Maverick Transportation

very helpful and thanks for breaking mine into readable phrases that made better sense to you and others who may read it. I have a very busy home life when i get home and i'll brainstorm an entry then go break it up like you did. Should I get interrupted during the brainstorm phase, rather than losing what i've typed already, i'll post it and then possibly go back and edit my entry.

A couple of people have posted on here the day by day of Maverick's orientation program, Jim the Hut and Redcoat wife have very good descriptions of day to day goings on at HQ in N Little Rock.

Very nice of you to suggest money saving airfare tips too so thanks from all perspective applicants.

Orientation: Week 1: all classroom, videos on the computer.
Week 2: Securement training in "the barn"

At Maverick you'll be issued an ID badge that you're expected to wear while on the property. Your first name is huge! Why? So anyone esp CEOs can talk with you and get to know you during your orientation. Your truck number is nowhere to be found on your badge before, during or after orientation. I mentioned speaking with certain individuals, Dean, Curt, MaMa Kay, etc a few others Steven x 2, John, Ed to name a few others. Same of the above are CEOs, higher ups, whatever title may preceed their name but just like anyone else, they are people who work for the same company as you do and enjoy speaking with drivers because they are the only contacts who may have knowledge of what is really happening, being said, etc out on the road. They are also people like you and i that should not be shunned because they have worked hard just like you and i to achieve their positions. Also its an "in" a little more personal than "hi" or "hello" a conversation starter rather than the usual closed end greeting.

At Maverick, you are treated like family at least that's the feeling i get. I even call going to HQ, "coming home" that's the feeling i get when i go there. A place where i can relax, swap stories, whatever among my peers.

I mentioned the black hat program: Drivers of the month for Maverick that for one year after they achieve Driver of the Month serve on the Driver Advisory Council where once a quarter year, they are routed through HQ for an all day meeting, Drivers Advisory Council Meeting. Where they meet with CEOs and share not only whats going on outside the gates of HQ but ideas, suggestions on how to improve day to day operations out on the road or possible suggestions on how to make the company more profitable, safer, etc. Some drivers that have been asked to be "blackhats" have accepted and unfortanately, pun intended, the hat went straight to their heads and think they have to call in on other drivers that they see doing something wrong rather than doing what they are supposed to do, help the driver correct what they are doing against Maverick's or even DOT regs. Because of a few bad apples that got the black hat, others like myself with the same black hat are shunned, not spoken to, and sometimes avoided at all costs. Even my first experience with a blackhat 2 weeks after starting with Maverick would have definately put a bad impression in anyone's mind.

Hence my reference to if you hear other driver's bad mouthing the black hat program ask them if they are one, and when they answer no, ask them why not?

Long story short, The Orientation is a 5+ day job interview so common sense folks treat it as such.

Welcome to the team Sir, hope to meet you soon.

Sarge

 

Hi Sarge,

I fully understand the " brainstoring concept" LOL. I, more times than I care to admit, find myself letting either or both, my written or spoken word get ahead of any form of rational and sometimes, cohearent forms of understanding. In my mind, it's clear, but what I tend to forget is what may be completely logical to me, often many times, are not to others. Leaving the door open to mis-understandings.

having owning my owned company many years back, I learned very quickly that one has a choice as to how a company is ran. either as a Company, or as a family unit working together to achieve the same goals. Once I figured it out, my small company began to show not only loyalty, but also quality as well as profitability. So much that it wasn't long there after I found my self taking on contracts in Southern China, where I met my current wife.

When I finally agreed to signe my divorce papers from my previous wife, I gave up the company as part of the deal. By doing so, due to her lack of understanding of the family concept, the company fell rapidly to the gorund within 6 months & disolved.

Now I'm not saying that I'm better or know more than anyone else out there, to do so would only prove to others just how arrogant one can be. However, I do believe in being humble, sympathetic, yet stand strong in ones convictions. Go forth offering nothing less than 100% of your abilities, fear not to ask others to assist you where you my be weak, and together, your team will come together as a well polished wheel, working together as one while at the same time, out shine your competition. It is there I believe that by doing so, its a sure way to stand out above all others.

I am sooo eager to get out there to orientation that I find myself feeling like a little child just days before christmass. Restless, lost of focus, sleepless nights, etc. I'm guessing it is because I KNOW, without any doubts or reservations, this is the one thing in life that I know I can do & do exceptionally well. I'm all about safety and have always looked for a safer yet sencible way of doing things. Sometimes, it's concieved as an over kill, however, more times than I care to admit, many of those times my over kill has proven to save ones own neck

Looking back on some of what I wrote earlier, I can see wher folks may concieved that I may very well not make it in this industry. I guess what I was trying to say is that, from having past experiances with previous dispatchers and fleet managers, who, for what ever reason, (as you put it) allowed their title go straight to their heads.

Back then, it was either their way, or you just didn't get any loads. There was no sence of "True Safety" much less the industry was plagued with renegade drivers keeping 2, 3 or more log books. Running on what ever pill they could get their hands on etc. Therefore, breedign the concept that "Hey, if John Doe can pull a 6,000 mile week, so can everyone else" attitude. Compnaies back then didn't want to know just how "John Doe" Did it. Their bottom line was "Just make the company money".

Now, almost 20 years later, with things changing for the better. Laws put into place to help protect the driver and to make sure that the driver can preform in a safe yet profitable manner, rest assured, I have no problems putting those rules into practice for me. If nothing else, it will make me a far more better & respected driver.

Have a happy 4th ya'all.

 

Ok, I've been reading over the "Orientation Information" as to the itenerary and what to bring, and I'm a bit confused here.

Speaking with the recruiter and knowing that I'll be going over to the Specialized Div in Laurenburg, NC, I'm confused about the time lines that some of you are speaking about.

I've read where some have stated that it is a 2 week orientation in AR, others claim it's a 5 week deal, yet others claim a 4 day. Very Confusing.

Speaking with the recruiter, I'll be going to Little Rock for 5 days, and then will head to Laurenburg with a driver to complete the specialized training side.

As per the "Expectaitions / Things To Bring" section:

#8 ; You will need to bring the following:
A ) SS Card - Have it
B ) CDL - Have it
C ) Logs for the last 7 days - Haven't been driving - Don't have these
D ) SSN#'s & Birth Dates for everyone to be put on insurace - Have these
E ) TWIC Card (This is Required. Maverick will pay for it up front & payroll deduct)
F ) AL Coil endordement (Required. We can help get it and Payroll Deduct the $10)

11 ) Recommended equipment to bring:

A ) Rand McNally Motor Carrier map - Got IT
B ) Alarm Clock - Got that (on my cell phone)
C ) CB Radio - Have one
D ) Bedding for the truck
E ) 25 ft Tape Measure


Ok, here is what is confusing me:
# 8 - E & F. What is a TWIC Card and why is it important to have one? How much is it?
What is this Coil Endorsement thing? I Didn't see that being offered at the local DMV office.

# 11 C, D, & E.

Why would I bring a CB Radio with me to orientation and out with a trainer? I mean, I would think that This could wait until I am assigned a truck & put it in the first time I am home.

D ) Bedding - Again, Same as above. Until I have my own truck, why not just use a sleeping bag. I would think that if one is with a trainer, they will be in Condo Trucks, and everyone knows that you can not sleep in the top bunk while the truck is in motion. So, if it's my time to hit the hay, instead of messing up the trainers linnens, just toss a sleeping bag on top, crawl in & be done with it. when I get my own truck, then I can worry about actual bedding, Right?

E ) 25 ' tape measure. I think I understand why we need to bring one, but I look forward to hearing more on the subject from those who have already been there, done that.

Thanks

 

For those of you looking for a true to the heart detail of what to expect during orientation & training, You've GOT to read this segment in it's entirty. GREAT & DETAILED INFO. Just what I was looking for:

http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr.../101564-heading-for-little-rock-maverick.html

 

You do not have to worry about the TWIC yet. They still have not got me to a place to get one. It allows you into the port.

Not sure about the coil endorsement....I do not have one. They say they will help you get it...so it can wait until you are hired.

Sleeping bag is ok for now...that is what I still use.

You will want to have the cb when you are finished with the orientation and they give you your own truck. The yard will put it in for free. Alot of our customers use it to communicate.

Hope that helps!

 

Ok, here is what is confusing me:
# 8 - E & F. What is a TWIC Card and why is it important to have one? How much is it? TWIC is for going into ports.not sure the cost.
What is this Coil Endorsement thing? I Didn't see that being offered at the local DMV office. Alabama requires testing and endorsement to haul coils in and out of state.

# 11 C, D, & E.

Why would I bring a CB Radio with me to orientation and out with a trainer? I mean, I would think that This could wait until I am assigned a truck & put it in the first time I am home. if they route you to a load after training and there's a sign at shipper that says "tune radio to channel 4 for loading instructions" what are you going to do?

D ) Bedding - Again, Same as above. Until I have my own truck, why not just use a sleeping bag. I would think that if one is with a trainer, they will be in Condo Trucks, and everyone knows that you can not sleep in the top bunk while the truck is in motion. So, if it's my time to hit the hay, instead of messing up the trainers linnens, just toss a sleeping bag on top, crawl in & be done with it. when I get my own truck, then I can worry about actual bedding, Right? yep. until you go home the first time.

E ) 25 ' tape measure. I think I understand why we need to bring one, but I look forward to hearing more on the subject from those who have already been there, done that. when i was with roehl. we had steel and lumber tarps, 4.5 ft drops on steel, 8 ft drops on lumber. measure the freight to see which tarp you need. first load i got was a low load, didn't measure it, and used a lumber tarp. rolled up about 4 ft of tarp. not fun.

Thanks[/QUOTE]

 

OH Crap!! Then I need to find out if the Airlines will allow the CB on the Air Plane. I bought it a few weeks ago, & have yet to really open it up. But I don't want to put it in my Luggage as stuff like that gets ripped off or mysteriously disapears.

THAK JIM!! You've been not only a big insiration to me, but have managed in your very own special way, answered virtually every question I've had, without even knowing it. Look forward to meeting you one day.

 

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Yet another fine exampe of assistance & informational. THANKS GUYS!! REALLY!!

You know, I'm thinking (if it hasn't been done yet, of starting a thread that is only for information in regards to mavericks orientation & It's preocess. This way, the new guys, like my self, can go there & get allof the latest info without havig to spend hrs or days on end, searching for the very same questions that have been already answeres somewhere in the deap darkest section of multiple threads. What do you guys think? Good Idea? If so, while I still have a few days before I leave out, I can try & assemble something & then get it up for all to use. ??

 

GREAT IDEA!!!

others have answered your questions from what i've read and i'm sure i'll get corrected on this one re: Alabama's coil endorsement. Last year after a coil was lost off a truck in "malfunction junction" Alabama was requiring drivers to take a test and become certified to haul coils into, out of, or thru Alabama. Immediately some drivers were tested and certified (unsure of how much the charge was) then Alabama's ruling was challenged because of from what i can figure, how can a state law trump a federal law? What i heard was Alabama held firm until the threat of losing some or all of its federal highway/interstate funding caused Alabama to back down/ eliminate its coil hauling certification requirement.

I did not get certified, do not hold a certification from Alabama to haul coils into, out of or thru it, and wonder if any of the drivers were reimbursed the money they spent to get certified by Alabama?

There were postings in the Maverick terminals re the Alabama coil hauling certification and they have been taken down. In fact, until i read your post this am, thats the first time i have heard it mentioned in over a year.

Re the cb question, 2 of the 3 places i went to this past week where signs were posted tune your cb to channel ____ didn't mind me checking in by person because i was in a loaner truck rather than my usual trainer truck. The only customer i've found that will not allow you to check in in person is Steel Dynamics Inc, SDI, in Butler, Indianna. If CB-less at that customer, you have to use someone elses.

Once again, welcome and hope to meet you soon. As for me, my next student who lives 20 miles down the road is meeting me 2morrow, we drive to the terminal in Gary, In, transfer our stuff into my trainer truck and then deliver a load of PC Strand (coiled rebar), tuesday in Elk River, MN. From there, Forrest Gump said it best. . . "like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get."

 

I look forward to meeting you as well!

God Bless!