May Trucking new driver training

jedi_tev · May 19, 2010

The Yolo yard has a porta potty in it and before we got paperless logs, I've bobtailed down to Denny's and Wal-Mart. All it is just a drop yard, that's all really. And a place to leave your tractor if you live
locally.

LostinOregon said: ↑

I have passed by the Yolo yard down there in Cali a few times, now i know why you May drivers hate that yard, the least they could do with all the money they got is put in some kind of trailer to use as a driver lounge and a couple porta potty's or at least let ya drop yer trailers so ya can bob tail up to the Pilot.
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squaredeal · Aug 27, 2010

Honua Gal said: ↑

I am a new driver who just accepted an offer from May this week and will go through their new driver program starting next Wednesday. I thought I'd start a thread on my experiences, for better or worse, as a new driver for May. I am hoping that my own journey may help other new drivers make decisions, as so many people's posts here have helped me.

So, this is what I know about May right now: May is based in Salem, Oregon running 900 trucks in two divisions: 48 state (which requires a hazmat endorsement) and 11 western (which doesn't). It fit the bill for me as another medium sized NW company, so I applied and was accepted within a week. After getting accepted, my husband and I drove down to Salem to see the operation and get more information. (FWIW - I'm planning to drive solo OTR, but it is important to me that my husband has all his questions and concerns addressed as well, which is why I asked him to go to Salem with me.) We spent about two hours there, getting a tour of the base yard, maintenance, ops dispatch center, and spent over an hour talking to the Driver Services Mgr. He really took time to answer all of our questions.

They do not have a driver training program. You must have your CDL. They take experienced drivers and do orientation with them on Mondays. They take new drivers with CDLs and do a three day orientation with us starting on Wednesdays, after which we are assigned to a driver "mentor" for an unspecified period of time. Could be a few days to a few weeks... whatever you need to get with the May program. Their mentor policy is that women drivers get women mentors, men with men. Also, non-smokers get non-smoker mentors, and I am particularly happy about that. Most people get their mentor's blessing in about two weeks. Then you go back to the main yard for a final driving test and assignment to your own truck.

Pay: During training, you get $71.43/day, which comes to $500/week if you work seven days. Once you get your own truck, you are paid .30/mile for the first six months, .32/mile at six months, .33/mile at nine months, .34/mile at one year. Thereafter, you will get a 1/2 cent raise every six months. If you drive 10,000+ miles in a month, you get a .03/mile bonus for that month. It's 95% no-touch freight, and they pay for lumpers or $75 to unload. They do have detention pay, but my notes aren't real clear. I think it's $80/day after 24 hours. After 4 hour wait, it's $10/hour. If I'm not right on this, I'll get more info next week and post it.

They have a rider program for spouses, no pet policy, 401K matching 35 cents to the dollar up to 6% vested at five years, PPO 70/30 health plan ($19/month for single, $57/month for family). The manager said that 60% of their drivers are long term employees. Their turnover is less than the national average, I think he said 65%, but again, my notes are fuzzy on this.

That's about it for now. I'll post more as I learn it. I'm hoping to take my laptop on the road during my "mentoring" and post something here whenever I can get online.

Let the adventure begin! 8)

Honua Gal
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I have worked for May for 6 months and everything you have stated is absolutely correct. Admire you and your husband for taking the time to investigate thoroughly. Be safe and God's blessings be with you.

Powder Joints · Aug 27, 2010

Honua Gal,

So now your on the road for May Trucking. What was so bad at home to drive you away from your husband. I'm going to get flamed for asking, but really everyone wants to know but are afraid to ask. There has to be something wrong for a woman to leave her home, and husband to drive a truck.

It's just not the normal nature for a woman to leave her home.

bigblue19 · Sep 4, 2010

The OP probably does not even work for May anymore her posts are 2 years old.

Volunteer · Sep 9, 2010

Jennifer's #: 800-845-1676 x1006; local 850-484-1848.

Trucker Steve · Feb 12, 2011

Anyone coming to may for new driver training? Don't be afraid to ask your questions here this thread has some info worth reading, Lets bring it back to life!

jedi_tev · Feb 16, 2011

Hey Trucker Steve,
Maybe we could start a new thread on this. I have a computer now so I can also respond to them as well. This one is over two years old.

IAMTRUCKERSTEVE said: ↑

Anyone coming to may for new driver training? Don't be afraid to ask your questions here this thread has some info worth reading, Lets bring it back to life!
Click to expand...

Drive-a-Mack · Mar 7, 2011

..yes i just read thru all these posts trying to find Honua Gal's last post & apparently she didn't last long at May; and if she is I wonder why no update?

1st post 2-15-08 .. last post 4-20-08

ExplorerInGA · Mar 9, 2011

I'll be entering my classes next week and have Watkins Shepard on my mind. Would any of you recommend May over W&S if you've had experience with both? Just a little curious.

CAM · Mar 10, 2011

IAMTRUCKERSTEVE said: ↑

Anyone coming to may for new driver training? Don't be afraid to ask your questions here this thread has some info worth reading, Lets bring it back to life!
Click to expand...

Trucker Steve, or anyone else that can answer my question: Does May have a website with a driver login, just for employees? They didn't mention it in orientation and I didn't think to ask at the time.

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