Driving OTR with US Xpress

Yes now I know I'm not crazy!! It's freaky weird

 

My last one said Whyand other unmentionable gibberish and so did my trainer's, but so far, mine is okay. (Let me find some wood to knock on!) I actually got a dang fine run this week! Must have been all that fussing I did last weekend. Gretna VA to Columbus OH, Grove City OH to Tobyhanna PA, and Tobyhanna PA to Huntington WV was paid on this coming up check tomorrow. Not bad for 4 days work. This week I got a sweet run from Bristol VA to Houston TX. Finally south and out of the mountains. Got 2 days hometime next week I need to remind my FM about, but we will see how it goes. I had only been getting about 1000 miles a week. Going broke at home sucks, but going broke working sucks more, so I spoke up.

 

I've had my first decent week since I started solo. Picked up in Bristol VA and delivered to Houston. Headed to Arnold drop lot in Port Allen LA to pick up and deliver to Byhalia MS tomorrow (provided I can do 590 miles). Then have a preplan to pick up at terminal in Olive Branch to Danville VA delivering Sunday. Only concern-I get 12 hours back tomorrow, but only 6 Sunday, so I may have to let the second one go. Both are drop & hooks. Still, a decent week for me.

 

I would pick up the load and have your FM set up a repower. Never give up miles. Olive Branch us a very nice terminal. Do not follow your GPS to the terminal. When you get off the freeway, don't take the first right like it tells you (No Trucks) go to the next right and then go to the end and turn right.

 

For those of you that have been following this topic that Wedge started have seen me post several companies I have been looking at. Well I have some good news......I made my final decision late last night to go with USX . I want to say that a big part of this was reading Wedge's entries and NCC's blog website. I think I was already sold on USX before that as they were always first on my list, but after reading their comments about working for this company I knew I found my new home. I also like the fact that they accept pets although I am hearing some conflicting info on what USX charges and how they charge it. I hope to speak with NCC soon to get some more accurate info since they have pets.

So what does this all mean....well I will be moving to Gallatin,TN from San Diego,CA to stay with my best friend (Vic) who I've known for the past 30+years since high school. I also decided to keep my new car and will use it to make the road trip to TN and then drive to Orientation in Tunnel Hill which is about 3 hours from Gallatin when that time comes. Vic told me one thing I didn't know that TN has no state tax like CA so thats more money in my pocket which will be nice. I am not looking forward to the humidity however during the summer but can't wait to finally see the changes in seasons which we don't really have in San Diego. Nice thing is that I will be heading to TN in Nov/Dec just in time for winter which is my favorite season in places that can get snow and where it is nice and chilly. Oh and i spent 3 years in the Army in Germany, so I know what it is like to work in the snow...and I was never bothered with it...which is strange coming from San Diego where it is always sunny and 72. Cold and dry heat I can handle, but humidity....well will see I may pass out like this emote.....LOL

Oh and guess what....I also sold Vic on working for USX....so he is going to come join the company at the right time so when it comes time for me to do the 8 weeks of required team driving my recruiter said we can both team up for that. That way I don't have to worry about getting someone I can get along with and a bonus is that he doesn't smoke which gives me headaches when I am around it to much. I also encouraged him to become a trainer for USX as he would be very good at it. He agreed and will do so once we are done with our 8 weeks. Keep in mind as I mentioned earlier he has 12 years of trucking under his belt and the recruiter said because of that he only needs 30 days with USX before he can apply to take the tests to become a trainer. We had talked about him doing that before I apply so he could be my trainer, but felt that might cause issues for him to be a trainer in time for me only to go off training in order to do the 8 weeks as well with me.

I am super excited to not only start my new career but to see my good friend much more often. We have always talked about teaming up together (long term) but felt the 8 weeks will allow us to see if we both like the team concept and if we do then we will do that at after I get a year under my belt. Meanwhile I can build up my self confidence by using all he has taught me and apply those teachings in my work driving solo. He on the other hand will be able to pursue his ambition to become a driver trainer for a major company. We hope to still see much of each other out on the road and hopefully our FM(s) will try and coordinate our home time so we can spend it together...or least within a day of each other's home time would be nice. I plan on doing what NCC does and spend some time visiting relatives and touring some cites. I have a ton of relatives in MA and have always wanted to see Chicago. I love live music and Chicago Blues is one of my favorites along with Classic Rock.

Well guys...sorry for the long post, but had some pretty big announcements. I hope I can keep in touch with the people I have met so far here on TTR and personal blogs that some people have as I go through the process. I can say without a doubt that I want to met NCC and Wedge someday to give my personal thanks to giving me that small little push I needed to join USX. I look forward to reading more from you both and other USX drivers. I hope we continue to hear from others that are going through the beginning phases of orientation and training. Thank you Wedge for starting this great topic here on the TTR.

The Diceman

 

Goodness, if you love the blues, you HAVE to spend some time in Memphis. Don't plan on seeing the whole country as a solo driver for USX, that is really a team thing with this company. I am positive you will see Chicago, however.
I will give you a call tomorrow. The problem right now is I drive nights and sleep days and we are currently in the Eastern Time Zone.

 

Oh yes....Memphis.....and Nashville as well which I will be living just 30 or so minutes from...both music meccas. Another place is Austin, TX and New Orleans....man I could go on and on. Oh yes....I know unless you drive team you don't get very far west and really was the only thing that was left in my "con" list. I took no APU out of that list once I got feedback about issues with idling so I'm not to worried about that anymore. Well I think one "con" is pretty doable at this point. I could use the break from spending the past 48 years in San Diego anyways. Will be a nice change of pace and I still have an opportunity to see family out east in MA. I think my dad may even move back there soon which would be a bonus.

I totally understand about the time zone difference and the crazy sleep schedule you need to follow to stay safe and abide by the DOT regulations. Thank you for the update however and can't wait to chat with you about trucking with my dog.

 

Congrats Dice. Please allow me to add my 2 cents.

The truth on the pet policy is that they collect a $500 deposit just in case your pet does any damage to your truck, this is a one time charge and it is transferable when you change trucks. They take this at $50 per week for 10 weeks. I'm not 100% sure, but I think this is nonrefundable and you never get it back. They also charge $10 per week as long as you have a pet on board, this means for the first 10 weeks they will be deducting $60 per week from your check.

I think its great that your friend is also coming over here and is going to do the 8 weeks team with you. I know you guys have talked about this, but I think if its possible, it would make a lot of sense to get him on board with USX for the 30 days required to be a trainer before you go to orientation. That way he can be your trainer and do the 8 weeks team with you consecutively, and if you guys decide to stay teaming, you can just keep on going. If it doesn't work out for some reason or you decide that you absolutely want to run a year solo before teaming full time, you could split up after that and he could start taking other students. I think if you guys like being together and running as a team, financially you would both be better off to just team right from the start though.

What about your dog during your training and 8 weeks of required team driving? Neither trainers nor students can have pets, but if you guy are coming in as a team with him being your trainer you could get around that rule. Just a thought...

Again, congratulations and good luck!

 

Thanks Jeremyc for your 2 cents....it was worth much more than that for me

I was under the same impression about the pet costs, but heard a couple of variations so thanks for clearing that up and I'm sure that when I talk to NCC tomorrow they will back up what you said.

Yes we did talk about him getting his 30 days in and then would be my trainer as well as doing the 8 weeks. I'm just not sure USX would go for that since he would be a trainer they would want to utilize him in that role after I was done by having him get another trainee. However it is definitely on the table and I do plan on contacting my recruiter to present him the scenario and see what he says we would be able to do.

My hope is that USX will work with me regarding my dog with some of my ideas. One idea is that Vic would come to work for USX at the same time as me and he would have my dog in his truck since he will start solo right away after his orientation while I go do my 120hrs with a trainer. Then when it comes time to do the 8 weeks of training we would team up and have the dog with us during that time. I'm sure USX will be fine with that since we have a unique situation where we know each other. I think they will give me some leeway since after all I did refer Vic to them. The only thing I would have to work out is the costs. Not sure if in order to keep the records straight they will have to charge everything to Vic and then I can just pay him back for the first month or they will allow me to pay everything even though the dog will be with him. The other idea was that if Vic was to by my trainer in addition to the 8 weeks of teaming....well same thing...I'm sure we can have the dog with us during the 120 hours as well, but because we are "training" they may not allow the additional responsibility of taking care of an animal. My impression of USX overall has been that they are not to hard nosed about things and will probably be fine with it given the unusual circumstances that both people are best friends.

I will keep you posted on what I find out,
The Diceman