Britton Transport Inc.?

What truck number are you? Where yang hanging out at today. I'm riding across U.S. 18 in northern Iowa right now. Watching my co-driver drive.

 

Are you driving a truck with a sleeper, and using it? If so, it would count as experience, I believe. If you went van/reefer division, you would not need to ride with a trainer. If you are wanting flatbed division, then you would likely have to ride with me for a couple weeks for flatbed training. I'm currently the only flatbed trainer. But I keep my truck and myself clean, and I wouldn't waste your time. You'd learn enough for it to be worth your time.

 

I'm not sure how many run go to the southwest in the van division. In flatbed it isn't very frequent. Flatbed starts at .40cpm. Van starts at .37. Of course, if a drIver is experienced, they start higher. Those are before any mileage bonuses or anything. We have mileage bonuses, safety bonuses, breakdown pay, 34 hr restart pay, border crossing pay (if you go to Canada), also extra .05 cpm for Canada miles. In addition, flatbeds get tarp pay, and can get .10 extra for oversized loads. My current trainee says he thinks that you only have to sign a contract if you are in the school tuition reimbursement program. If you break the contract you'd have to reimburse them for any tuition reimbursements they gave you. As for a one month break, they may work with you on that. I've never had trouble getting time I need off. If this is something planned already, just let them know. I'm sure they'll work with you on it. Yes, you can switch divisions. I know a couple guys who have changed divisions. As far as why I started in flatbed, I don't really remember. That was a long time ago. In the last 25 years I've had 5 jobs. 4 were trucking. 6 months flatbed at my first company. Then 10 months reefer/van with a company no longer in business. Then almost 17 years at a flatbed carrier. I tried to quit trucking for a factory job for 10 months in 2011. When I came back trucking, I didn't seriously consider anything but flatbed. That 10 month with the reefer company all them years ago was enough door banging for me. If I ever decide I want to try something other than flatbed, it'll be tanker or maybe car hauling.

 

Yes, Canada is optional. But it does pay more to go up there. I know, on the flatbed side, we could use a few more drivers who can and will go up there. If you look into a passport, and don't ever intend to fly anywhere, just get the passport card. It is cheaper to get than the regular little blue book. And it's a card, so it'll fit in your wallet too. The card is only good for land travel between hehe U.S., Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean.