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

My trainer did the exact same thing. I drove ALL the miles and did ALL the backing from day 1. Starting on day 2, I did most of the DT and paperwork. Then on day 4, she had me doing it all. I was a little slower(still am), but got thru it.

 

The only other place I've been to that was featured on the show is Gold 'N Silver Inn in Reno: goldnsilverreno.com.

Their tri-tip steak sandwiches are awesome.

My thoughts on this are that some guys just aren't going to make it no matter where they work and when they fail, its all the company's fault. These are the same experienced drivers that have worked for 8 different companies in the last 3 years, some people are just never happy. You need to have a positive attitude going in and keep it throughout your whole career or you'll just end up like those guys at the truck stops and on the loading docks complaining about everything under the sun. Its true, the bashers usually make more noise than the praisers.

Also, unless you have some money in the bank, a wife or a girlfriend (or both) with a decent job, or maybe mom and dad to help you out when you first start, it will be tough. Its gonna be tough anyways. While you're a trainee, be prepared to starve. After you get your own truck, you can eat a little, but you'll still be hungry. Just keep the positive attitude and do your best and it will all work out and you'll start making some money.

Everyone out here has went through what you're facing. We may not be rich, but we are making a living. All the whining and complaining you hear is from those who weren't tough enough to stick it out and figured it was just easier to give up and cry to everyone that it wasn't their fault.

You guys being on this forum learning everything you can before you even go to driving school really shows to me that you are serious about this profession and want to succeed. There's no need for worry, you can do it.

 

Oh yeah, speaking of sticking with it. I just remembered, earlier today I was passing a Shaffer truck and happened to notice the stickers on the side of the truck.

They read, "28 years of service, 4 million mile driver".

That's about 143,000 miles a year with the same company.

The driver looked to be maybe 50 years old, now that's sticking with it!

 

Sorry you got stuck with that crappy load. At least you got out of there. I got a load at 1 pm Sat., but didn't actually get to leave til almost 3 pm because there were no empties. So I had to go to Statesville to get an empty, then to Charlotte for p/u, then on to Raleigh for delivery. A lot of work for 220 miles! Then got a load picking up in Garysburg NC to Taylorsville MI, but when I got to shipper, load had been p/u by another carrier 2 days prior.
So, being tired as heck and 2 am, went to my supposed fuel stop and shut down for the night. Now I'm on a load out of Henderson NC to Breinigsville PA. Got to shipper, and they've got the load as leaving tomorrow.
Really? But, they got me loaded in 2 1/2 hrs and I was hoping to make it thru DC tonite, but ran into roadwork traffic in Richmond. Called it a night at the TA here (I miss the TA. There showers are much nicer!).

 

I totally understand where ur coming from on that MusicGal.. Whenever I do leave for orientation, I will more than likely be leaving with less than what u did.. Times are tough and I am not working right now, just going to school.. I think I could hang in there though.. I mean, things can only go up from where I am now..

 

'3"! " DIAS HCRUHC EHT DNA

And the church said " Amen "..

 

Why can't things just come together?

Everything on my end has went very smooth for the last few days, not so much on my girlfriend's end.

I got up to the Family Dollar DC in Ashley, IN last night with 8 seconds to spare on my 14, that doesn't leave much time for a post trip inspection, but it was either that or be several hours late for my appointment, so I did what I had to. Got unloaded promptly at 0700 and by the time I got hours to drive again my FM told me to deadhead to Markham for trainer class tomorrow and even sent me a route solution so I get paid for driving there. Piece of cake.

On the home front, my girl's hard copy of her CDL didn't show up in the mail today so that means no orientation this week for her. USX will accept temporary paper copies with your old driver's license as long as they are for 90 days, but Michigan only issues them for 60 days. She called the license bureau and they told her that it may take up to 60 days for her to get her hard copy in the mail and that it hasn't even been processed yet. WTF?!? Her recruiter is going to check with the orientation supervisor tomorrow to see if they can work something out to get her going with what she has. The recruiter says she also has 2 other people that have been waiting on their Michigan licenses for over 2 weeks.

I'm still gonna take the class tomorrow morning and we'll just have to go from there. Hopefully they don't try to jam me with another student in the mean time.

I wonder what they'll give me for a trainer/team truck tomorrow, it looks like they are taking all the lettering of all the old Cascadias sitting around here and getting rid of them. There are a about a dozen of zero mile 2013 Peterbilts with the big bunks on them if anyone wants one though.

Time for a bowl of chili, a movie and a little relaxing tonight.

 

It is very discouraging to not be making money for all of us newbies. I don't think I've eaten more than a few bites of food since I started. On the positive side, I am sure I will lose those last 30 lbs. I want to get off! I did figure up that so far this week, I've gotten paid $6.71/hour for all the work I've done. 2 1/2 loads, 42 hours, and about 600 miles. Right now sitting (OUT OF HOURS) at Nestle with no access to any facilities. No place to park for miles & miles. Only place, WaWa, was way full. Creative parking like crazy in that little lot! Hooray for me!! Dispatch said preloaded trlr. Nestle said nope, live load scheduled for 2100. So have to load in the morning after my 10. Probably won't make it to Sterling VA by 1700 either. Not very happy about the entire situation. Supposed to p/u my team partner after this load and one to get me to Markham. Not looking forward to it. I dunno, seems like I could be doing this bad at home.Frustrating! Even had a terrible time STRAIGHT backing into a dock with no one for miles around me today. Need real food and a nice long shower. Maybe that will make my headache, and the strong urge I have to say forget this crap, go away.