COVENANT -- From a wife's perspective

Hello all.

This is a great thread. I spent the last three days reading through everything. I'm thinking of possibly getting my CDL and becoming an OTR driver at some point in the future. I found this thread while I was researching trucking companies and I was intrigued by the thread title.

Right now, I'm in Shanghai China, and I have been here for almost 3 years working as an ESL teacher. I'm thinking I might want a change as I'm getting burned out on teaching, and the market here is getting over-saturated with new teachers fresh off the plane.

Before I came here I was a taxi driver in Minneapolis, MN for 4 1/2 years. I really miss that job. I was an owner/op for the last couple of years and I was very comfortable. However I was too comfortable, and overly confident and had an accident as a result. After that, I decided to step away from driving for awhile and decided I wanted to travel.

I've always liked a challenge, I thrive on variety. I find myself relating to what has been reported about Redcoat. I tend to be a low profile person who doesn't like to rock the boat. I'm impressed with the support that has been given to Redcoat by the people on this forum. Most of all Redcoats wife, who is an excellant writer, along with a few others such as Aftershock. (Where is he BTW?) His advice seems to be extremely well though out.

So anyway, over & out for me, I'll stay tuned.

 

I understand..... that's why I like this Walmart dedicated division so much. They don't overload us (not as much as in the GP dedicated division). I always get about the same amount of miles (average 2500 miles per week).

Worked soooo much this past week moving all my things to the storage in Chattanooga. Not much any rest at all. But I am ready to go back on the road After all, I don't have much "personal life", family, any of that. So, I enjoy my life on the road... and on the weekends. In this Walmart division, we almost always get weekends off wherever we are n I unhook the trailer and go "enjoy" myself.

 

Hi rexit2! Welcome to the forum. All the best to U!

 

ShuX HowdY, Rexit2!
That first post of your's is gonna be a hard act to follow.

I thank you for the flowers and I agree with you that Mrs. Redcoat is an excellent writer. And, in case you haven't noticed, you ain't too shabby when it comes to writing either.
Very interesting post.
I'm looking forward to reading more posts penned by you.

Me?
I'm not around as much as I used to be, but I still check in from time to time just to read, ....... and post if time permits. I'm thinkin' a 30 hour day would provide me with enough time to do all the things I want to do.
But what are the odds that'll happen?

 

Hi Rocks and Aftershock.

I'm still doing a lot of research, My biggest concern recently is the general state of the economy for the "average Joe". The thing I like about trucking is that it seems to be a great measure of the "working class" economy. It's great to see people helping each other out, something that is discouraged among most people (that don't know each other personally) here in China.

Right now, I'm fortunate to have lots of free time, however at some point I need to get back to work and try to "put down roots" eventually. I'm glad to read that Rocks is happy with her choice, Hopefully Redcoat's experience is getting a little bit easier, as it seemed to be a rough start for him.

I guess the wise thing for me to do, would be to wait here for the economy to improve before making a move. It doesn't seem to be improving too much anywhere right now. Inflation is going to become a problem in the future I believe, and if wages don't increase, living standards will decrease for most people. I don't have unusually high standards though, the way Rocks is living would be suitable for me in the beginning. Something about not having to worry about rent, car expenses, and home time appeals to me.

As for a "hard act to follow" I'm just trying to follow the standard set by some posters here. Thanks for the compliments though.

 

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I quess no one read what I was writting before. When I was in Chatt I was told that the new trucks go to the trainers,then they go to the
teams and after they are totally reamed a solo or ded. gets it.
There is a line of seniority and prefference at covenant.As long as a driver gets a truck is all that matters,whether it's good mechanically or not is not on their minds, I had a truck that constantly broke down, they would keep me in hotels or off at chatt to fix it...yet they had lots of empty"s and new ones.They do not care, that is why I left them, I got offered a walmart ded account and I quit, you can't make money sitting at a hotel.
So when RC gets a truck he will be gratefull that it starts and rolls and doesn't breakdown in the worste places on the planet.But asking for a new truck is like asking Obama to legalize pot.....won't happen.

 

Hey, Ms RC and MCR, very nice to read your posts!! CONGRATULATIONS to RC for getting the GP account. Be prepared to run really hard. That's what I hear from drivers in that account. Be aware, some dispatchers in that account don't care whether you run legal or not... But he can get more home time than with Walmart account. In the Walmart account we have only one dispatcher (very nice guy) and one load planner (very nice too) and they don't expect us to run illegal. Nevertheless,like to run hard and push myself. Ran 3000 miles last week and this one will start with 1300 miles

About the trucks, MCR is right about who gets what. I have run 8 trucks at Covenant (so far). When I got the Walmart account, the dispatcher told me he would get me a truck (older than the one I was driving). But the one he put me in was in pretty bad shape. So, I told him truck is pretty bad... but he said that was all they had available. Ok, then I did a VERY GOOD, VERY THOROUGH truck inspection and made a BIG list of things to be fixed and gave to mechanic at shop. Mechanic said it would take at least 5 days to fix it. So, I told dispatcher and his answer was, "OH no! We can't wait that long..." and gave me three other trucks to check.... hahahah..... I pick one with less problems, didn't need to go through inspection bay. I fixed whatever I could by myself in one day at Chatt. Truck has been very good, running well, it goes 68 mph. Every time I go to Chatt or Houston and have time, I ask them to check this and/or that (just little things) to keep it in good shape.

BTW, MCR, how are you doing in your new company, job, etc?? (Just curiosity). All the best to you all.

 

Hi Rocks.......

Well I came back to Fl to go work for that owner op, but he turned out to be a flake. I have been unemployed since March. I just bought a van and I'm doing courier work for a company that has a contract with the county gov. So, I work 7 hrs a day and make more money than I did with Covenant.I have no regrets leaving them and not driving anymore, between working for such a "disconneceted" company, so many rules and regulations to keep you dancing on a thin wire,bad service and food at the truck stops,and the other endless headaches that come with that ***LIFESTYLE***. I am happy at home,I do as I wish,there honestly isn't that much glory left in the trucking field........
But for those that do feel that the road and that lifestyle suites you....KEEP ON TRUCKIN'! I quess it just got old for me after 20 + years of driving........
Best wishes to everyone...........
MCR&DEB

 

I understand where you come from MCR.... And I am glad for you, that you found something that suits you and you enjoy better.... As for me, I am still a rookie, and will be for a while.... Have lots to learn and I am still excited about this job and everything else that comes with it. I always liked to live on the road, since my early 20's. I don't mind the "discomfort" and other headaches. Maybe, after some years of doing this, I will get tired and go find something else, maybe.... but for now I am happy (even at Covenant....hahahah) The only thing I really detest in this business are the federal rules and regulations, specially HOS Anyway, I want to be self-employed again, owner operator maybe, but will wait at least one more year, get more experience learn the "tricks of the trade", save more money and see what happens .... Best wishes to you all (And keep posting).