Freightliner Cascadias

jameshill, I was to be one of the first to say 2 things, 1)Thank You for your service in our countries Military, 2) And with you going with Maverick is a good idea, Are they going to allow your military training to play into what you do there? Thanks.

 

You'll need a CDL obviously, and I'm sure you'll be going out with a trainer when you sign on.

Maverick runs very nice equipment. These new Cascadias are pretty roomy inside. They might not look big from the outside, but I'm 6'1 and I can stand up inside and still have a few inches over my head.

They are equipped with the Wabco electronic tire pressure sensors, the OnGuard Collision Avoidance System, and adaptive cruise control. They have power inverters installed which give you four standard 110v outlets in the bunk to plug stuff in. We use electronic APUs that run on battery. We have the newest Qualcomm MCP200 touchscreen systems. They have the autoshift transmission in them that can be switched to manual when needed (and some drivers drive exclusively in manual).

The company uses the ETAP (Estimated Time of Arrival Prediction) system that lets them plan loads in a way that actually gives you enough time to run them. We don't usually end up on loads that are impossible to make legally (unless a stupid shipper holds you for 10 hours or something). We also hold one of the highest CSA scores in the industry, which often gets us bypassed at weigh stations (We have PrePass) and we're not inspected nearly as often. I talk to a lot of drivers who get bypassed during the annual CVSA inspection blitz. We enjoy that sort of thing based on reputation alone.

Hope that helps a bit. If you have any specific questions we're always happy to talk to new guys!

 

They take care of their trucks well, most are late model (2010-2014), there may be a few 09s' still out there but Maverick typically gets rid of trucks when they hit 350k miles, and they have front suspension air bags, which is a huge plus as far as your daily road beatings go. I'd say the only bad thing (if one wishes to consider it a bad thing) is the automatics (aka stoopid trucks...because an idiot can drive one and that's why they buy them). I saw where you say you like the idea of an automatic, and in theory it's not a bad idea. BUT, when you switch to a company that has a manaual...what will you do when you can't pass your road test because you can't shift? I've had 3 automoatics over the years and they've never always run flawless, whether the truck was new or 1 year old, at some point they'll let you down and cost you money due to being down.

 

Manual transmissions break down just as much as automatics do. It has nothing to do with the transmission - a lot of it has to do with the maintenance, proper pretrip inspections, and getting little things repaired before they become big things.

I would say the top issue with newer trucks is the ECM - the computer module that controls everything in the engine. I've never had a Mav truck in the shop due to the transmission, but the ECM is a whole different story. Well that, and all of the various sensors that go out as soon as it gets a little humid outside.

Driving a manual is a good skill to have for now, but is be willing to bet that manual trucks will eventually go the same way manual passenger cars did - as transmissions become cheaper and more reliable, that's what people will switch to.

And just because you know how to drive a manual transmission doesn't mean you don't suck as a driver LOL.

Also, keep in mind that our trucks can be put into manual mode at any time and you can shift as you please. The only two things missing from this are:

- The clutch (which really does a number on your leg in heavy traffic and causes more issues than it solves)

- And of course the... let's call it "experience" of manhandling a giant stick all day... And as for that, we'll just leave it for all the Freudians out there to figure out LOL.

This isn't directed at you at all USIT420, it's just a general statement as advice to the new guys. Anyone who claims you're not a "real" truck driver because you drive an automatic is completely full of it. These are the same guys that claim you're not a real driver if you need to get out and look, or if you have to pull up a couple times to get backed into a dock. All complete BS.

You know what makes a REAL truck driver? On time deliveries, a willingness to actually work, keeping that left door closed, and a 0 CSA score.

And when anyone dogs me about driving an automatic, I show them my pay stub with that .42 per mile on it after 18 months experience, while they're making .38 with 18 years experience. That usually shuts them up really quick

 

This I don't know, you'd have to contact Recruiting for that one. They will do tuition reimbursement if you go to a school, but you're not required to have attended any school at all to get hired here, unlike many other companies out there. You just have to have your Class A.

By the way, where are you from?

 

Can anyone tell me how maverick pairs you up with a trainer? Do they pick one close to your home or you just leave with any available trainer?