Need advice on first driving job

As a general rule, never go work at a company where your friends are.
2nd, don’t make friends with co-workers, it’s ok to be cordial, and friendly with your co-workers, but don’t set to be friends. The chances of the friendship going ‘sideways’ is almost a certainty.

 

I appreciate the input everybody. I guess it's just hard to see the potential bs when, as stated originally, I always considered this person a friend. Also worth noting: we were running a load out of GA (I don't want to state any names here, but the fleet is out of the Atlanta area, and I am currently a resident of CT, although my gf and I are aiming to move down to the GA/SC/TN area sooner than later for our own reasons), and when I got us to the Oklahoma border we got pulled into the POE for a Level 1 inspection on the truck, HIS truck, considering he is supposedly a lease-operator (although the company pays his fuel, he uses their MC and DOT number, etc.), and there were numerous issues found on MY watch, all of which he was well aware of, and when I would mention these things he would brush it off as 'we have to roll, you handle these things when they absolutely need done,' and so I ended up taking the hit when they placed his truck OOS for a tandem tire being bald and #### near flat. Fall guy, I guess. He also currently has an expired license and Med card, so my gf is of the mindset he's using my licensure to stay somewhat road legal until he sorts himself out.

The only real reason I've stuck with it thus far is A) it's experience that is currently paid under the table, which could be worse, but B) it's because I'm such a new driver. Can easily say I've got upwards of 10k verifiable miles of experience now, all the regions of the country, etc., but it's just uncertain what solid options I would have as a new driver. I applied to Western Express to run flatbed, and they were on it like white on rice, so I guess I have SOME options, but I know the first-year zone is a tough spot as a newbie driver as far as opportunities are concerned.

 

Some details as requested in previous replies:

-I live in CT, but will be moving to the southeast corner within the next couple months if all goes well (GA/TN/SC, the misses and I still have to settle on one).
-I have been running reefer in this situation thus far, but I wouldn't mind trying flatbed out as I like the idea of the physical work that comes with it.
-I do not have any endorsements on my license at the moment.
-My driving record is clean aside from a DUI I got several years ago in a personal vehicle (and before I had a Class A, obviously). Since then I have had no issues with my driving history. The DUI was also expunged, so as of now my record stands clean for quite some time.
-My concern is that these f****** violation points I may have gotten from his busted ##* truck will be hurtful. I have no moving violations or any issues in THAT regard since being a CMV driver, but still.
-I would like to continue to run OTR as I love the job, and my gf and I would like to make it out there together some time this summer so she can see the country/job a bit, and just as an experience together (and I know most companies have rider policies and pet policies and such).

 

There was nothing in the hire docs I signed that binded me to repayment of tuition, and there was nothing that I signed generally about repayment, so I am off the hook for that one. Their only caveat is that you must put two weeks in if you are going to leave the agreement, otherwise I would be subject to a $1,000 fee.

 

We run electronic logs - Samsara to be exact - so, is there a way I can export my logs from an ELD app like that to myself? Or would the company have to provide them? I'm HOPING they wouldn't be s***heads like that and withhold those records, but...then again I didn't think this situation would turn into what it has in general lol

 

Wouldn't mind staying OTR for a while for the experience points, as well as the fact that I do love seeing the country along the way. But my nearest city is currently Hartford, although that will most likely be changing to either Atlanta area or Nashville area.

 

USA Truck is dry van and wouldn't have to change companies when you move to Nashville or Atlanta.
I recommend Nashville over Atlanta due to traffic congestion and Tennessee has no state income taxes.
~
USA Truck – Capacity Solutions
Can take girlfriend along.

 

May Trucking Company
1284 Bridgestone Pkwy La Vergne, TN 37086 (La Vergne is basically a suburb of Nashville.)
QUESTION: Does MTC offer a rider policy?
ANSWER: Yes. May Trucking Company's rider policy allows you to take a rider for a specified period of time. You are eligible to take a rider as soon as you solo out.

 

That tire carries more CSA points than a fatal accident.

No license, no med card, and he got you to play patsy for very little pay. If you tell the girlfriend the responses you received from here, will she say, “Told ya so”?

Who is he leased on to without a med card and valid license? My instincts tell me that he can’t pass a drug screen (the money has to be going somewhere since it’s not going to you or the truck.

One of my worst experiences in trucking was a 30 hour bus ride on the GreyDog. I would Greydog it home before I drove that truck again. In fact, I would smile when I got my greydog bus ticket.

I don’t mean to sound rude, hand but I am having a hard time coming to terms with your being so “naive”…in fact, I believe I should bow out before I get a headache.

 

If you do move to TN later--try to stay south of I-40.

You'll encounter less ice in wintertime there.

--Lual