Calex Express....My New Home!

Thanks Gary. I am now about 95% back to normal. It's time to get rolling. Calex has been real good about all this. Now you see why I think the world of this company.

 

Hey JohnBoy and Gary, I got a call from Mort today. I need to go up and take a road test up in Pittston next Friday, he wanted me to do it sooner but I am currently working and have Friday off. Anyway, he seems to be moving quickly, could either one of you tell me what I can expect when I get to Pittston. I live in Philly so I'm going to drive up. He said drug screen and physical too. I like that he's on the ball but I need to give proper notice to my current employer, etc...Do you guys know how fast they're looking to get drivers into trucks? Didn't expect things to move so quickly. I have to touch base with Mort on Wed. so I'll hit him with any questions I might have then I'm just hoping to get a heads up before then. Thanks....

 

Al, first off if you've been told to come to Pittston you have already been cleared via all background checks. The only thing that will hold you back is if you fail the road test, or the drug test. Once those are completed you will be put into a truck and on the road. Orientation consists of paperwork, videos, and policies and procedures. It usually takes a day and a half so they put you in a motel on their dime. Anymore questions just ask, I'll be home until Sunday then will be leaving.

 

Well I finally have my old body back to normal and my truck is finally fixed. I got a load today that had 3 p/u's in Naples and delivers in McDonough Ga Monday morning. I've already been pre-planned with a load out of one of our customers in Griffin Ga going to Mountaintop Pa. then onto Concord NH. This will be a good mileage load by the time I empty out. Then it'll be onto the West Coast. I get to be home for 2 more days with the wife and dogs. At least we can do something fun instead of everyone watching me loose 15 pounds in 3 days with the virus I had.

 

Johnboy, Getting that at home was a blessing in itself... I'd hate to see what that would have done to you out on the road, I'm watching this as I start school in a few weeks and am just doing my home work. Thanks. TD.

 

JohnBoy thanks for the reply. Road test should be no problem and the drug test is no problem. I looked through the entire site for Calex and it was a little lacking. Do you know what the starting pay generally is? Also I'm wondering about insurance, do they offer it? 401k or anything along those lines. Like I said in my previous post I'm going to touch base with Mort next week I'm sure I'll have a few questions for him. Hometime for you seems to be really consistent which is one of the reasons I applied. In September I'm best man in a wedding so I want to run that by him and make sure it won't be an issue, if so I'll have to push things back. Anyway, if I think of anything else I'll run it by you, thanks again for your help....AL

 

Thought of another couple questions, how are the trucks equipped? Do they come with or can the driver have an inverter installed? Trying to stay out of the truck stops so is there room for a small fridge in the truck or something similar? Also I've been driving a basic International daycab, is there anything about the Volvos I should know? Last truck I drove with a sleeper was a Pete or a Kenworth about 5-6 yrs ago. Never been in a Volvo before. Does Calex run into NYC or the bouroughs? Not a fan myself. Thanks...Al

 

I did get sick like this back in '93. I spent 3 days in the truck at the Triple T in Tucson and had the people at the fuel desk checking on me every so often. It was a blessing that this happened while at home. Good luck at your school. Listen and ask questions. It'll all work out.

 

Starting pay is .34-.36 depending on experience and job history. Insurance starts the first of the month following your first 30 days. We just changed carriers last month and I've already used them. We have some other bene's also that wil be explained to you. Trust me you can take this to the bank, hometime is very important to me and to Calex, you will have a great time at the wedding in September, make your plans!

 

They are the Volvo 780 with stand up sleepers. They have a refrigerator/freezer that I couldn't survive without of. They are automatic tranny that I don't personally like but allows me to drink a cup of coffee in bumper to bumper traffic. They are governed at 68-72. More than likely the one you would get will have an APU on it, if it doesn't have an APU the shop has a list of what is needed for the inverter. You buy the material, they install it. I think it's like $150 worth of Inverter and parts. Mine doesn't have an APU because it's an older truck that runs great and I told them that I want to stay in it until the day it's take out of service. The only negative thing about the Automatic Volvo is there is some lag time between giving it the gas and it actually moving, which to me is tricky in the winter with the ice and snow. We do run into NYC alot but for what it's worth, they pay us extra to go in there. Me personally, it doesn't bother me, that's where I grew up and learned to drive many years ago.