Boyd bros for newbs.

Well it was kinda over before it began I guess. My BP was too high! I know why and figured it would be but I wanted to give it a try anyway. I figure it's just meant to be.

The first day of orientation was relatively boring but then most orientations are, especially if you have been through them before. It seemed to me that they were wasting alot of time.

The first day is spent filling out your employee packet which includes your application & signing off on some policy statements. Secondly, they get started on road tests, physicals, agility test, and interviews with recruiting & safety where they go over your application and verify everything. While your waiting your turn you are suppose to be completing your written dot test, smith system tests, and some reading on load securement. Today's class was one of the biggest so far this year so maybe that had something to do with it being so slow.

Pizza & Coke for lunch served at 1230.

Road tests - they basically tell you how they want you to drive their truck. You start in 3rd gear and get rolling then you shift to 4th. but no acceleration - you just shift.

Once your in fourth you can give it some acceleration - up to 1000 rpms and then shift to 5th. They are in the truck telling you when to shift, keep both hands on the wheel, stop with the front of your truck even with the stop sign, turn right, do this, do that. Once your on the high side 6th thru 10th you shift at 1250 rpms. They also tell you how to stop the truck. As an example they want you to leave the truck in gear and bog it down to 700 rpms before pushing in the clutch but don't take it out of gear until you come to a complete stop.

The physical is short and sweet. Eye exam, pulse, bp, identify the colors (red blue, green, etc). They do not check for a hernia, only ask if you have ever had one. There was no hearing test either. You better have all the right answers to cause they don't mess around when it comes to the physical. I would recommend bringing all your medical documents with you if you have any "conditions".

I didn't get to the agility test but it sounded similar to others that I had been through before from what the drivers that completed it were saying. I wasn't really worried about the agility test anyway - I've never had a problem with those.

Anyway, I hadn't quit my job yet - just took a little extra time off to give this a go. It will be back to the same ole boring grindstone at the office tomorrow for me. A part of me kinda wishes it would have worked out - I'm really not cut out for this office work and being stuck inside all day pushing a pencil.

Best of luck to those that made it and I hope everything works out!

 

Going to Boyd Jun. 28th, Had a delay in start date at school, but have my CDL in pocket and ready to embark on my new career! I did a lot of research of companies while waiting and Boyd is #1 as far as I can see with my limited experience. I wanted to start with a company I could stay with and not start my resume with job hopping entries after 6 months or a year. I talked to a couple of drivers at a QT truckstop here in GA., and checked out different forums and gotten only positive feedback from all (this forum definetly the most info!), so I hope to continue in a legacy of 1 Million Safe Mile drivers there and thank Trucker's Forum and all the forum contributors for their valuable insight and knowledge that helped in my decisions. I don't have a laptop but will post when I can as I go through my orient. and training.

 

I pray that I will soon be accepted to Boyd Bros. and look forward to seeing some of you on the road.

 

Hmmm.. I have been offered to come over to boyds.. They want me there on monday.. Cynthia told me there was no agility test and they were easy on bp numbers.. I usually stick around 140/70ish and below.. Anyone know if this is acceptable? Also.. Im 6'2 and 378 pounds.. I can work and work hard.. But i understand most people look at my size as just a safety hazard.. anyone know if boyds are the same? I have around a year and a few months experiance at a freezer box.. So i have driving experiance.. Just never shifted at such a low rate.. Hopefully those trucks pull decent.. And i would think "boggin" the truck down would make it ruff on that flatbed.. Shakin everything around.. Lastly.. Whats this agility test? Never taken one.. Oh and in burminham.. Does the motel you stay at have decent stuff? Wifi? In room microwaves? Decent eating places? Good neighborhood? Thanks for any help i can get.... Oh yeah.. Anyone know what the rest of the 13 days consist of?

 

How are the miles with Boyd? I've also been talking with Cynthia and she can get me in orientation on the 25th. Also talking with Swift about flatbed. Got a friend with Swift and he avgs about 3000 miles a week. He says Boyd is a good company, they just have shorter runs, more loading and unloading. Any Boyd drivers that can comment on this? Thanks.

 

A gpa of 96? Dang, you must be really smart. I only graduated with a 3.84 Oh well. What can you do?

 

I just talked to them and they said right now the drivers are averaging around 2000 miles per week. I guess some weeks more and others less. It would be nice if it was at least 2500 at the minimum. But that is the trucking industry I guess.

 

I am a current employee with Boyd. Been away from them for just over a year, and just started back. Nothing has changed though. They r the only flatbed company I will work for, and only truckin company Im willing to leave my family for two weekd. The miles with boyd vary, as do with any company out there. The spring and summer will be more miles than the "slow" seasons. With boyd, if ur willin to run, they r willin to give u the miles. I train and average just under 2500 a week. So, not sure if you came to boyd or not, just figured id give u a lil insight.