Multiple Mention Thread

that's funny! it ain't right, but it's funny!

 

NOTARPS being my BEST BUDDY here has missed quite a few gears in his life...but I'll tell ya....He was an AWESOME DRIVER....he had to back into some real close places and survive.

He can help you with some advice and ideas....AWESOME GUY!!

 

So I take it that means you get to practise your shifting tomorrow....lol!

 

NO DOUBT!

He called my bluff and I lost!

 

I usually only miss gears when my cookies are just out of reach on the bunk. Hard to float gears when the truck is on auto pilot!

 

Shifting and turning are sorta hard but wait till you back for the first time, yikes. Then when you get out you find that backing between cones on the training yard and backing between two trucks at the T/S are two totally different things. I couldn't back for crap when I first started but now I'll hit any hole.

 

Teamdotson, I sincerely hope you can fortify yourself for the classroom situation. PDI may have new ownership and instructors now. In fact, they are advertising in the St. Joseph Herald-Palladium for an instructor. I have a co-worker who instructed at PDI years ago. He is first-class and a veteran of the U.S. Navy Submarine Service. PDI was not operating continuously in recent years.

I had a chance to observe the old PDI years ago when I took a co-worker there for his CDL road test. I waited in the classroom building while the road test was in progress, and a class was in session. The young instructor could be heard striking fear into the students with his tirade. Let us hope their instructors today are more like your favorite high school teacher.

So prepare yourself. Remember that although the instructor may know more about trucking than you know, there is something in which you have more experience than he has. If they browbeat you, let it be like water off a duck's back. In only a few weeks, you will be on your own. Also, know that inspite of raising the volume of the discussion, the school actually wants all of the students to pass with flying colors. Good luck, and we'll see you on the road.

 

Yeah I saw that ad in the paper today myself. I can get thur the classroom no problem. Good thing is it is small between 5 or 6 students. It would be to much to have 30 or more at once. Would be hard to get any truck time or such.

I have yet to meet any of the instructors. I have met afew ppl and they seem nice enough. Met one of the older road instructors can't remember his name. Had over 30 yrs experiencs but I wonder if he left and thats who their replacing or somene in the classroom. Hopefully my classroom instructor doesnt do that. Not a good way to teach in my opinion.

I can let most things go and not let it bother me. Thanks for the heads up and the info. Never talked to someone that has been there and observed other than talking to thsoe who work there. I'll keep you all posted once I start. Not sure when yet but hopefully in the next couple of weeks.

 

I am starting training on March 5th. My top company so far is SMX. Also looking at TMC and Maverick, but I hear maverick has no tuition reimbursement. Any Other ideas from you all out there? I have no prehires yet but I am hoping to have one before school starts so it is less I gotta do during school. So I can be there to learn and not try to rush into just any company. I will keep you posted and let you all know whats going on as it comes. And thanks to those who have helped me so far.


PS can anyone explain the HOS rules more clearly then what I find out online? Maybe im just not letting it sink in. Any help would be appreciated.

 

Well if you use that search bottom toward the top right of the forum, and type in the company you have questions about, you will get all kinds of info on most companies.

Far as the Hours of regulation

14 Hour rule...
14 hours from when you first began working, you may no longer drive (provided your not in violation of the 11hr rule) without taking a 10 hour break. You may continue to work on line 4 (on duty) beyond the 14hrs.

11 Hour rule...
You may not drive more than 11 hours in your 14 hour window.

70 Hour rule...
You are only allowed to work 70 hours in the last 8 days, at which time you will be required to take a 34 hour reset, or wait until midnight and gain back the hours from the 8th day.

34 Hour Reset...
34 consecutive hours between lines 1&2 (off duty & sleeper berth) will reset your 70hour clock.

You should not have to be taking a 34 hour reset everyday.

You legally could drive 13.5 hours each midnight to midnight day.



Check this link out for further information
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/topics/hos/hos-2005.htm