MAY Trucking

Talked to the May recruiter. I just need a 40 hr refresher course since I havent driven since 9/2. They have a three day orientation in Phx, then out on the road with a trainer til he thinks I'm ready.

LA-Phx run is off now, but she said I could be on the list to wait for it to pick up again. They have the LA to Bay Area and back runs open. I'd be back in the area every two or three days, where I could do my 10's at home if I want. If I dont like my OTR trainer, I can just change him. Dont want an a-hole training me and freaking me out on the road.

She said they are running 13spd's. Is that right MGASSEL?

 

They run 13's but some of the new Pete's are 9's.

When you take the drive test you just run the shifter in direct with no splits into of OD if not familiar with a 13 . Then it basically becomes a a 7 speed with 3 shifts in low range and 4 in hi if you start out in 2nd.

The drive test at May is not a formality like some OTR companies. Even experienced drivers have failed it who did not take it serious. You must pay close attention to properly setup for turns and check your mirrors regularly. Shifting on the tracks is also a big no no. Pay close attention to what the safety guy giving the test says and ask questions as needed. Going over a double yellow, curbing the truck, shifting on tracks, and hitting cones when backing will get you failed, so take it easy.

Good luck!, if you deside to go with them

 

Thanks BigBlue! Yeah, I drove the 13's at TMC. Cant say I exactly liked it though. The 10's were much easier. I never tried not splitting the high range gears, maybe that would help me out, especially when downshifting on hills and such.

 

So May runs the I-5 and 99 in cal alot, do they run the 101 on the coast much at all. I live on the coast(yea, I know its expensive) and I'd like to stay here. I live in between the bay area and LA so I doubt I'd get much home time with the big national carriers. It'd be nice to get through the house once in a while. I know I saw one of there trucks the other day on the 101.

Kevo

 

Another thing you need to do is when you turn left check the right mirror for someone trying to sneak in and when you turn right check left mirror for vehicles trying to sneak in they are big on the oposite mirror checks.
when you do the backing part of the test G. O. A. L. put on 4 way flashers and toot that horn they are big on that.

 

I only worked their 6 months and never had a load on 101 and I ran I-5 most of the time. My friend who drives regional in Cal hardly ever goes to the west side of the bay area unless it is to C&H in Crockett Ca.. Most of his loads pu and del within a few miles of either Hwy#99 or I-5. Over half his loads are going to either Tracy ca, or Woodland Ca after pu in LA.

If you don't live on either of those lanes I doubt you would get home more then the rest of the 11 western which is 2 to 3 days every 2 weeks.

 

I hear ya. Thing is, I live reasonably close to the 5 fwy, and about two miles from their Fontucky drop yard. I'm actually in a good location for May. Just not sure if I want to pay for refresher training.

 

Then go to watkins shepherd they have their own school and can probaly just get you through for next to nothing. Or they might just have you do the 10 day orentation and put you in a truck.

 

40hr refresher training? What for, if you have only been out of a truck since 9/2?

I didn't drive any truck for a year and I was pulling my first load at May 3 days after I stepped foot on Mays property? Who told you this?

 

I think maybe he meant 92?