Central Refrigerated Truck Stop

i will definately keep in touch. im thinking of just bringing a couple pair of pants and shirts but enough underwear and socks to change whenever possible. im hoping to watch the trainer and learn when it comes to shifting and mountain driving which i have alot of experience since i live in the mountains but have never done it in a big truck

 

So far the only ones I have heard that from are other drivers. Fact is freight is freight. If you are the closest available truck to the awaiting freight you get it. Doesn't matter if you are leashed or not.

I had the pleasure of sitting with my DM and watched him and a few others dispatch trucks and watched the load boards.. Their computers do not say this truck is company or this truck is a lease.. Even maintenance has to ask if you are company or lease..

I have found if I start getting my DM thinking of getting me a new load the day before I hit my 99 I am usually preset. From what I saw on the load boards if you aren't being preset you need to 'communicate' that to your DM..

 

For clothes that's good. I stop ever other day for showers so you can get a week plus with no problems. Shifting, be confident when you shift. Students will move the stick to slow and then struggle to get it in gear. You don't have to be lightning fast, just smooth and confident. Mountains, don't be to fast and don't be scared. Most times I find I can do 6th gear down a 6% at 80,000 and be almost no brakes needed. Not always a garunte but its close.

 

the double clutching is gonna be a tough test at first. i hear the training is really fast paced so that is good and bad at the same time i guess. Just hoping the trainer is as friendly and informitive as you are. If i get a bad trainer what can i do to fix that, or can i do that at all?

 

If they truly are a bad trainer. Call the training department and speek with them. Remember it is your career and tell them that if you have to. Be sure. You have a legitimate reason for being dissatisfied though. There are a few bad apples out there.

 

Celtic you are right. They don't issue loads by lease or company. They issue loads by availability and driver performance. If there is an important load and you and some shlub are in the same spot they will give the load to you Celtic cause your record is good and they know they can depend on you for this important load because you have a proven track record. They really do try to issue loads evenly and distribute miles evenly but when it comes down to it the loads and miles go to the performers! The scraps are evenly distributed to the drivers who like to complain, sit at truck stops, can't figure out their hours etc... you know the ones....

That is why it is so important to have a good relationship with your DM and also like Celtic said, show your face to your DM. Let them know there is a human on the other side of the qualcomm. Friends scratch each others backs! Everytime we were at the terminal we would stop in to see our DM and either bring him a gift or take him to lunch or something to that effect. Halloween we would bring him a huge pumpkin filled with candy! Is it brown nosing? Possibly, could also be saying thank you for taking such good care of us! Yes we still had crappy loads! All part of trucking. The job has to be done. A lot of times crappy loads set you up for good loads. Sometimes all that is available is crappy loads and they are doing you a favor by keeping you busy. Whatever the load tell them "thank you" and get it done with a smile! There is nothing more a DM loves than a driver that doesn't cause problems or make their day more hectic.

JJ made a point about the lease being a step before owner operator and I really think that it is. It is a perfect situation to get you in a truck and help you to become a bonafide owner op. You are on your own yet still have some back up when it comes to maintenance or needing money or help on the business side. A real owner op that breaks down either has to pay to fix his truck or he's out of biz! A lease op, Central will pay the bill and you pay them back slowly over time. If you miss a truck payment Central will cover it. Miss one as owner op and the Repo comes and gets your truck!

I really do think its a good way to become a successful owner operator. However, you need to really know what you are doing to be a successful lease operator too!

Congrats Jess and JJ for going to Landstar! I think you guys will really like it there.

 

yeah i would never call and complain for a petty reason ever.im so excited its all i think about now. i can barely sleep thinking about it. gotta go its buck season in cali and i hear one calling my name

 

Is that any of you about 6 trucks away from me in door 140ish at Costco dc in Tracy?

 

Nope. I told dm get me out if the west. I don't care for it. So now I am east Kraft. Much better.

 

what dont you like about the west?