Best way to move forward?

Thanks, friend, I'll check them out. Be safe.

 

I got my toe back in the water with Swift a few years ago. I did two years of dry van, then left them to run flatbed for the oil field out of OKC. Nothing wrong with Swift as a start IMHO.

Out of Kalispell there should be plenty of work in the wood products and farming industries. As was noted earlier, your BEST bet is to start finding small local trucking companies. Make phone calls and knock on doors.

Get your Hazmat and your FAST card to run into Canada. Everything you add to that CDL adds value for your paycheck.

Edited to add: CALLING @Chinatown !!!

 

There are a few companies hauling beets or head a little east work the oil patch.

 

I have to head to Spokane or Great Falls for the DHS BG ck, but, I just happen to have time to do that now! I'll get that done this week.

I've already started studying for the HM test, it's not very intimidating.

Thanks..

 

I think most of the beets are down by Billings.

I'll head for the patch if I can't scrape together something local or Regional. Good tip, I hadn't thought of that. It would be good for some experience. Thanks.

 

I got a buddy who is no longer employed at the same place I am. Hard on equipment and hit to many things. Got a job swinging dead animals and delivering to the rendering plant. 900.00 a week and home every night.

Said it wasn't bad this winter. Been dry heaving a little now that it's warm.

There is always a job for a guy with a valid cdl.

 

That may change. Im not sure exactly where we are on regulating.

 

You only need two numbers on the RPM gauge.

When you run out your gear at high horse and she is pulling ### off, it's time to upshift That is your high horse number call it 1600 for this post.

If you have hit a hill and the rpms drop enough to make her buck and lug it's time to drop a gear before you get that far down too much. Call it 1250.

Take the power off with clutch (Not all the way in...) and get out of gear. Wait a few beats of heart and be in the next gear quickly. If you are downshifting, you have to slap the hammer to kick her RPM's up to match the next gear down you are going to.

And that's it. Two little numbers. Anywhere out of that range you grind, scratch, miss gears etc.

 

As for DAC/Hireright (pretty much interchangeable,right?,) I don't know how worried I should be.

For the most part, I did a pretty kick ### job for Schwift.

I had one "service failure" in about my third week solo, was late for a delivery appointment, which I attribute to my not yet fully understanding my job completely, but yes, it's on me.

Other than that, I don't think I have much to worry about. I gave notice when I left and didn't abandon or damage equipment or anything.

 

My biggest problem with shifting was remembering to use only that top 1-1/2" of clutch. Other than that, I did pretty well with it.

I know that if I'm in a full manual, I'll have it down in a few days.

I've never had problems with machines, heck, my first job in high school I had a chauffeurs license and did deliveries and ran forklifts for WBC. After that, I did utility relief in the Plum Creek sawmill and planer.

I was an industrial maintenance mechanic/electrician for 6+ years.

I get along with machines better than most people I know.