Driving OTR with US Xpress

Hey guys,

I love all the ongoing commentary Wedge, but I haven't seen much in the way of west of I35 loads. I am in the process of joining up with USX, but I live in western Colorado (I70 exit 42) so, how hard is it for me to get at least a 34 at home once a month?? I don't need much hometime at all, but the refilling meds once a month means i need to at least roll through and and the mandatory appointment day every 3 mos. Also, I see there is a terminal in Ca, so is this where I'll be doing my orientation?? I've been driving since '94, but the last 7 years or so have been local oilfield/construction so according to my favorite recruiter, Kyla, I MAY have to go train for maybe a week.....I wouldn't mind teaming up if it keeps me out this way.....But I'd really rather run solo......

So what say you??

 

Your recruiter is your best source but as a solo I expect you will run the Western 11 States and never go East of I-35. I am not sure if they are still doing orientation in Colton CA It is an on again, off again thing.

 

Sweet.....I was just dreading the bus trip from here all the way to Tenn......Personally I'd be fine with running ALL 48......but I have been with other companies (WestWay/Werner) and they all seem to have their own little sections of the country they frequent more than the rest......

Maybe I can talk em into lettin me run I80 in the summer and like 40/10 in the winter......with just a roll through to get meds and a day every 90 for the doc.....

Hey, a guy can dream right?? Maybe the team/trainer thing might not be such a bad thing.......at least you seem to get real miles as a team......I just don't know if I'm the trainer kind of guy........Imagining me being the first guy a zero timer has to deal with.......almost as bad as me tryin to be a grade school teacher and molding little minds.......(shudder the thought)

Not that I'm a bad guy, but with all the offroad oilfield drivin I've done, well, I'm sure I have a few habits that might not be such a good idea passin on to a new driver......

The one thing I HAVE learned is that the minute you show up for orientation, 99% of what the recruiter tells ya goes right out the window......

As for previous employers and the paperwork from them, well, like I said I've done construction/oilfield since 05, and I think in all that time I MIGHT have got 2 maybe 3 w2's........So they better just take their word for it when they call........This being one of the major reasons Im so burned out on it....$22/hr plus overtime is REALLY nice when ya get a 60 hour paycheck, but most of the equipment is pretty wore out <03 being the NEWEST truck i ever drove> and the people are mostly kinda shady.......Like the last job I had just didn't pay for the last week on one job, and the last week on the other just plain bounced.....so there went like $2k.....

So as much as some people don't like this or that company, there are ALWAYS worse ones out there.......and as long as your checks clear and your truck will PASS a roadside DOT, then you're ALOT better off than most!!

So, as long as I can be 5 or 6 hundred miles further down the road when I go to sleep as when I woke up I'm a happy little meerkat......

 

Chas is so large, he should avoid any activity that requires no longer having direct contact with mother earth.

Now that's funny!!

 

And never has there been a more family and group oriented critter in the land!! Plus, we're pretty #### cute!! Oh, and we eat just about anything that moves and slithers about as well.....not JUST bugs......

Hopefully here sooner than later you will.......Just look for the little guy sittin on my dash......

I wonder if I could get one custom made for my hood......Rubber Duck style........

 

I would bet that they have like a 1000 + other people that came thru orientation to deal with now. It would be nice if they could get you into a decent truck so you can have a rider with you sense they are charging you for that every week.

Did you ever get anywhere with them under paying you for the miles you are running??

 

I did find out that I was underpaid and got it straight, finally. As for the decent truck, I think I've almost given up hope on that. Irving has plenty of auto shift petes. But a pete is too big for me and I detest the autoshift. Lexington said they don't have anything and I can't reach the springfield terminal half the time and when I do, the lady doesn't answer her line. Haven't called shippensburg yet.

 

RebelChick, call Ken Haynes in Tunnel Hill, If anybody can help it is Ken

 

Thanks. Will call Monday.