Advice for an Intermodal Virgin?

You have to assume that the container is loaded poorly to begin with. If the box looks like it is leaning at the rail, don't take it since it might have a load shift.

 

i only worked one month in the rails. but i didnt understand how to do a lift. i asked one guy where i assumed that was the lift area and he told me no i cant a chassis swap on my hub group box. im like ok so i just ran with it. had an airleak. but anyways , this is what worries me about going back i have no idea on how to do anything. the company i was with didnt help me with anything

 

Pull over the spotters and ask.....Never, EVER, leave the rail with an unsafe chassis or container....EVER......if the co., dispatch or anyone else doesnt like it...#### em!!!!

 

Tomorrow I start driver orientation for an intermodal company. Looking forward to it. The company fleet is International ProStar day cabs with Eaton 10 speed. From surfing in this forum and others there are varied opinions on that truck tractor. This I know...I only have to drive them and do the pre/post trip inspection.... Looking forward to my driving career kicking off!!!!

 

If it were only that easy! [emoji13]

 

Ohhh...I know it ain't gonna be easy...but I'm a 24 year Navy Vet that's worked on carrier flight decks. When I retired in 1996 I was the Flight Deck Coordinator responsible for the maintenance of 6 aircraft and the maintenance effort of 75 people! I know pressure! If I can do that...I can do this. I accept the challenge...looking forward too it!

 

I wish everybody had your point of view on this issue....

 

My training started last week. I have a great trainer and he's really preparing me for the task hauling intermodal. Intermodal trucking really puts you to the test. Lot's of city driving, and sometimes long waits at the rail yards. It demands flexibility and I'm really liking it.

I'm going to do this a couple of years before going OTR.

 

All this great advice and it seems the op is long gone? Maybe he went back to crst cause y'all scared him?

 

Hey guys , Just my 2 cents thrown in here,
I was doing refer loads from Atlanta to Denver two years ago getting about 2800 miles to 3200 miles week. I liked it except for all the 4.00 a.m.
appointments at the grocery warehouses and 3 drop appointments in one day, sometimes up to 4 hours getting unloaded.
but hey that's trucking right. good money and home most week ends.

My truck owner made a change Now I am pulling containers to Gulfport, Mississippi and New Orleans, LA and Panama city FL ports of entry..
TWIC card required.

I love it, Most times only takes 1 to 2 hours in port to get dropped and hooked or knocked down (container swapped to the next one)
and I am on my way to the next destination.
and once I get there. another drop and hook at shipper and back to port usually about 800 miles or more round trip. 800 X.31 cpm=$248.00 a day or so.
Driving around 3800 miles to even 4200 miles a week.
It is really doing some trucking but ... 4200 X .31 cpm =$1302.00 a week makes me a pretty happy trucker. Good Luck Sir. Sincerely.

Yea I not getting rich but its a good pay check and Home every week end cause ports are closed.