Have to start somewhere

Good luck Daytona!!!!! We have 3 more weeks till we go home for a few days then were off to Tacoma, WA for orientation and our trainer! I hope you get and great trainer and enjoy pulling a flatbed.

 

First off: I want to say thanks to the following posters.

Daytona45: Love this thread, it gives people an accurate picture of what to expect, and it's filled with great advice.

GasHauler: Loved your response, great advice, and right on point.

I wish more people had the attitude that you do Daytona45. I think this is one of the most enjoyable posts I have read on here! I truly hope everything goes well with your trainer. Sounds like Maverick will be a good fit for you.

Someone asked if you'd still be a pumpkinhead... Not anymore. The sale of Schneider's specialised division had an agreement in it so that SNI could not hire back any of the drivers for a year, which is up, so now they are full on Maverick people.
I had originally gone to Schneider's school with the intention of moving to Maverick for the specialized, but once I got to Laurinburgh, NC, they decided not to take me. Something with the "agility test" didn't look right to them, so they wished me good luck and sent me home.
I will give Maverick credit, they gave me $100 for taking the trip, and paid for me to get home. I wish I could have stuck with them after reading this thread. I left without much argument because the people down there gave me a very bad feeling anyway. Now I see that I was simply dealing with disgruntled ex-pumpkinheads, and not Maverick. Maybe I'll try again, since I was prepped for that in school, rather than Van.

Congrats on joining the Industry, I hope all goes well for you in the future, and hope to see more updates.

 

It's been 20 years since I've been on the road. But I remember my first trip. It was more of a adventure than a job. I think the hardest part for me to get adjusted to was the time I went to sleep. No two days were the same as when I got my rest. After about the 3rd day, I was so tired, I had no problem sleeping. And there on out, I could go to sleep, anytime of the day. And the other thing I had to get adjusted to was the lifestyle. It's not for everyone. You'll know within 6 months if it's what you want to continue doing. I myself enjoyed it, like anything, you'll have your good days and some days you'll wonder what the hell did you get yourself into. I did it for 3 years, I had to get out of it because my wife told me she couldn't handle it anymore with me being gone all the time. Anyway, I think you'll be fine. Your feeling what I believe everyone feels their first time out.

 

Good luck fellow maverick driver. Don't worry you will do fine! Just relax and get the most out of it. I went to wally world and bought my grub for the week. Counting a few extra things I bought, I spent $50.00 It is not so much as what you make out there as it is what you spend out there. Most of the time I have food left when I come in. I know you are with a trainer and you won't have as much room and it will be his truck you are in, but when you go solo you will call the shots. I look forward to meeting you at one of our yards. Good luck, and relax!

 

I see Maverick trucks here in Fort Smith all the time. Where are y'all running out of here? Mack steel?

I always see them hauling cooils and steel rods

Just curious

 

I pull steel out of there or our yard, but this run delivering to a customer there monday.

 

Cool, now I know. I have been curious about that for quite a while


Never got to ask because I work for Mack/Volvo not freightliner therefore I never see any of mavericks drivers

 

Daytona,

I was wonderful to read all of your posts. I am sure it will be a little tough out there for you in the beginning but hang in there. I wish that all of the drivers had your enthusiasm. It just might make for a better group of people on the road. Good luck to you and keep all of us informed on your new adventure.

Drive safe

 

Good luck Daytona in training and get your trainer to teach you how to make some good cajun gumbo!