Ok here is my little bit to put out there... I know people will say run for the hills but here is my situation: Have been unemployed for awhile now, not getting anything for I am either Over/Under Qualified. Looked into trying to go to a local school in Maine for the CDL, but they charge way to much for the school and don't offer the financing that I could handle at this time. Have the ability to start at Burns Harbor in Nov (not taking the greyhound btw and was told would be reimbursed up to $100 if choose my own transportation) Have just a few questions: 1) Was told school would be approx 2 weeks - is it everyday for 2 weeks and what are the typical hours? 2) How is the hotel honestly (I do not expect the ritz)? 3) After Phase 1 do you go straight into Phase 2 or is it Phase 1 , a little home time, then Phase 2 4) After the Phase 2 is completed was told that typical is 6 weeks OTR then like a weekend hometime. How would this workout if I live in Maine? 5) Looking to do the Team Driving until I get the OTR experience under my belt, but not really sure on the whole leasing thing (never could accept the rational behind leasing anything). 6) What is the typical drive hours vs rest hours? Thanks in advance
Not many loads from here in Maine. Dont know if England pulls water for Poland Springs or not. The other problem with any trucking company? That 34 begins at the last load dropped. So in my case where I had one load I dropped in Sydney, it was 2.5 hours home off of the 34. 70 hours, to the 34. With the elogs it will mean they are looking at your hours more closely.
1. bus picks you(us) up at 5:45 in the morning. you're back to the hotel by 5:15 pm if u catch the first bus back. 2. it's a hole. rooms are tiny.. but what the heck.. i don't have screaming kids to deal with. 3. after phase 1. you come back for upgrade training.. like 2 days. then wait to pick up your phase 2 trainer.. then back out. rumor has it around school that phase 2 ppl have been coming back earlier than 2 months. like a LOT earlier. whatever way you decide to go after that, company, team, lease.. your dm will (read "should") get you a day or so to load up your truck and make it comfy since you'll prolly never be seeing your loved ones again. <---- slight bit of humor there.. only partially untrue. 5. Your HoS are your HoS. Drive 11.. rest 10. go til your 70 is tapped and reset. that's if you're solo. team or training.. if you work your HoS right.. you keep the wheels turning forever.
btw..i'm at burns harbor NOW.. 3 more days til i get my cdl and then you all better stay off my sidewalks.
This is the equivalent of the point in the interview the employers asks if you have any questions ... and you ask "how much vacation and sick days do I get?" You need to do something other than truck driving.
Actually since I am new to truck driving I felt it was a very valid question to ask. Since I was told that it is a 11/10 deal then at least someone else had a little respect to answer the question, although think would make more sense if it was 14/10. Also as far as asking how many vacation/sick days do I get, well since that would be part of the benefits package for any job that also would be a valid question to establish if they are paying you enough to begin with since it all ties in together. But thank you for your wonderful words of wisdom...
Valid question after you've been offered the job and you are negoiating compensation ... kiss of death question in the interview.
I just thought I would post an update to my newest settlement statement 11-02-2010 revenue 4 wk avg $ 5218 year to date avg $ 4054.00 total $ 174313.00 that's before expenses...like truck payment, fuel, ins, permits, variable mileage, maintenance, ect.... this is my income and as an IC I'm a 1099 at the end of the year. income 4 wk avg $ 2318.00 YTD avg $ 1486.00 YTD total $ 63870.00 and like I said before it's not the greatest but it's ok by me and it keeps getting better. I have used just about everything I learned to accomplish these numbers, I have never turned down a load, and I haven't had a service failure due to driver error ie...lolly-gagging.
