Starting orientation/training next week CT Transportation

Well, the second week of OTR training has come to an end. It was a blast. Got my first taste of mountain driving on I-77 and through WV. I know that there are stretches of highway with steeper grades, but for a guy on the mountain roads for the very first time I felt I did very well!

Something that has been touched on before, but CT advertises that they are SE region in their maps and brochures, but this week we picked up a load in Mt Holly, NC and delivered in at State College, PA. Afterwards we went to Pittsburgh, then up to Gypsum, OH and back down to NC and returned to Savannah. I will admit it, I was stoked to get out there and haul.

Truck stops are interesting. I have met some good guys out there (girls as well) and some very "off" people too. Typically we are getting into the truck stops early enough to find a place to park, but sometimes when we get up there is a driver that has parked on the curb and makes it really interesting to get out of a spot when you are turning a spread axle. Just take it slowly and if you have too..wake the driver up and ask them to move to give you room. They are the ones parked illegally and you could offer your spot to them.

I have one more week of OTR and then I get my driving test from the company and then I am on my own. I am a bit nervous to be honest. I have always had someone with a lot of experience in the passenger seat offering advise and constructive criticism and soon it will all be gone. Uh oh!

Micah
"Chief"

 

Great! No, the have not put the new trucks on the road yet. They are still working out the details. I finished up my final test and I am suppose to be picking up my truck this Monday...that is if I can get a ride from the Savannah terminal to Atlanta. It is an older truck, but should be out of it once the new trucks hit the highways. Let me know who your trainer is. The trainers I had were great and very helpful. Good luck and be safe.

Micah
"Chief"

 

Well, I was suppose to pick up my truck in Atlanta today and the delivery ran over and when we contacted the dispatcher about it, things changed. It happens. Apparently, a driver left CT and is not returning his truck and I am getting this 2011 Mid-Roof Mack. We are going to the address provided and picking it up around 8am tomorrow. So, I was suppose to get one of the oldest trucks and now I'm ending up getting a new one. "Newer" at least. Super excited about that, but it is overwhelming. It has a load on it and I'm going to take a short drive up the road to drop the load. So, tomorrow will be my big day. Be safe out there; I will sure be trying too!



Micah
'Chief'

 

Well, my first week on my own included getting a nice tractor that needed to be serviced, then learned a steer tire had a slow leak in it, so now I have two new steers. A drive tire that needs to be replaced due to a slow leak and the shop decided it was a valve stem issue...guess what folks, that's not it. Picked up a load (drop and hook), late yesterday afternoon and it has a bad corner marker on it, so in the shop for an hour to have it replaced. Left early this morning to have a trailer tire blow and now I am home for the weekend to try and get the load there on Monday morning. All and all, fun and interesting week!

 

I can't help you there. I haven't received anough checks to give a solid account. I will say that this is becoming the slower period, so checks will be a bit smaller. I was going to go with Maverick also, great equipment, however I live outside of their hiring zone. I did have a guy in my orientation class that left Maverick and came to CT because of the frequencies of home visits (or lack there of). I have no first hand knowledge of this, just his word. I have enjoyed my time thus far.

 

I did 20 in the Navy, so we had an advantage, use to maximizing tight spaces and being away from home for periods of time. As for the equipment...to be honest, it is not the best out there. The trailers are hit and miss. The tractors are suppose to be getting upgraded, but when is the question. I keep mine cleaned; inside and out. I do my PTIs thoroughly to make sure things are in working order. The loads are all over, if you go OTR, then you will pick up an drop off all over. Ask whatever you want, I will provide the most honest answer I can.