Trainer for US Xpress

Teaming after upgrade is probably true. US Xpress goes back and forth on that. You'll have to do 150 hours of training.

Get your hazmat, most dedicated accounts require it. You can get on one once you upgrade. It all depends on what's available. Most of the good ones rarely have openings.



Like Flood said, FedEx is a good one. Others I like are Amazon, Reefer, Ceva, UPS. UPS I heard pays .58 CPM.

 

I just upgraded last month, first 8 weeks as a hazmat team will be 18cpm each for all miles the truck runs, 16 if your co-driver does not have hazmat. Supposed to be $250 bonus and 24cpm after 8 weeks. Also, they were letting some go solo right after upgrade

 

Welcome to the party DPec

 

If you power brake the truck when docking or hooking it'll take a little of the bite out of it. That was the only way I could tolerate the auto.

Do they still chirp when they shift?

 

I really like my autoshift but it does have a clutch pedal. Makes it pretty sweet

 

just a FYI power breaking is very very VERY hard on the clutch

 

Just curious how USX treats its trainers and how your training program operates. I have been trying to compare where I am at to other similar carriers. I am somewhat at odds with my company as far as what I call the "reality" of training future solo drivers in the regions they will run and the day to day expectations. Not just teaming them from coast to coast and only bumping a dock at each end of a 40hr run. I do not feel that is realistic training for solo drivers. I made a proposal to my uppers and now train the Northeast SuperSolo and "finish" the students and second stagers at the end of the 2-4 mo program before they graduate to their own truck. I am asking this for comparison and to the benefit of our industry because I actually care. I view a trainer's role as a critical position and I owe it to all of us running the roads to prepare safe, efficient and professional drivers. I run for a company USX used to have stake in. I'll give you one guess, we're green and based out of Richmond and lease yard space from USX. I guess step brothers once removed...or maybe kissing cousins?!?!

As far as the Auto goes, I was surprised with Volvo's I-Drive. I have had a 2011, 2013, and now 2014...I found it smooth and manual downshifts via the button are immediate for pulling hills. The auto 2013 Cascadia I had as a loaner for a week was a different experience altogether. Didn't walk away impressed...but I agree the autos once they're wound up are a pain to stop especially in ice/snow. I was stuck in 12" of snow/ ice earlier this month delivering in Queens(a tight city street and you have to jackknife the truck to hit the dock) and because of no clutch, rocked the truck free finally in reverse, the drives caught traction on the curb and before I could jam the breaks I had put a nice hole in the passenger side fender/hood behind the headlight courtesy of one of the yellow dummy poles! If I had a manual I most likely could have brought it under control and prevented my embarrassment and a 5am call to our Safety director. I wasn't written up or charged for the damage as it was ruled a casualty of war at this customer and unavoidable due to conditions.
Anyway thanks for any input you all may have and safe travels!