Things I do not like about ATS

Yeah, right on. Thanks for the hasty reply. I come from a larger company where I was in a 09 w9 with. 13 and a 425 isx.. So I was just hoping it wasn't any silly tranny. That actually provides a lot of useful info for me.. Over my time I've developed a lot of bad habbits and I hope to hide em all for my driving test. Lol, gotta pass.. Hopefully that's all day one stuff there, the backing and driving, that way I know. I assume I'm a good driver.. but I'm also just a natural nervous wreck on "test".

Thanks for the securement info.. My ole mans a flatbedder, so he's showin me how to fold tarps, tarp and secure whatever he'll have this weekend. So ill be up there on the 2nd of august for orientation..so if anyone will be there,drop me a line. I'm hoping for.a freightshaker but a pete will be nice.. I'm just trying to keep it cheap but decent looking.. Also.. 70 mph is what were governed at? Only 4mph faster than my old truck.. But maybe these will pull better.. I do wish the trannys were 13s.. But I guess 9s are better than 8s.. Atleast I get granny low.. Oh yeah.. Everyone has adjustable 5th wheels? Tell ya what sir, ill buy ya some dinner for helpin me out here! Dollar menus on me.. Ha!

 

I put my truck in the shop for a PM and overhead and they found all kinds of problems. So, I'm in a hotel for the night. In other words I have nothing better to do.

They are governed at 70 mph, but if you drive 70 mph everywhere you go you are losing money. Figure you loose .1 gallon for every mph. You loose at least 1 mpg driving 70 mph rather than 60 mph. I drive 57 mph, except on those rare times when driving faster will make me more money. Those are rare indeed.

The easiest way to make more money is to reduce cost.

5th wheels are adjustable. Remember you will be a flatbedder. Usually, there is no need to move your 5th wheel ever. Just slide it all the way back and leave it.

 

Terry, what all happened to your trk?

Don't you just love surprises when it comes to having work done.
Go in for a few things and then find out you have more problems?

I know the feeling.
Good luck with the repairs

 

I went in for a PM and Overhead. The found rockers that needed to be replace and studs broken. Something about studs being under recall as well as oil lines off the back of the engine.

The bad thing is that I am under a hot load and I dropped the trailer at the house with a King Pin Lock. Now I don't know how I will make it on time and I can't get someone else to pick it up. Or I would have to get a ride back into Austin and back to Peterbilt to do so.

I guess I hope the Warp Drive is working!

I pay the truck off this coming Tuesday.

 

Hi Terry, You have a Cat motor correct?

There has been a recall about the rocker arms. Check to make sure the time did not run out on the warrenty. Friend of mines broke and they said time limit ran out on him.

Cat knew thay had a problem, but was hoping the time limit would run out and never did a major recall. Trying to save a buck.

Congrats on paying the trk. off.
It is a nice feeling to have. My trk. has been paid for a long time, now if I can just make it another 2 1/2 yrs. on trl.
EPA will kill me soon on my motor not being "Green"

Hope you get out in time to cover the ld.

 

Yeah, most defintly.. There are times I need to hit that high mph.. I have terrible luck with slow four wheelers and silly people.. So to speed up a little to make distance is a bautiful thing. Most usually 61.5 was my limit.. Still a tad bit over prime but still don't have to pass england. Sorry to hear about the motor.. Hopefully all will come out better than it went it. I tell ya, I'm just geared up and ready to go.. How's the motel you stay in? What is around the motel? My recruiter told me they would spring for lunch and I covered the rest.. So I'm assuming its one of those be at orientation at 6 am and be to the motel at 6 pm type deals? I do believe I've about asked every question I need to.. Oh yeah, is atbs offered or is it take care of your own taxes on your own?

 

Yes, it is a Cat C-15. They said it is under warrnty. Hopefully, they'll get it fixed right because I am going to have to run hard.

I am in Buda, TX not at St. Cloud. There are plenty of places arround the Day's Inn in St. Cloud. My advice is to stay out of the bar/bowling alley/whatever it is next to the hotel. Stay away from alcohol for the few days that you are there.

You will meet downstairs in the breakfast room. You'll chow down while they handle a few admistrative requirements. They will tell you what time to be ready each day and the shuttle will pick you up and take you to where you need to be. They corporate headquarters is in a different place than the maintenance shop.

While deciding what truck to choose, don't let them rush you. Inventory everything and take pictures.

Basically, day one is administrative issues, physical, driving test.

Day two, select your truck, more safety and admin issues.

Day three, lease agreements and issue securement equipment. This is when you will inventory your truck and equipment.

Day four, complete any unfinished issues. Dispatch on your first load. It is in your best interest to have any maintenance issues completed before you leave. I know we all want to get out on the road and make money, but that could be the wrong strategy. The 30 day warranty is written in stone. Have issues repaired while you are at the maintenance shop. They will be under even more pressure to get you out on the road.

Since they told you two days of securement, so I don't know for sure how your days will break out. Anything you say in class, no matter how small, will get back to someone. Don't be a ########. Keep your mouth shut and be a professional.

I will be up there on or about the 27th. Hopefully, only for a day, but experience tells me it will be two or three days. I doubt I will see you, but who knows!

Goodluck!

 

I forgot, yes, ATBS is offered. I think it is $16.something per week. It comes out of your settlement so you don't have to think about it.

 

Well thank you very much, I appreciate all the info.. Its more than enough to make me feel like I've made the right descions. I think ill be okay, I'm more of the reserved and respectful person, ats has extended an invitation to me and I graciously accepted. I just hope I can catch on and learn everything that's required of me.. Then from what I understand there a lot more learning once I'm on the road.. So this is one company I've always wanted to work for.. So I'm hoping and praying that I can make it thru and be successfull!

Edit: ya, sorry didn't mean to make anyone think I'm going to be a cheerleader or anything, I'm just exited to be comming over, some people dream of nice 2 truck companies with custom 379s and a gob of miles a week.. Mine was to learn flat bedding in and out and go over and work with my dad at his nice 2 truck company that runs 5 states.

Also I have a few more questions. Any trucks have opti idle, wabasto under bunk heaters or apu's? The company does allow power inverters? Any wal marts or anything close? I imagine ill need to buy some noodles to get me by till I can get back to my house and grab some stuff. Lastly, I'm a larger guy, 6'2 and around 350 pounds.. I'm a hard worker and eat it up.. But there isn't a bmi test or oh man, your to fat to work here attitude? Thanks a bunch.

 

Warp drive was working, so I made it on time. Now I have to sit, waiting for reality to catch up.

I took my truck in for simple maintenance issues and left two days later with a $2,357.66 bill. Looking to the bright side of everything, I took my Maintenance Account down to a zero balance. Now they can't screw me out of any of it, nor do I have to wait for 45 days to get it back.

My truck is running much better now. I don't know if my fuel mileage has improved or not, remember I was running in warp for 1400 miles. Even so, no complaints. It wasn't to my targeted 8 mph, but decent for the speeds I was running.

They didn't have any loads back towards St. Cloud, remember I have to sit a while, so I took a load of Kubota tractors loading out of Lodi, CA tomorrow morning and delivering, with stops, Monday and Tuesday. A perfect load under the circumstances.

So, I may be in St. Cloud this coming weekend into early next week, we'll see. If I am, I'll post here and give you a chance to pick my brain in person.