CR England...Cedar Hill, Tx location

While the truck is in motion...yessir....no one can be on the top bunk.

 

Well, made it down to Texas at the end of Phase 1 and hit the DMV for my CDL...then caught a load back up to SLC. We got in yesterday evening and and I was in the classroom for upgrade this morning for a few videos....then out to the range for confined backing and a road evaluation. Passed it all so my upgrade is complete...just waiting on a call from my new DM...probably won't come till tomorrow. By Monday I'll either catch a truck/load or a Greyhound back down to Fort Worth for a few days home time and then start my Phase 2 training.

 

Yessir...trying to keep it real.
Heres a little update...

After orientation (after I passed all training and was hired on) I was offered home time. I really thought that was too soon and wanted to get my phase 1 training done before taking home time...so...I asked, if I don't take home time now, can I take it after phase 1 completion and after my upgrade, but before I start phase 2...I was told "Yes, you can".

Well...a few of us were told after upgrade that..."well, we like to get you on your trucks and then get you home time during phase 2". Now...a couple guys demanded home time and got it, and I was going to as well, but...considering the fact that all I need is 100 hours to hit my next upgrade...I decided I would talk to my new DM, make sure he would get me home inside of 2 weeks and just ride it out. So, I did.

I've been assigned to a national fleet for phase 2 and my phase 2 lead seat is also from Texas...so, I'm now waiting on him to pick me up...should be this afternoon. I'm ready to roll.

 

They tell you Phase 2 is a month and a half...but I also know you can upgrade to Phase 2 Lead at 100 hours (which is basically about 2 weeks) so...I'm really not sure about the solo route, if they would require the full 1 1/2 months or what. But yes...after Phase 2 is when you would request Solo or Team or whatever.

 

Yessir...that's all correct. The training route is the shortest...phase 1 - 1 month or 180 hours...I would of been done in 3 weeks if not for weather delays/highway closures....as it was...I checked in for my upgrade at around 25 days. As we talked about..phase 2 (as a second seat) can take UP TO a month and a half...depending on your career path, how well your doing (on time pick ups/delivery and safety record.

I'm going the phase 2 lead (first seat) route so...barring disaster I'll be eligible for upgrade at 100 hours (I'm averaging better than 10 a day, no safety issues).

Once I make Phase 2 first seat...I'll ride that out till I hit the 4 month mark (mandatory)and again, barring disaster, take my next upgrade to Phase 2 advanced lead.

At that point I'll again ride out another 2 months (6 months in service-mandatory) and either go the trainer route, find a "job" within the company or part ways (since I'm a veteran and my contract is only 6 months). There are some dedicated routes that pay pretty fair, but still, not as high as some other companies I've heard about.

The pay IS low while your a Phase 2 2nd seat...shoot, not much better as a 1st seat I don't think...but it does pick up once you hit Phase 2 advanced lead. I recommend trying to get in a national fleet...it's your best chance at getting lots of miles.

There are a couple things here and there that are frustrating but I doubt it's any different anywhere else. I'll ride it out for the 6 months and weigh my options.