Beginning the Long Awaited CDL Process

Markus, Millis is a good company to start with. They do want to train you to their standard. You can put in a call to them and get the answer. Like I mentioned to Wulfman, if they bring you in you'll have to pay for the training. They will deduct it from your pay weekly.

KLLM is also a good company to start with. And as AT said, avoid the lease program. Learn how the system works first.

I find that USX is a good company. Their big, so I'm learning how to make their system work to my benefit. I have a great truck and get plenty of miles (3157 the past 8 days).

How well you are trained on the road with your company trainer is what will make the difference. If you have a good trainer, you'll learn how to be efficient, and not waste time. Keeping that left door closed is the only way to make money.

You company choice will be based on hiring area. List those companies and start reading up on them (their web sites) while you're finishing school. Learn what each company has to offer. That's the first step.

We'll all be here to offer whatever info we can.

 

Hello Everyone.

I just finished up a 34 hour reset here at our Ellenwood terminal, which gave me a chance to go home, see the family, and stock up on supplies.

When I came back to my truck this morning, I noticed that one of my super singles was flat. With the limited shop staff here on Sunday, it will be a while before they can get me in. So I figured it would be a good time to fill you in on the things I've learned in the last 3 months on the road. Maybe these tips will help out some off my fellow newbies.

Get out of the way!

Working for one of the large carriers has its advantages and disadvantages. One of those disadvantages is driving a truck that's governed at 65 mph. When I first started out, if I came up onto another tractor that was driving at his maximum speed, I would pull out to pass even though I was only going 2 mph faster. Well, I realized pretty quick that if I didn't pass him as quickly as possible, by the time I completed my pass, there would be a long line of P.O.'d drivers behind me wanting me out of the way. So now if I come up behind someone that's running a little slower than me, I wait until there is no one in my mirrors before I pass. This way I don't have to turn off the CB.


Here's the shipper!

We all spend the bulk of our time pulling up to guard shacks going in to pick up or delivery loads. When I first pulled into a shipper or receiver, I never thought about the fact that in many cases my headlights would blast into those guard shacks with reckless abandon. Being night time, and the guards eyes adjusted to the darkness, there was no need to simulate day time and possibly cause optic nerve damage. So whenever I pull up to a guard shack, I turn my head lights off. Most areas are well lit, so the need for headlights is usually not required.


Truck Stop Parking.

This one I figured out by an example set by another driver. I was in a truck stop (can't remember exactly where) and I had arrived early so spots were plentiful. As the night time approached the typical parade of drivers began to file in looking for a place to be for the night. While I watched everyone set up and park, I noticed that across from me was a driver, who by no fault of his own, was parked one space away from the next closest truck. The TS was small, and as the spaces were taken, it became more and more difficult to set up and park because only half of the spaces could be backed into with the preferred sight side back. So any space that didn't have a truck parked in it, was used to help drivers manipulate their trucks into their targeted spot.

So this driver parked across from me (when there was a lul in the action) repositioned his truck so he was next to a truck, instead of leaving an empty space between him and his closet neighbor.

I was impressed by that courteous display, and immediately adopted that policy into my trucking philosophy. So now, when I show up at a truck stop, if there are 10 available spaces together, I take the next available space, not one in the middle.


Truck Stop Parking II

Another thing I've noticed, and this doesn't happen everywhere, but if you drive for a major carrier like I do, it's not uncommon to here color commentary about my possible up and coming difficulties parking my rig. I have two avenues of thought: turn off the CB, or grease that truck into the parking space as professionally as they would. I like to leave the CB on and do my best to disappoint them by getting it right with minimal adjustment. Plus, with my policy of take the next available space, sometimes I will pick a spot that is right between trucks, to first, use up the space, and second to listen to them yack about me possibly decimating someones completely restored and pimped out 379 Pete. Anyway, that's just me providing entertainment for my brother truckers.

On a more serious note, it's important to plan your parking into your trip each day and to keep in mind that the later the day gets, the fewer the available parking spaces.


These are just some things that all drivers deal with day in and day out. I have learned a lot of things from the veteran drivers out here, and continue to learn each day.

And don't forget, always keep your doors locked, even if you're just sitting in the truck.


Enough band width usage for this post.



Thanks for reading.

-Wedge

 

Markus,

Got an update on your progress?