Start school in the morning - Ridge Career Center

Update! Heard from the "Big Fella" last night. He started with Windy Hill straight out of school and was doing OK. But a couple months ago he scratched or cut his leg while on duty and a couple days later when he got back to the terminal in Florida the company rushed him to the hospital. He got some sort of intense infection in the wound (Strep or Staff?) and he was nearly dead when they got him to the Hospital. He was in the hospital for about 2 weeks and been home on WC ever since. So far, he still has to use a walker and is a good ways away from being able to drive.

 

Current Update. Things haven't gone too well for our class!! The "Big Fella" is still messed up bad from that infection he got and may be messed up permanently. He'll likely need a very good attorney. The "Magician" started with Squire and only made it a few months and OTR was not for him. With 3 small children at home, not a big surprise. The "Kid" almost made it thru Werner's long "milk the Rookie" training process and literally ended up in a fisticuffs event with his trainer. No longer with Werner and now considering going to school to become a mechanic. And the "Old Guy", well I made it 10.5 months with Con-way Truckload and got forced dispatch to Canada multiple times on my trip out in February. I chose to move on. Now pulling for Knight Transportation out of the Lakeland Terminal. No Forced Dispatch and No Canada!

 

Con-way was a good starter company. Probably the best OTR option for Florida residents to get started in the industry. But they are quite inflexible in comparison to where I work now. Just go in knowing that you are Forced Dispatch 48 states and Canada. You will be required to obtain passport and hazmat within 120 days of hire. Be advised that many employees for a couple different reasons are exempt from these requirements so you will carry the burden their exemptions create.

 

Another update. Heard from the "kid" recently. He has resumed his training with Werner. Should be solo soon. I'm still plugging along with Knight for now but sooner than later I need to find a gig that'll get me more hometime. Weekends off would be nice.

 

Update. The "kid" has made it to solo status now with Werner and seems to be doing OK. We chat quite often now. I am still fulltime with Knight. But after a meeting today with my new FM to discuss my future, it is likely that I will switch to Casual status by the time the snow starts flying in the East. Shorter durations out and more flexable hometime which has become the priority. Hopefully, achieving 6-7 days home per month versus the current 3-4 that I am getting on fulltime status. Ideally, burn my 70 down in 7 days, two days at home, and repeat. I absolutely loath both working on recap and resetting on the road.

 

Periodic update. I am with Crete these days. Came aboard in February 2013. Doing OK here so far. Plenty of bumps in the road like with any mega, but gradually smoothing them out. "The Kid" is back with Werner. He's had a roller coaster ride to say the least. He's been: regional solo, national team, national solo. Then left to try Sweet Express out of Michigan, where a buddy works. Immediately realized he was a Fish-outta-water and came right back to Werner. Then broke his hand. Now back as a regional solo driver with Werner. They're running him well out of the region tho. Haven't heard anything on the Big Fella or the Magician in a long time.