Heading For Little Rock! Maverick

my driver instructor was not and has no desire to be a "black hat".
He put me in the driver seat from the very beginning based on my driving to Walmart and back in the company car. That and the fact the loner truck they gave us to run to Hope and back to the rock was so disgusting he didn't want to touch the steering wheel. LOL!! I was comfortable driving a large vehicle, and he was comfortable with my driving. He'd always pick the ####tiest parking spots in the truckstops to back into also, no pull through's.

I met a noob in Bennettsville that was on his third week with his trainer, and hadn't driven the #### truck yet. there could have been other issues i'm not aware of because the fellow didn't seem to be a go-getter, but that really annoyed me.
I told him he may need to speak to someone in LR about it, he told me he didn't want to get the guy in trouble because he was "pretty cool". I simply pointed out the instructor wasn't doing him any favors, and it was going to be pretty tough starting out in his own truck with no real idea what the heck he was doing.

Dunno what happened from there, but it's painfully obvious they need to examine the driver instructor program.

 

No need to put the rain gear on until we actually have to get out and work in it.

 

Jim: Its been a little over a year since you started with Maverick and trucking. Looking back on your decision any regets as to your career selection and the company you selected to work for?

 

Cheeseburger,

Was that when we were down in bennetsville getting that particle board? That's where I first met you at. I met a student at Home Depot in Dallas, TX that was asking me how to place a coil on a trailer. I don't know if his instructor sent him up there to ask me. (To see if I knew how to do it or not). I tried explaining it to him on paper but he still didn't understand.
If they're are any students reading this forum, take it from a guy like me that has been on his own for a month. If you have ANY questions ask your trainer while you are with him. There will be somethings you won't think to ask; such as the tarp problem I had in Butler, IN. Thanks to the guys in here, I used what they suggested on the next coil that I got; which was like that. Like burger said, it doesn't do you any favors if your instructor does all the work, example, driving, backing, securing, tarping. Yes you will have to back a flatbed in some tight places. It is better to back with your trainer helping; than it is out there on your own with no one in the jump seat. I'm not saying I am an expert by any shape or form because I'm not. I am a new guy which is still learning. I ask questions to any Maverick Driver I see. They will show you how to make securing and tarping go faster. But you will have to find your own way of doing things. My tarp jobs still look like crap lol.
Anyway, I dropped off a load of Aluminum ingets here in Hawesville, Ky that I picked up in Baltimore MD. I still had drive time and hours on my 14 available today, but I had to shut down because my load assignment don't have me picking up at AK Steel 20miles up the road until tomorrow morning at 0600. It goes to Marietta, GA and I could deliver it tomorrow, but can't deliver it until Friday at 0700. Hope everyone is having a great week.

 

yeah, it was the truck that left just before you pulled to the tarp area. I walked over to say hello and pick on the new guy, ( nice shiny new hardhat lol!) I asked him how long he had been in training, and he said it was his third week. So, I'm like why the hell you standing here and your instructor is tarping the load? He preceded to tell me he hadn't done much of anything, hadn't even driven the truck.

 

When did mav start pulling boats? I saw one tonight north on 45 heading towards lone oak KY.

 

I see some of you skate boarders have been studying the ways of my division. There were several outside the drivers lounge this morning when I got there at 0815 and at 2015 most of them were still there when I got back. :smt023

 

Yea I saw him standing there too. I was wondering why he wasn't at least helping tarp the load. I thought it might of been his first day or two. But, I know when I was with my trainer, the first load we dropped off; I was folding tarps, rolling straps, etc. Him being a student should of said something to his trainer. He will never learn just watching; well I know I couldn't have learned by watching. I met another student yesterday that said he was about to quit because his trainer made him do all the driving. I preceded to ask him, "who do you think drives my truck all the time?" I said I do. I told him everything his trainer makes him do is for his own benefit; because there will come a time when you don't have a trainer in the jump seat and you are on your own. I wasn't mean about it, I was just telling him like it was in a nice way. I think sometimes people see trucking as easy money. I knew it would be hard work because I pulled a RGN and a step/drop deck in the military. Ya'll have a great weekend!

 

I just got word that I am approved and they want me to schedule orientation and I am gonna go thru the securement training also as it has a while since I pulled flats. I was undecided as to go with p&s or Maverick but I like the stability and the pay and the respect that goes with Maverick. I can't wait to get back into flatbedding again I hate groceriesI like a company that is strait up with you and from what I have heard and talked to drivers out on the road, that is the way it is with Maverick. Am I wrong to think this?
I have been hollering at drivers for about 2 months now and I haven't run into one that was not happy. The last one that I talked to told me that he loved them and as long as I didn't mind following their rules then I would to, but if I did then I might as well go on. I am looking forward to orientation. On the physical they don't have any weird rules do they? I heard on the radio that some companies won't hire cause of your neck size, if it was over a certain number then you had to take some sleep test. Is that true at Maverick? Anyway hope to meet some of you.

 

I don't really know how Maverick goes about determining whether or not you get the sleep test...but I didn't see them measuring anybody's neck when i went through orientation.

As you've been told...as long as you do things their way, you'll be fine.