Silenteagle's thread of experience

silenteagle · Nov 8, 2013

My original thread: http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/prime/158953-class-starting-25-oct-11-a.html was just a little ambiguous. When I named it I was hoping to document my class's experience by keeping in touch with classmates. Most of them have gone by the wayside moving on to better things, or quitting for various reasons. Every day is a learning experience and I would like to share some of the more important lessons that I have experienced throughout my driving and training career. I look forward to reading this someday and enjoying the folly of reading my "words of wisdom".

silenteagle · Nov 8, 2013

silenteagle said: ↑

Posted this in another forum, but want it to be up front here.

I have taken the evening to read through the posts. I am impressed that we have grown-ups here with level headed and intelligent conversations. Speaks volumes of the Prime drivers. After reading the website and talking to Travis the recruiter, it was a no brainer to go with this company. Let me explain:
1. Any company that has high standards for entrance will have high standards of conduct throughout its organization. (I hope this is the case)
2. Prime must be confident of its traning program to offer it for a one year commitment. As a military instructor, I can say that this is a real challenge that is hard to meet in all cases. (some just aren't cut out for the job)
3. I have had several calls from the recruiter asking if everything was good to go for Monday.
4. New trucks, WOW!!!! I was briefed on the truck types you can bring, and when they said 2007 or newer that get 6mpg, I was very impressed.

The list goes on and on, and I am a pragmatist when it comes to good things. I always look at deeds, not words. As a 20 year Army retired vet, I have some expectations from the organization I work for that I will not compromize. Reading the many many posts here and elsewhere make me comfortable in my decision to jump aboard. Lucky for me, Sprimgfield MO is just down the road.
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Looking back, I have found that alot of people missed this post.

silenteagle · Nov 8, 2013

silenteagle said: ↑

Sitting here at the 01 in Cali thinking about the past two months of driving. At this point in teaming, I can tell you that a 34 is a good idea once in a while. We have been balls to the wall for two weeks now and the fatigue is starting to show just a bit. I have employed my stress management techniques to combat this fatigue, but the fact that I am going through this kinda validates to me the need for the 34hr rule.
Some basic stress management things:
Eat regular meals. Your body needs nourishment and that twinkie is not.

Make sure you SLEEP. get your 8 hours as much as possible.

Regular Stops. I know some will disgree and want to drive 8hrs straight, but your body really does not function well in that situation, let alone day after day.

Drink water, at least a couple cups a day. Walk around the rest stop/truck stop to get that blood flowing again. You have no idea how much stress is on your heart and cardiovascular system when you sit for soooooo long.

Personal Hygiene. brush your teeth in the morning, take showers at least every other day, and change your underwear and socks daily. Use some baby wipes to clean those "areas" in between showers. (you know who you are ! ! !)

Trip planning. For those of you in TNT, you should have started learning this at about 15k miles. You need to learn how to plan your stops, manage your clocks, and get to the 90 on time. No sense in trying to figure this out when you upgrade to the A seat, cause you won't be sitting in it for long!
Choosing routes. If you havn't managed the routes you are taking, or if you are just following the route the trainer punched into the GPS (swear word) then you are not doing your J.O.B. as a trucker. Break out the Atlas, get on the qualcom, go through the route from front to back and write up your directions. You would be surprised how easy it is to miss the MANDATORY I210 around lake charles, LA because you didn't walk the route through during planning.
LEARN how to chain up. If you have never installed tire chains, take some time and have the instructor show you how. If all else fails, PM me and when we run into each other at Springmo, I will help you out. #### fine time to realize you don't know is along I40/70/80/90 that you don't know how to do this!
If you havn't done a few multi stops, you are missing some very important experience. If you havn't managed your clock down to the last 10 hours/getting 9:38 back at midnight to keep going, you are missing out.
Good habits on the Qualcom: If you are at 20K and are constantly going back to your log to fix your "on duty" time, or you get that message reminding you of your post trip, you are not taking your job seriously. one stop by DOT and you are SCREWED, even for the post trip. It takes about 30 days to develop a habit if you are working to make it a habit. Lots of habits to develop in that 30K to become a successful driver. Start with the ones that will get you in trouble with DOT and go on to the ones that will make you a successful and SAFE driver.
If you don't have all of your truck stop cards yet, GET THEM! Once you are on your own, using that T/A paper slip will be embarrassing.

I know I have not given a day by day rundown here, but I do hope that what I have posted helps everyone out. I will continue to post my upgrade experience next week and let everyone know the process that I go through.
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More experience from my training days...

silenteagle · Nov 8, 2013

silenteagle said: ↑

Back in Springfield for the Ace 1 class and the lease classes this week. On Monday we went through the Smith Systems class and the simulator test. If you have not gone through Smith Systems, I recommend it strongly. If you are in TnT right now, it might be a good idea to take the class if you have a day in SpringMo. We have classes through Wednesday, and Thursday will be the truck day with Success Leasing. Not many trucks out there, and the older trucks with an APU all smell horribly of smokers smoke in the cab. A new truck will not have the APU and the next APPT is March 9........ not good.

A lease is not for everyone, and if you have no sense how a business runs, might not be for you yet. There are people out there with amazing business knowledge that might be able to help with that side of the industry.

Last, but not least is the test. Yes, you have to take a take home test to get the lease. It is not hard, but it is a good reinforcement tool for lease and operators knowledge.

More to follow after the classes tomorrow on the business.......
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I have received alot of criticism for leasing. Half way through my lease and looking at the other side.

silenteagle · Nov 8, 2013

silenteagle said: ↑

The classes were very informative and helpful. I am becoming confident that I am going in the right direction. Of course, there are two guys in the class that "know it all" and seem to speek up way too much.

One thing, and I am not sure about this... Success Leasing guy comes in and makes it sound lik we have to settle for a used truck because they have too many used trucks to lease. I think he wanted people to consider taking a used truck for 3 months and then come back for a new one, but he made it sound like they were only going to make used ones available for lease. My FM wants me to take a new (or newer) truck because he has had alot of breakdowns the last 2 months with 09 and 10 models (both kinds). We will see where this swings
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Yes, I was getting nervous....

silenteagle · Nov 8, 2013

silenteagle said: ↑

I now understand why it takes a few days for new drivers to post a picture of their truck. Yesterday was a very hectic day. I got to go look at trucks, and the one I had looked at Monday was available, with this crazy repeating number 620620. Brand spanking new with 43 miles on it and the new car smell as well. I took it. Found out a few things during my adventure:
1. APU's take a while to get put on. They are backlogged. Got to figure out how to live without idling. No problem, lots of blankets.
2. You can get the inverter installed, just pick it up at the parts window and get Detail shop to install it if you can get an appointment. Parts guy says it will cost you $130 for the inverter. It comes with the APU, so why am I being charged. Frank Ege tells me that I will be charged and then reimbursed. Not sure when, but hopefully when the APU is installed. Good to go.... The detail shop is the bomb!!!!
3. Repairs take lots of time. I had a couple sticky buttons and the guy says "I'll have it done by morning"... hehe... Once again, DETAIL SHOP is the bomb. they cleaned up the buttons for me and got me rolling.
4. License plate.... not installed. I can't see the holes in the bumper and have no screws (in more than one way by now) but the DETAIL SHOP guy hooks me up in about 2 minutes.
5. Signing the lease. Lots of signatures, for you AND your FM!!!!
6. Getting all of that crap you need on the truck.......
ATLAS - ABLOY LOCKS - AIR CUFF LOCK - LOAD LOCKS - TIRE CHAINS - TIRE CABLES - COMDATA CHECKS - SPARE SEALS - FUEL BOOK - PERMITS BOOK - INSTALL PREPASS AND EZPASS - FORGOT THE BRIGHT YELLOW VEST - TIRE PRESSURE GAUGE - THERMOMETER - GPS (HEHE) - TRIP SHEETS - LOG BOOK - AND THE LIST GOES ON AND ON AND ON.

By this time I am spent, I get a load to Auburn Indiana WMDC that delivers SATURDAY..... 595 miles and 2.5 days to get there! Home is on the way and I stop and spend the day with the wife buying even more stuff.... MICROWAVE - COOLER - FOOD - SPARE LIGHT BULBS - SPARE FUSES and the list goes on and on and on. Picked up a small assortment of tools and a tool bag from the garage.... and forgot the push broom handle. Got the broom, but no handle oh well. The truck rolls, the rain starts and now I am sitting for my 10 in east ST louis with 385 miles left for a 1630 appt tomorrow Flying J Pizza ! ! ! ! !
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All good reasons I am staying in ONE truck ! ! !

silenteagle · Nov 8, 2013

silenteagle said: ↑

Just decided to update my experience as a new driver. Man the FREEDOM is overwhelming. I am on a tight delivery, but in the process have learned that there are not 24 hours in a truckers day, but 21. (if you use them all) Left Noel MO at 0900 on Thursday and have worked my 10/11 split back so that I left Ft Bridger at 0200 today, and will leave Mill City NV at midnight. If you run hard, you can work yourself back two hours a day at least.

In forecasting fuel, I stopped and put $20 of fuel in just 20 miles from my night stop. Being a new truck, I wasn't sure how far I could push her when the needle was on "E" so I took precautions. Now I know when she is on "E" it only takes 165 gallons to fill up the tanks, which leaves a little more than I thought in there. Safety being the issue, I will forecast for 6.0 MPG from Lincoln to SLC next time. I have also discovered that I only get about 2000 miles from a tank of DEF. Now I can better plan my fuel stops and forecast my DEF usage.

Being a lease operator, it matters where the fuel bill falls. If you buy too much fuel on this job, your check for this week will be small, as your $$$ is all in the tanks. If you forecast correctly, you pay for what you need, and use just what you pay for. The fuel for the next job should be purchased once you are on the next job. Momma will be very unhappy if her bill money is still in your fuel tanks
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Still enjoying the freedom, but now I have a business credit card for these days....

blairandgretchen · Nov 8, 2013

Well, if you survive 2 years buying a truck for them AND paying your own bills then hats off to you.
What kind of 60 day average are you running for fuel mileage?

silenteagle · Nov 8, 2013

blairandgretchen said: ↑

Well, if you survive 2 years buying a truck for them AND paying your own bills then hats off to you.
What kind of 60 day average are you running for fuel mileage?
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Not buying a truck for them, I am buying the truck for ME!!! (I will own it once it is paid off, just like everyone else buying a truck) My 60 day avg right now is 8.25.

silenteagle · Nov 8, 2013

silenteagle said: ↑

Today was a big decision day. This freedom and independence is gonna give me grey hair. Here goes... I was in Wells, NV deciding whether to go north into idaho on the little road (us93) or go into SLC and then up I15. I really wanted to stop at SLC and get some fried rice and a truck wash. after thinking it out and checking out the extra mileage (about 100 miles) I decided to bypass SLC and head straight north. Good decision, as I got a good tailwind so far. pumped my MPG up to 7.15 and got 8.3 for that leg of the trip. The QC directions had me going up 191 and us20 through or near yellowstone park up some small roads. I did decide to swollow those 45 miles and go up I15 to I90.

Now it is up to billings where I will have to decide how much fuel to buy. Weather, headwinds, and hills will have alot to do with that decision. More to follow.
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Just transferring some pertinent info to my story....

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