L.A. area around 2:00 and dropped the trailer and grabbed another one. This one was headed to Lacey, WA. By now the rush hour traffick had started up, what a mess! Too add more problems there was a fire in Burbank so every car was wanting to check it out. We made it up the grapevine too Frasier Park and called it a night at the Flying J.

The next day we drove the 5 and made it to Medford. By now I am really digging the 13 speed, great for the mountain passes and you can drop it a half step and gain alot. Again, I was spoiled because the trainers truck only had 5000 miles when we started, and I noticed the window sticker said service was do at 6000. I asked Kermit about Mays policy and as we were talking he says, you know on our way to WA. why dont we stop off and have the service done. I was cool with that and figured I should get to know the yards. I must say that night was pretty rough. The Pro Stars have no window on top bunk so with the heat rising and no air movement it was hot!! Thought I was in Phoenix again. The first night was nice and cool but not tonight. I think I finally got too bed around 1 in the morning but was waking up every few hours.

The following day we had a short run to Brooks and on the way up Kermit says "you know you are ready to test out, I see no reason to keep you on this truck, its time you start making some money."

After 3 days with the trainer I did my Skills test and Road test at Brooks in the afternoon and was assigned a truck yesterday. I got a 2007 Peterbuilt 387, miles are kind of high but they said dont get to comfortable with it because in about 6 months they will be putting you on something else. In the meanwhile while I was getting my truck a experienced driver helped to get some extra parts to carry on the truck; windshield wipers, fuses, gladhand seals and tailight lenses. Also met a few drivers and they were a big help with advice and other tips. One has driven for May for 22 years, lives on a boat around Huntington Beach. The other guy had been driving for 30 years and he said to me you know, do you have a CB, I said well not yet but I have been thinking about. He says today is your lucky day and pulled out and older one he had, it has been peaked and tuned already and he said give me $20 and its yours. So I got that put in today, dont really plan on using alot but have already used it at my first load, a paper mill and at the gate you can use it to talk to the guards.

I must say that the drivers and managment at May really made me feel good, alot of people were there too lend a hand. Of course I got the "You guys have it easy today, when I started driving.........." but those stories make me appreciate what they have learned.

On that note, a couple of things: one thing I have never seen talked about on here is the "Pocket Truck Stop Guide" book. Cost about $5 and comes in handy for trip planning and just to know what is up ahead. It has it broken down by state and highway with truck stops and what services they have. And I know alot of guys dont like GPS and think if you have a GPS you cant drive but they do come in handy. I dont have one but the trainer does, the Garmin Nuvi 465T, at our drop in L.A. our exit was closed due to construction, not a problem the GPS re routed us and like that we were back on track. I can only imagine not having that and being in rush hour. Also it lets you know when a weigh stations is coming up or any type of grades or curvy road.

Well I am picking up a load tommorow early and headed back to Phoenix to get my stuff and spend a few days at home. I was really happy with the way this worked out, I thought I would maybe be testing out in Phoenix on the 3rd but we got it done yesterday.

 

One other thing for Entry Level Drivers, May has started a bonus type program for any new student driver. I was talking with some folks in the office and they were telling me that alot of new hires are "swimmers", people who are looking for a "job". They will either quit when normal jobs become available or after a few months the wife cant handle being alone and they leave. The number of student drivers that left in 09 was high, not because it is a bad company but with all that is going on with the economy people think they can go become a truck driver just like any other job. But as we all know there is alot more than just holding a steering wheel. But the program puts money in an account for you and if you are employed with them at the end of December you get the money. The program starts for all new hire after July 15th and runs till December. The word is if you drive and get your miles you could rack up $1000 by December. Kind of a nice deal, I had no idea until yesterday.