Newbies can only start out as teams for U.S. Xpress?

No not in Chicago at least

 

you must have 6mos exp to start at usx

 

depends on where you're hired from.
plus it helps give you experience so you're not alone and you get into a bind somewhere.

The company i work for requires 5,000 miles of the newbie driving with the trainer in the pass. seat. Then it's at least 5,000 miles team driving. Granted, it's not 6 months, but it does help a lot.

 

Hey Swaps what company are you talking about

 

When I started at USX 14 years ago, they put me in a truck with a trainer for two months before I upgraded to solo... I think some of these companies are using this recession as an excuse to wring more team driving out of newcomers, 10?

 

IMO-You don't have to have 6 mo experience to start USX-they were hiring newbs- and it can be solo/160hrs training-of course that may have changed in the last few months.

 

I was hired in Jan and told that, being from the Phoenix area, I could go solo after doing four weeks with a trainer. Got the required 160 hrs of wheel time [150hrs BTW and 10hrs backing] in just less than three weeks. Went to Tunnel Hill, GA, for the upgrade process and while there I was told that now, new drivers from Phx were being required to team for their first six months. I protested, but to no avail. They did let me run solo for about 10 days though, until a team partner in Phx was lined up.

While at orientation in Colton, CA, the contract I signed was for a solo, NOT a team driver. But everything was done digitally and I never received, and failed to insist on being given a written copy of my contract. On the third day of orientation, when we were officially hired and individually did our paperwork, the director would turn his flat screen monitor around and point out what each of us were digitally signing on a signiture pad. I was told that they were going 'paperless' and it was not necessary to sign a paper contract. At the time I was more concerned about getting a trainer and trusted USX to honor its promise. As it turned out they were not able to get a trainer in CA or AZ so I had to travel to Dallas [Irving] to connect with someone who I found to be an excellent fellow to train with. We thoroughly enjoyed our time together and still keep in touch almost weekly.

However, I was not as fortunate with the driver I ended up teaming with, and I recently got off the truck and took a bus home. At my age I've cheated death more times than I probably have a right to, and as long as I can "roll the dice" myself I hope to squeeze another decade or two out of life's journey.

Looking back on the experience I have to say that I enjoyed most my time with USX. If I could drive solo with them [not possible at this time] I would not have any major reservations with going back. They always paid what I felt was owed - sometimes even a little more than what i thought I had coming; the trucks were nice and although I had to sit for three days waiting for repairs to be done, they did take care of all the issues I had with my first truck; the other drivers that I met at the terminals were very helpful and friendly. As to whether or not ALL new hires are presently required to team for their first six months, I don't know if current policy mandates that or not. But it certainly appears to be leaning that way.

For any one thinking of signing with them I would still recommend them, but as my father used to say CYOAF. I think the experienced truckers around here have warned us new guys many times about the many pitfalls and drawbacks of the business, unfortunately it just doesn't seem to sink in until we are face to face with some of these situations.

 

Going solo all depends on the state you are from. I was out 3 weeks with my trainer (150 hours driving, 10 hours backing), came in to upgrade at Tunnel Hill and went solo. I'm on my 4th week right now.