driving for us express

Glad I came across this thread. I'm scheduled to go to Orientation with US Express in two weeks. Lots of good stuff here to read about and I really didn't see any negative replies that would scare some one off since this is already a 12 page thread.

One thing I found interesting was that a trainer could start his/her day later than the student's. It sounds to me this is done an awful a lot by trainers so that they can keep the truck moving longer during the day to keep more money in his/her pocket. My only concern is that when I'm supposed to be sleeping, I want to sleep and not have to worry about trying to sleep while some one is driving.

I'll be going solo when I am out of training. I'm looking forward to driving for US Express. I asked for a non-smoker so since they have two weeks, I hope they have one for me when orientation is over. The sooner I get on the road and get those 150 hours knocked out, the happier I will be.

I've seen the word "upgrade" used here when drivers talk about going from being a trainer to getting his/her own truck. What do you guys mean by upgrade?

Does US Express also pull you in for one final road test when you are finished with your 150 hours?

What is per-diem? I don't want to lose money. I was told .30 cents a mile and I want to make sure I get what I have earned on every pay check.

Any body doing dedicated routes? I'm supposed to be out during the week, less than 7 days and home before those 7 days are up for my 34 to 36 hour reset. How many miles are you guys getting?

Thanks for answering my questions.

 

i start in 2 weeks for usxpress too...good luck to u! the way i understood pay is 58 dollars a day during the 30 days --your trainer is supposed to be awake training u during your 30 days--perdiem is something i still dont understand but seems to get my bf an extra 20 bucks a week on his check...they seem to pay diff amts per mile depending on your mileage--under 500 miles gets you more cpm--over 500 less...its weird...good luck!

 

Where are you supposed to go for orientation? I'm heading to Chicago. Yes 58 dollars a day is what my recruiter also told me. I'm not sure about the elogs people are talking about on here. I'm sure it will be simply. I did the paper logs when I drove for Roehl last year. My recruiter didn't say anything to me about the floating pay scale, she just said I would start out at .30 cents a mile. I will not do the perdiem. That benefits the company more than the driver in the long run.

 

going to Dalton Ga--boyfriend runs elogs and its no biggie-if u have computer skills you will be fine

 

"Upgrade" takes 3 days at the end of training. You have a written test, do route planning, get certified for elogs and take a driving test including backing. If you pass, they give you a truck.
The first 75 hours of your training, your trainer MUST be awake and sitting in the passenger seat to monitor you. The second half, they can team or go super solo (run a few extra hours) if THEY decide you are ready.
They will not look for a trainer for you until you complete orientation. So many are no-shows and a bunch fail physicals or drug tests. Two week notice does not matter either way

 

Thanks guys for the information. I drove for three months last summer so I'm not worried. Will say this though, if i'm not out on the road right after orientation is over, say with in 48 hours, it will be good bye US EXpress. I ran across another thread where guys in orientation talked about being sent home for 2, 3 or 4 weeks before they hit the road. I'm not sitting at home that long. A man can't make any money that way and be expected to pay his bills. So I hope things have changed and they get me out on the road quick.

 

You might just go back and re-read those posts, and you might find that they were from a few years ago!!!

 

I thought that USX was an all auto fleet?

 

Not anymore. Quickly moving to all manuals

 

I got your back — it did say Duper dolo — and I wondered the same thing. Just a typo!