Another New Guy...

hi bam87...I am also a new CDL holder, yesterday first day orientation with May trucking, out of Layton UT office...ain't life sweet? hee-hee

 

everybody very nice, calm and happy...last week I kinda got jerked around by Werner during orientation and May seems much more relaxed and sensible...I am pleased so far

 

I did good on my road test (as expected, I tend not to choke) except at the very end on the backing test, I lined it up real good right away but didn't bother to get out and look and there was a skinny candle-style cone in the pocket that I touched...still I seem hired

 

Welcome to trucking, hero!
I have big respect for you. My trainer was a vet and a great guy.
Hope you like it at MAY and if not, just stay with them at least for one year!
Good luck to you, and to you, wolfcake, also!

 

I'll ask them tomorrow about taking the truck home, it hasn't come up yet in orientation...good question though...

 

Hello SGT.
I am Arthur Netteler. I have been inside of Semi-Trucks since I was 2yo (1954). And driving trucks since I was 12. First Semi-Truck Job I was 17, they thought I was 18! That was way back in 1970. I retired from J.B. Hunt on October 31, 2007. But continued to run (unofficial) team with a lifelong friend until the week before we moved to the Philippines on June 11, 2009. We are involved in Trucking here and my wife Ana and I do the GPS/Satellite Tracking and Emergency Response for 32 Semi's and 4 Bunker Tankers (straight truck tankers). I manage the PM scedules and HEAVY Maintenance items for them.
There is no better job on earth, unless it would be that of a "Condom Test Pilot"... but I digress... never stop dreaming!! Trucking has slipped a bit in the past 20-25 years, from being a Knight of the Highway, to just a JOB for some. I have always tried to portray myself as the UPPER CLASS of the Motoring Public, no matter when or where it was. You can make good money on the road even today.
If you keep these three rules in your everyday thinking.... Rule #1... Always remember you have three bosses, no matter what you think of them there are three. First one and the MOST IMPORTANT BOSS... The Shipper, with out these guys there is no Trucking Business. And if you keep them smiling and always treat them with respect, you will NEVER have to worry about the other two Bosses. Second one of the three, the one you want to make friends with, the Receiver/Consignee. Even if you don't think you will ever be at their dock/yard again, try and make friends with them. Sometimes it is as easy as buying big box of Donuts or Cup Cakes, and just setting it on the Receivers desk or window when you walk in. In the nearly 40 years that I have been going to Receivers Desks I have yet to have one not have a smile before I left their site, they WILL remember you. And there might come a time that you REALLY need to get unloaded quickly or early. I have never been turned down by one of my regular stops. Have even had them call two guys back in to unload me the night my 16yo daughter was in a crash, so I could head to the house. And these guys are the ones that can make little notes on your Bills like, "nice guy", "send this Driver here again", and my favorite... "We just might HIRE this Driver"! Now the third Boss in the food chain... The guy/company you work for. No matter how much you mess up or how much you don't seem to be able to hang in there.. IF you keep the first two Bosses HAPPY you will never have to worry about what the People you work for are thinking. The high-ups in your Company will know you do a good job and will cover for you. They want HAPPY Customers, give them HAPPY Customers!! I only worried about my 3rd Boss when I was getting the Job... After that I only worried about the first two!!! At J.B. Hunt I run in the Automotive Dedicated Fleet for Chrysler. And, of the 29 Trucks on that board I was the ONLY one that was home 2 week nights and every Saturday and Sunday. Also I got 2 weeks off for Christmas, 3 weeks off to visit my wife's family in the Philippines (usually July). AND a NEW truck EVERY 18 months!!!! Even on my weeks off, my truck was parked in my driveway at our house. The others had to drop off their trucks at a yard so they could run Regional with them while the driver was on vacation! 35 years on the road, and no TICKETS, ACCIDENTS or CLAIMS in OVER THREE MILLION MILES! Will get you this kind of respect from a Company, Shippers and Receivers!!!
One more thing.... I used to drop off a 2# can of Folgers the week before Christmas to all the Scales that I regularly passed, even though J.B. has the "PrePass" System. Because they see my Truck Number when you go by at 55mph, on their readout screen. I want them to remember the Driver in that truck as a nice guy!!!
And again I hope you become one of us OLD TIMERS in the Profession... It can use a few good men!!!