Finally doing what I've always wanted. ...

For the last ten Years or so I've wanted to go OTR. So I started at Hawkeye community college in Waterloo IA the first week in January and 12 weeks later I had a CDL and a descion to make....where do I work?. I had offers from Schneider transam and a couple of construction companies. I wanted to be in a smaller fleet and no 3 to 6 weeks with a trainer.

On the day I was to decide I received a call from a company in near my hometown a friend of a friend gave him my # and he offer me a interview. I jumped and got the basic info and accepted a job. 1 week with a trainer and I was off on my own.

Got my truck.....it was horribly nasty dirty....turn the key and codes and check engine lights start flashing.

I was not to be swayed....I had done the right thing I said to myself. I filled out a VIR and gave it to the shop mgr. He Snickers and says I'd have to drive it for now he didn't have Time.....hhhmmmm utoh.

I drove it with no Turbo and was saved when I had a trailer tire fixed and was informed a big leasing company owed my little fleet company and the shops were run by them.

Well 8 weeks later I've avg 2200 miles per week had numerous break Downs and picked up loaded trailers that didn't pass dot regs. I've been dispatched to a nursing home to pu 20 ton of mustard seed and spent this week 125 miles or less from the shop because we have no freight and a local driver is on vacation.

Lesson is ask questions.....TONS OF QUESTIONS before you accept a job. I am currently looking to change employers, but I will not trade one bad company for another. Here is my wish list....Van wyk Inc, Crete, and Keane thummel in new market Iowa. I will have stay where I'm at for at least another 3 to 4 months to obtain one of theses jobs.

After all of that I still love being a truck driver, just gotta find the right place to do it.

 

I grew up drivinging anything I could get my hands on....delivered my first load of corn at 16. Worked as a pipefitter and equipment operator traveling across the country. Just never had a cdl. Plus research research research. Maybe the worm has turned, got a load to Rochelle IL. Anyone want some frozen cinnamon rolls.

 

PHP:

Bad address and directions from dispatch....he has made a couple of bonehead moves like that. I call ahead on every pu and del and verify appt and address now.

 

Hey Gears....If you were me and wanted to work for a smaller otr company in our area who would you work for. Ive found out the importance of decent equipment. And having plenty of freight i work for G&H in greenfield. ...I've spoke with Decker, Keane. Thummel and van wyke. I get a 34hr reset at home every week but would be OK with every other.