ATS/school

BigDuker, so far I would say that I DO prefer the Volvo to the Freightliner Columbia's that I have driven. It just seems better built, and the interior is laid out better. Like I said, so far. I'll have to see how it pulls etc. to get a full picture. The cab is a lot bigger than any Pete I saw at the yard, but of course that may only be what ATS buys. I'm sure there are bigger sleepers. And I think all of the heavy haul trucks are Pete's, so that says something about the strength of Pete too. Anyhow, i'll report back. Just happy so far!

 

Well I got my first run on Wed. the 3rd. I had to run over to St. Cloud to pick up a trailer then headed out to Fargo for a load of tractor tires bound for Baltimore. East coast wasn't my first choice for a cherry breaking run, but it was going to happen eventually anyway! Sitting in Haggerstown right now, I'll probably stay here and pick up a reset. Can't deliver until Monday am. I know, I'm not breaking any speed records but I have the time on this run so I'm taking it where I can. Besides my 30lb copilot needs potty breaks more than me, she's still new to this too! I think i'll look harder for alt. routes next time, those tolls hurt! I followed the suggested route for this one, but as I learn the ropes, both of the company and the business, i'll start skipping all those I can. I have to say that I was pleased to get the time off I wanted for the Holiday. I got from the 21st to the 3rd. My son had a hockey tournament in Duluth so we made it a family thing since Dad had been gone since before Thanksgiving. I doubt this is normal so don't expect this if you call a recruiter. I now expect to be gone about three weeks then home for 3-4 days. The web site and other info. will tell you 1 day for each week but my trainer said you could take more once you establish yourself etc.. How many is probably dependant on you, your dispatcher etc, etc.. But again, ATS came through with what I was told. Talked to another co. driver while in St. Cloud and he had been here for a while and was happy and said I would be too. Time will tell but so far so good! Drive safe all and remember, if your going to be a statistic, be a good one!

 

Bigdaddy, if you would have asked me that before I started school I would have very quickly said "hell yes give me the big stuff". Now that i'm actually out here, I'll wait and see. Don't get me wrong, it still has it's appeal. It's just that I now see exactly how much I have to learn. I want to be better than just "average", I want to do it well, VERY well. It's just me. I have heard some drivers say that they make more with general freight, maybe maybe not. I'll find out with time, and experience. I did make my first solo delivery today at the port of Baltimore, Mid Atlantic Terminal. That was quite the experience! The place is nuts! It didn't help that I made a wrong turn and ended up in the wrong place, twice. Oh well, live and learn! There were a lot of very big loads going in and out, that was pretty cool. But it did also look like a pretty big hassle. I stood in line long enough with just tires! Can't imagine how long some of those loads take to get out. Not to mention HOW they get them out! Back in Haggerstown waiting for news on the next run. Oh yeah, #### those tolls suck! Cost me $114.50 total for this trip! I definetly need to learn how "alternate" I can make these trips if you know what I mean. I will be using different routes as soon as I learn the good ones etc..

 

Bigdaddy, we pay the tolls,ATS reimburses us on your check. You are allowed to get a cash advance from your fuel card, you are automatically allowed $175 a week. You can ask for more but that amount would need to be o.k.ed. I do wish they would go to the easypass. It seems to work so much easier. And I don't like having to carry that much cash if I don't have to. And $175 doesn't last long! But you probably already knew that!

 

Hey Bigdaddy, one more minor thing, you have to be logged as driving when a toll is paid. I know that sounds obvious but I guess some guys/gals forget that part when "catching up" their logs! Just for comparisons sake you may want to check out Maverick as well. They get pretty good marks here as well. And I believe that Notarps works there, so he could maybe tell you more of the specifics. Then at least you can compare ATS to something else. It is a big decision and the more info you have the better. Hope this helps. By the way, what makes you take up this profession?