System Transport - Spokane, WA

For those of you asking that I name the company, I plan on doing so when I have my own truck and am no longer on probationary status. (That's going to be 3 weeks or so). Until then, I'm using the figleaf of anonymity so I can be honest, while not putting myself in a bad position in case someone reads this and decides to retaliate. Right now as a new trainee driver, I consider myself on thin ice.

End of week 4 driving for System Transport.
Started out the week with a quick run to Portland, OR, then off for a very fast re-route for another p/u 50 miles away, a drop on the way to the yard and an early-AM hookup to a preload for Edmonton, AB.
Did almost no driving from Wed. AM on.

Trainer wanted to drive so I let him. He used me on the last legs here and there since he was running out of hours/stamina. Doesn't bother me. I know how to drive. I know it, he knows it, sat back, got some nice naps in, enjoyed the audiobooks and had time to appreciate the scenery, which is simply spectacular between Idaho and AB.

Got a level 3 (right terminology?) inspection courtesy of the Idaho State Patrol. Wow, really glad I was passenger, is all I can say.

It was a full-on, top-to bottom inspection. We were hauling an over-size on an RGN trailer that frankly, has seen better days. I pre-tripped this badboy myself (I'm anal about pre-trips) and there was not a THING wrong 3 hours before this inspection.

He wrote us up a fix-it order (not a citation) for a broken lic. plate light, audible airleak on the tractor and a missing ABS light.

Go back and check the lic. plate light, works fine. Go get the guy, he removes that from the order. We get up the road a bit and double and triple check for the leak (which wasn't audible in the first place unless someone depressed the service brakes and ANOTHER person crawled under the trailer) -Explain how this is a driver-level issue on a truck that passes the airleak test in-cab???? Turns out this idiot wrote us up for the leveling valve on the airbags which are SUPPOSED to make a little hiss when you're parked at an off-kilter anlge on a shoulder. As for the ABS light? IT NEVER HAD ONE. We checked the DOT inspection records. The trailer was NEVER equipped with one. Talked to safety at System Transport. NOT CHARGEABLE TO DRIVER. Quarterly safety bonus still intact.

Talked to my trainer. He's going to kick me loose a couple of weeks early. I can back fine. I back SLOW, but I back WELL. Slow is fine with me, since that's 90% of all incidents, an extra 2 minutes is no skin off my nose. Had one jerk honk at me to hurry up at a truck stop as I was doing a 90 between two parked trucks. #### him,he can wait. I nailed it, no pullups, straight like a razor. He had to wait on me for 30 seconds, too darn bad for him.

Driving is a total non-issue, managing sleep can be challenging, but that's also doable, if you're smart enough to set boundaries and communicate with your dispatcher. Load securement can sometimes be a head-scratcher, but it's not rocket science. I'm pretty confident on anything I've done, and I can figure out new challenges. If in doubt, use the phone, ask some questions. Paperwork and the quallcomm are down pat. I'm, a little slow getting it all done right, but that's to be expected from a noob.

Basically I'm ready to be on my own. The next two weeks I'm basically going to be soloing with my trainer there as a backstop if I get something wrong. I'm happy with this. I enjoy the job. The company seems to be above average. Got off today about 1230, we'll be on the road again at 2AM Tuesday. Going to enjoy some much needed home-time with the family for the first time in 5 weeks tomorrow thru Monday AM, then back to town and catch some zzzs before we take off.

 

Pro-tips (If you can't see the irony, you aren't looking) for new/trainee drivers:
1. The truck is your trainer's HOUSE. You are a GUEST. His house, his rules. Don't complain, deal with it or get another trainer.
2. Pack LIGHT. 3-4 pairs work pants, 7 underwear and socks, 7 shirts, toilet kit, small duffle for dirty laundry/shower, 1 towel&washcloth,backpack for your laptop, FMCSR book, extra pens, paper logbook, and SLIPPERS for driving/going potty at 3AM, pair of sweatpants/jammy bottoms for sleeping/running into the truckstop in the early AM
3. ASK QUESTIONS. ESPECIALLY "stupid" ones. Your trainer is there to TEACH you. If he gets mad at you for asking, get another trainer, or ignore it and ASK ANYWAY, even if it's the same questions 5 times. He gets PAID to train you. Make him earn his money.
4. Insist on doing every job on the truck you know how to do. Pre-trips, cleaning windows, backing, and expand on that as your skills increase. My trainer has never had to raise/lower landing gear, do a pre-trip/post-trip, wash a window or fill a gas-tank, or hook-up/uncouple. You learn by DOING, not by watching. If you're 50% confident, ask to do it. He'll fix it if you're wrong and show you how you got it wrong. You learn from mistakes more than anything.
5. Don't get into discussions about religion/sex/politics unless you're able to keep your mouth shut NO MATTER WHAT. He's entitled to his silly ideas, and YOU were the one stupid enough to bring it up. Nod your head and be quiet if you really disagree.
6. You're not SUPPOSED to know WTF you are doing. That's why you're with a trainer. Tell him you're freaked out by XXX so he knows where you need work. I was physically really challenged by this job (flatbedding) so I asked on day one, PLEASE let me do anything where I'll have to have to work muscles.
7.Watch how your trainer deals with dispatch. You'll know if he's unhappy. Ask him about it. Think about how you might deal with it differently. If you have a good enough relationship, share your ideas in a NON-CRITICAL way. You'll learn a LOT.
8. If your trainer isn't letting you drive, complain. LOUDLY. Seriously, you NEED this experience. I was a good driver out of school. 5000 miles+ later I'm a lot BETTER. Use EVERY opportunity to back up, even if he's driving, ask to do the backing. This is a critical skill and there is NO substitute for real-world experience.

Hope all those things help. I wish I would have had this list on day one.

 

Another week Driving for System Transport.
Yes, I'm revealing the company name early. I will be amending previous posts as well.

It was a boring week with about 20 hours of sitting either in the yard or at customer sites loading. Also the same roads between Seattle and Spokane, WA, several times.

Insisted on tarping by myself. I'm a little guy and those 90-lb. tarps just kick my butt. We've only tarped three times (as of yesterday) and I barely know what I'm doing, not to mention the whole lifting 2/3 of my body weight, but God bless my trainer, he was patient and let me do it, even though I'm slow. He was very encouraging. He knows how hard this is for me and like a good coach, told me what I was doing RIGHT, rather than concentrating on what I did wrong. He corrected a couple of noob mistakes, but I know how to do it. Muscles are building. I'm already a lot stronger than I was 5 weeks ago. I'll just get better at this as time goes on. I don't think I'm ever going to think of tarping as EASY, but I can foresee a time when I don't dread it.

I cannot stress enough for new guys with a trainer: If you think you know how to do something, DO IT ALONE with your trainer as a backstop. He won't be there forever and you need to be competent WITHOUT help. Watching and helping only does so much.

Driving I have down. Fully loaded in rush-hour Seattle traffic multiple times, some very tight maneuvering situations and some backing that was basically a long (500 yard) snaking offset/45/90, no prob. Still a little scary, but I know what I;m doing. And hey, sometimes a little bit of fear is a GOOD thing.

Had a HILARIOUS "brake problem" this week. Basically, I released the brakes, moved the sliding duals from spread-axle. Everything's good, except the rear trailer brakes are dragging. Trainer goes back and fights with the slack adjusters in 100-degree weather for 50 minutes, then slaps his forehead and checks the air release on the axles... yep, just weren't properly set back. Complete waste of time, effort, sweat and some blood. We both laughed like hyenas because it was so obvious and STUPID. But, no harm done and I learned a valuable lesson.

Learned another one about 45 minutes later when we both realized we were seriously dehydrated, which made for a miserable rest of the day being dog tired and frankly, sleep is the only cure for dehydration (other than water) because you've burned your body out so bad there's no other way to recover. We both knew better, but the heat snuck up on us. Again, lesson learned. Rather pee in a bottle than feel as awful as I did Friday from the effects of dehydration.

This will be my last week with a trainer. I'm soloing this week, with the trainer there as nothing more than a logbook and a question answerer. He's set up a very challenging schedule for Sun, Mon, Tuesday. It will be up to me to meet the deadlines, including three stops with an un-tarp, re-tarp at every stop on a load that's as high as the top of the cab with no ladders and poor handholds for climbing. (At least if you're 51. At 26, my trainer's age, it would be effortless. but I don't bend or bounce as well as i used to.)

I have stayed in a Hotel room, paid for by the company, every weekend since I live 200+ miles from the terminal where we spend Fri/Sat nights. I've never had an argument over it either. Really, I cannot imagine a better training experience. We're cutting it close on training time. Part of me wants the normal extra 2-weeks with a trainer, part of me can't wait to get the ##### off this truck with another guy.

Looks like I'm going to be working on the Pole Fleet, which is long-haul utility poles, over-length. It pays better than standard OTR and I have no issues with long loads. It's WIDE loads that I hate because I can't see behind me enough to be comfy. It also pays a bit more, which is always nice.

Can't say enough good things about System as a place to work. The other drivers are friendly, VERY interested in helping a noob learn and generally great folks. Trainer has been awesome, office people have been a joy, other than one dispatcher, but hey, that's going to be anywhere.

This is a completely new experience for me. I've been a reporter, a computer systems engineer, a repo agency manager, a consultant, but this is my first time as an adult (outside of the military) working (as a career, not as a stopgap) in a blue-collar field. Just a totally different experience for me. My daddy would be so proud of me for doing what I needed to do and making things happen. My mother (delusions of grandeur) would be horrified, but then again, I kinda like that. The old biddy was mean and narrow-minded til the day she died.

This is a life I don't think one in 1000 people begin to grasp in it's complexity, it's difficulty and it's commitment. Most folks probably couldn't do what I'm doing now. Either the loneliness, the physical nature of the work or the hours would make them quit in a week. And yet, America would fall apart without guys and gals like me, doing what I'm doing.

I know all you experienced folks already know everything about that, but I thought it might be helpful for some other hapless noob.

Another week in a whole new adventure in my life. I started on Feb 16 after 13 years as a stay at-home Dad/Househusband in school. Wow, what a journey it's been. I can only pray it continues to be this interesting.

 

Thanks for the encouragement. I will have a week of "upgrade" training once my trainer kicks me out of his truck, then I'm on my own. Not scared to admit it's intimidating. Ya, I know how to do everything, but working without a net is scary too. One of the things I'd hoped to do wit this diary was to be honest, especially about the stuff that's scary to me. I know I'm not the only one out there intimidated as Heck by this whole process. If I can do it, ANYONE can. I LIKE that I can always ASK for another two weeks, no questions asked, but I can't imagine that I'll do it. I'm still in the stage of "OMG I'm going to do all this ALONE!!!!!" Which is really intimidating to me. I KNOW how much I DON'T know. I'm also acutely aware of how much harm I can do with an inattentive moment, which perhaps adds unnecessarily to the fear. Mostly scared by an improper securement and killing someone from my own laziness/stupidity. The responsibility involved in this job is truly awesome. I had not the slightest idea 8 weeks ago, now I do. And that responsibility weighs on me. In a month or two it will be ho-hum. For the moment, it's somewhat terrifying. I don't think I can possibly be alone in that feeling.

 

Week 6 Systems Transport:

Well, this was my last week with my trainer.
Started out Sunday morning at 1130 and backed into the pitch-black, unlit parking lot at 0116 after some 650-odd miles. Looong day of driving. Fortunately I got past all of Canada 3 and CrowsNest Pass before dark. Not a fun drive in the dark. Also had my first experience of a top-heavy load on a curvy road. It cost me a lot of speed, as even taking non-posted curves at 100% of the speed limit was a bit much in a lot of places. Good to know though. Had another top-heavy load later in the week, so the experience served me very well.

Almost all this week was tarped loads. Good news: I can lift that puppy, put it up on the load and roll it up again. I'll be fine solo. Bad news: it still kicks my butt. Again, did most of it by myself both to continue building muscle and getting the practice. I find rolling them up to be more work than anything else.

Also FINALLY got a vehicle load. Loaded up three machines at two stops for a couple of different drops. REALLY glad I got the opportunity. I'd been looking at every vehicle load chaining I got the chance to for weeks, but this was my first chance to actually do one.

Also got my first chance to back up to a loading dock, which is a lot harder than I thought it would be. Usually I back up fine with maybe a single pullup. The loading dock I had to 90 into and it took three pullups to get it right. Mostly just a matter of really knowing where to put the back of the trailer. did it twice more on that run and by #3 it was easy-peasy.

I'm really glad to off that truck. My trainer is a Heck of a nice guy and we get along, but hey, it's closer quarters than working on a submarine. I don't like ANYONE that much. Parting ways was actually bitter-sweet. He taught me a lot and did his best to be a friend. I know it was weird for him training a guy older than his dad. I appreciate the heck out of the guy and I'll miss the easy camaraderie we established. -But not THAT much!

This week will be "upgrade training" which I'm not really grasping. I guess it's some load securement tests and another driving test, beyond that I'm not sure. Looking forward to getting my own truck on Friday or thereabouts.

Overall it was a great week. Drove something like 2600 miles, which, on a regional route is a lot. Got a lot of loads in, delivered early, picked up early, did some new things. So far, so good. By God, I'm starting to feel like I might actually know what I'm doing out there. -Peace

 

Two 1/2 weeks now in my own truck. Driving a 2014 Kenworth T800, which is a lot different in terms of handling, power and sleeper space than the t660 I trained in. No real complaints, though I'm not a fan of PACCAR. It's just gutless on the hills if you're hauling any real weight.

So far I've done a run from Spokane to LA, which absolutely sucked. (4 stops on a tarped load, 90+ degrees and no access to showers or even a sink.) Picked up a tarped load in Ontario, CA, (tarping in 109-degree sun on a tarmac was not fun!) drove it to to Kent, WA, then picked up a load in Moses Lake, WA and took it to Victoria, TX. Picked up a load in Laredo, TX which I'm delivering tomorrow in Montana.

Right now I'm slow at loading because every load but one has been significantly different than anything I've done before. I'm slow figuring out securement and probably using a lot more than necessary, but better too much than not enough. If I've done it before, I can do it fast but the new (to me) odd-shaped loads take some thought. Also finding that I move a lot slower after 4+ hours on the road. Had a tarped dropoff and pickup that took stupid long because I was just plain tired before I started.

Also learning to take better care of my eating habits. Making sure I get proper food helps. Showing up to load after 5 hours on, with nothing but a roll for breakfast and nothing since is a BAD idea. But it's easy to get in too much of a hurry. Learning pacing, time-management and all the rest. It gets a little better and a little easier every day and I'm finding I make fewer mistakes as time goes on. First run I made TONS. This last week I made One. Every load, every day on the road I learn something new and get a little better at my new trade.
















My dispatchers have been awesome. Very helpful, great loads money-wise, understanding of new-driver mistakes. Right now I'm hanging out in Wyoming because I only have 3.75 hours today. Still learning how to pace myself.

Last night I had a nice steak dinner, flirted with the PYT waitress, people-watched and generally had a nice, relaxing evening. Was great to go someplace NOT a truck stop for dinner.
About to head over to the walmart and pick up some odds n ends, drive my 3 hours and call it an early day.

No complaints at all about System.