Paying my Dues? Or Slave Labor? *Venting*

Yes, the title is a tad more dramadic than it should be, but there is no hiding my feelings on the subject on which I am about to write.


Venting Below --- Do not read if you're looking for a college essay, this is just me getting crap off my chest ----

Some of you may have seen other posts I've made about day 1 at orientation to my current situation. However, I'll catch, those who don't know, up on the situation so this *venting* can be taken in context.

Going into U.S. Xpress I have all intentions of going teams. Before I arrived I already had my team mate, and had the mentality of teaming. After orientation I was sent home for a week to wait for my trainer. A week passed and I was called by the training cord. She told me the name of the trainer, and where I was to meet him. Then she let the cat out-of-the-bag... He runs a dedicated family dollar account for the south east.

Right as she told me this, I quickly interupted and requested to be pulled off this trainer (before I was even on his truck) and be put with an OTR trainer. I was told, that was an option however, if she couldn't find one, then I was stuck with a dedicated family dollar account, and if I refused another trainer then I would be termed. Long story short (to late), I took the dedicated trainer I was given.

Now, let me say this, I completely understand the term: Training. I know, that I shouldn't be paid the same as the trainer when I am in training (and even out of training). I understand that I need experience, and I'll be doing all the driving (which I want...). I understand that the trainer is suppose to help me, and train me, about everything on the truck and trailer. I understand that I gotta pay my dues (for whatever that is).

This is what has me venting... I am on a dedicated account, that has no chance of offering me experience in different terrian. Sence I live in Florida, I know how to drive very well on flat, long stretches of road, heavy rain, and horrible drivers (New Jersery though wins on that). What I haven't driven are: mountains, snow, ice, sleet, extreme windy conditions, and etc.

So, why in the hell am I stuck getting trained on a dedicated account when I have no intentions of going dedicated... I don't need to learn how to unload a freaking trailer. I don't need to know how to set my rollers up, and how to avoid falling boxes, and I don't need to know how far I can push my back before I can't walk. Don't need it know that crap.

The trainer, holy crap... from day one... SUPER SOLO! YAYYYYYY!!!! It's like... "oh first 75 hours behind the wheel?? Get the hell outta here! We're doing as many loads as possible!" I drive, 9 hours to Miami from Marianna, he calls the store "Hey... if we get there early can we unload early?". That would have been fine... but hey i was under the impression that I just drove my ### down there, it's 4pm... I am alittle tired, and I only have 5 more hours on my clock; surely he's going to do the first stop by himself so I can just kinda wind down and relax (not saying I was goign in SB, but I would help him set up the rollers, and make sure stuff doesn't fall off). But nope... I did set up the rollers, but it was me who was unloading. And everytime I bring up the fact that I'm not doing dedicated he brings up "just call your training cord.".... Knowing that even if I do that, it wouldn't help, just freakin delay me even more than I am, from upgrading.

So, this is where I am at. Doing about 95% of all work done. Driving to all stops, unloading from 2-4 stops Monday/Tuesday/Thursday. Working well beyond my HOS on those days. (He drives to first stop, and we don't start our clocks until we leave). SO I am working around... 16 hours a day.

Now I understand, teaming won't be easy.. I know, I know, I know... but I am getting piad 58$ a day to put myself through this crap? Crap pay for hard labor? I mean those people who don't know, Family Dollar Dedicated, you hand unload, BOX-BY-BOX. Trailers can range from 26,000 pounds, to 38,000 *Haven't had anything heavier*.

So what the hell... so I am doing hard labor, for #### pay, and not gaining any kind of experience of what I am going to encounter when I go OTR teams. Luckly for me though my partner (who started training 1 day before me) has already upgraded (took him 3 weeks with an OTR trainer) and is running solo until I upgrade. I am currently now starting my 6th, yes I said 6th week. Not because I need more training, it's because, like I said, we have been running super solo sence day one.

Long story short... I believe I am being taken advantage of in a huge way... if I am wrong please, oh please tell me I am, and make me see why I shouldn't feel this way. (130+ hours down, 20+ to go... should upgrade this weekend.. God I am so freaking ready).


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This is a vent, no reply is needed, just needed to get this off my chest.