USX drivers...how's your day??

That's just nuts!..

 

Wonder why the slow freight right now? Craig and Anne said they had to do some waiting also...

 

It's not slow freight. Turns out I'm coded to take the trainer class here, but I'm sure my FM said the class was on Wednesday. Just told them I didn't want to wait that long.

Craig and Anne are in the reefer fleet. Sometimes you have to wait a little longer when you run reefer. They don't switch you back over to dry van if there is nothing going out that day. At least they never did for us. Then when you are on the east coast you have to wait for a load that goes straight back to the west coast. All the runs are high miles, but sometimes the waiting offsets that.

 

Good info as always! Thanks Vince.

 

Probably shouldn't be thinking like this early on, and although the positive things that I hear outweigh the negative, I feel like I should maybe question my decision to go with USX right offhand.. IDK.. It just seem like the negative is just so.... NEGATIVE.. Guys being left at truck stops, not being trained properly and expected to pass an upgrade test.. I'm not so sure anymore.. I'm trying to stay positive and all but it just seems like so much to deal with starting off.. I know all situations vary and all that but #*$%! I'm not saying I will be put with a trainer like that but what happens if I do?.. Like I stated, I'm not one to bite my tongue.. Maybe that could be a good thing.. But I've come this far and will be responsible for a lot of money once class is over and I'll be ###### if someone treats me the way I've heard some of the guys have been treated.. Any advice right now could really put my mind at ease..

 

All I can tell you is you'll hear those stories with any training company. Usually I tell people just to suck it up since it's only a few weeks, but if a trainer is really bad then just call the training coordinator. It's not normal for a trainer to kick a person off their truck. I doubt if it's actually allowed except in extreme cases. We only heard one side of that story, but I hope that trainer was removed from the program if it was true. There's no need to get in a shouting match over something like that. Maybe the trainer just wanted him to do it on his own like he would be doing in real life when he's solo.

Also remember you are a newbie. You'll need to leave your ego at home. I'm not saying put up with abuse. Just don't be too sensitive. 3 weeks is not a long time in the scheme of things. There will be a lot of stress on both you and your trainer. You are trying to learn everything and the trainer is hoping they don't die...LOL

 

Oops, one more thing. Most people come on a board to criticize a company. Few come on just to praise it.

 

Well I cleared all that up and got a load going to CT. It's 43000 lbs so I scaled at my fuel stop. Darn thing is a little over 35000 on the drives and the tandems were already slid all the way forward. That means some a-hole dropped it there knowing it wasn't legal. It's legal for NC and NY, but not VA, PA and NJ. It is a reload from a wreck. Not sure if they'll have me take it back to the original shipper or what.

 

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that if I get on board, it will be nothing but praises.. I do understand that nobody is perfect.. Driver or trainer.. But everyone deserves the same respect that they expect to receive.. They had to start somewhere as well.. Like everyone points out in the forums, the trucking industry has changed so much.. With that being said, the companies, trainers and drivers should all be willing to adapt to those changes.. I for one am not in this completely for the money.. Yes there is good money to be made out there.. My main reasoning for wanting to become a trucker is because I have ALWAYS wanted to be a trucker.. I love to travel.. I love to drive.. Did I mention I love to drive?.. Lol!.. I have held several driving jobs from the age of 17 but was never satisfied.. I needed more.. I love meeting people and I believe I have a wonderful personality because I get along with just about anybody.. It's gotten me a long way in life.. Along with all that, I've been to a few truck stops and have met some great guys out there doing what you all do.. It's a lifestyle like one of the guys in the other posts said.. I believe that whole heartedly.. I want to be a part of that lifestyle.. Just would love to accomplish that without the added BS that comes with it..

 

All of us that upgraded in Springfield OH were sent home immediately for 4 days off. Don't know why you were told different. Seems like each location has their own rules???? As for being a tough industry, it is. I was home for 2 weeks before getting seated on a truck-solo-because I still don't have a team partner. And, I really don't want one either. I like being solo. I get a little frustrated at times because the Driver Tech is about 1/2 mile to 1 mile behind me, but I can follow directions, so mostly not a big deal. Sorry your experience has sucked, mine has been pretty good-SO FAR.