CFI Question Thread

Discussion in 'CFI' started by Gin86, Jan 3, 2018.

  1. Gin86

    Gin86 Light Load Member

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    So after lurking in the background of the what's your 20 thread, and dabbled into small convo with rooster, I wanted to make a thread for questions on working at CFI. I've found mostly older posts so I figured let's update things and hear from drivers since it's been a while since transitioning back to CFI. Good stuff, negative stuff, let's hear it all. Us newbies need all the info we can get to make our decisions! Have questions yourself? Use this thread and ask away!

    What's a typical week mileage wise like? Are you forced to drive through dangerous weather? What happens if you're held up forever and a day at a shipper/receiver......do you lose your sleep and try to make it to the next stop in a timely manner without dying? How's your dispatchers and communication?

    If anyone has experience with their cdl training program, please tell us what you can about it. We'd rather hear the truth from a driver than possibly be lied too by a recruiter.

    Also, are they a no touch freight company or are you on your own to load/unload?
     
    Last edited: Jan 3, 2018
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  3. RoadRooster

    RoadRooster Road Train Member

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    Well where do I start...

    The talk about miles is kind of tricky. The reason is a bad week is usually followed by a good week and vice versa. So the best thing to do is look at your miles for the month. I tend to run very consistently at about ten Thousand Miles slightly over or slightly under. So yes, that averages out to 2,500 miles per week but don't get trapped in the weekly bind... Look at the month.

    Despite where dispatch wants you and when, if you get held up, you get held up it's that simple your clock will dictate the amount of rest you can get and your trainer will show you how to manage your clock.

    99% of our freight is no touch. In reality, it's probably higher than 99% because I know I haven't touched any Freight in my last hundred loads. I think I've done one unload on Tires and I've hauled dozens of Tire loads. I probably only done a couple of driver assists... Situations where they don't have a loading dock so they'll have a forklift on the ground, and put you in the truck with a pallet jack. Then you use a pallet jack to get the pallet to the tailgate and the forklift takes it from there.

    I'm not sure what you mean about Communications with dispatch, but it's a two-way street you talk to them they'll talk to you and I've had a good rapport with all my managers over the years.

    I hope this helps and I hope some of our other drivers kick in their 2 cents.
     
  4. RoadRooster

    RoadRooster Road Train Member

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    Oops I just realized, I forgot to answer the dangerous weather question.

    Company policy is to use your chains to get to a safe place, not to deliver or pick up a load. They further state that you are the captain of your ship you decide when to shut it down although I've had some knucklehead ask me why I'm not shut down.... And I've had other knuckleheads tell me the weather is fine go pick up the load please.

    My policy is don't ever chain up watch the weather forget all the people in dispatch when it comes to these types of decisions.

    If you lose traction you have to chain up, that means if you lose traction it's already too late.
     
  5. JLMooreKCMO

    JLMooreKCMO Light Load Member

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    Looks like I will be going to work for CFI as soon as I get sepperated from current company. I do have a question can you tell me where all of the terminals are?
     
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  6. RoadRooster

    RoadRooster Road Train Member

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    West Memphis, Joplin, Laredo, Wilmer/ Dallas, Taylor Michigan, Fontana CA, and KC MO, and a few drop yards around the country.
     
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  7. JLMooreKCMO

    JLMooreKCMO Light Load Member

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    Do you know if they have a drop yard near Carlisle/Harrisburg PA?

    Also, Are you allowed to take hometime somewhere other than where you live?
     
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  8. RoadRooster

    RoadRooster Road Train Member

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    No, but the truck stops in Carlisle could be a possibility for parking for a few days.

    Yes, as long as you have a place to park your truck.
     
  9. JLMooreKCMO

    JLMooreKCMO Light Load Member

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    My Mom lives at the Missouri Veterans Home in Warrensburg Mo. I have permission from director to park on their property.
     
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  10. lowgear14

    lowgear14 Medium Load Member

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    Hello Rooster, and everyone.
    Rooster, it's been a while, I recognize a familiar face. There maybe more on here, but Rooster popped up first. I don't mean to change the subject, but since we're talking about trucking, I thought I would give it a whirl. A big smile came on my face as I begin to talk about this miracle as God has done for me. I have faced battles with the Seal Team. I lived to tell about it. I told my brothers in the Seal Team, and they're blown away, and they keep saying you need to keep getting this out there, and I get this my new PLO, as we call it. I witnessed a miracle that happened to me. Even the team of doctors are puzzled. In July of 2017, I went to this church called the Miracle Life Center. I went there completely on my medication. Nobody could tell I had Parkinson's Disease. No one could tell it. You could really tell the Holy Spirit was definitely in the church. No doubt it. I have been to many of churches, but nothing like this. Then they got to me. I was thinking to myself. This should be interesting. The Apostle said, "The Holy Spirit wants you to come forward if you don't mind". I am thinking, "If in fact the Holy Spirit wants me to come forward. I will go forward. I have used all my brownie points with this man. I owe him a lot for my life for serving my country with the Seal Team". I went forward, and the Apostle was telling me that the Holy Spirit was telling him that I have a lot wrong with me. I thought okay let's see where this is going, you know being a critic. Then he said, "The Holy Spirit is telling me there's an 8 coming up, and he has this and don't you worry about it anymore, because he knows you've been worried about it". At this point, I am starting to get curious, I haven't even had a chance to tell my wife. My wife said, "Honey, what's coming up on the 8th. Do you have another appointment"? My wife knew my memory is starting to leave me some, because I always tell my wife everything. On the 8th of August, I went to this Movement Disorder Clinic that specializes in Parkinson's Disease. I went in that appointment, I couldn't hardly even function. While I was in there, the Lord got a hold of me, and my disease, and took care of everything. It's been over 5 months now since I had any medication. I have been cured from Parkinson's Disease. I am living proof miracles do happen. In December the 26th of 2017. I passed my DOT physical. I still have to take my written exam to get my CDL back. Since it has been so long, since I drove. I might have to go back with a trainer again. I am not sure yet on that part. I will check with other companies. One step at a time right now. I wanted to share that. If anyone has doubt in miracles. Please refer back to this. It has definitely changed my life. I have been going to different churches and giving my testimony about the miracle.
     
  11. RoadRooster

    RoadRooster Road Train Member

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    I'm speechless... that doesn't happen often. You were cured to accomplish some bigger mission. I know you will discover what that is if you haven't already. I also know you will excel at that mission.

    You made my day man. Stay in touch. Stay well.
     
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