New drivers come together!

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by BULLDOG_88, May 12, 2010.

  1. sammycat

    sammycat "Oldest Hijackerette"

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    Apr 11, 2010
    Rochester, NY
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    Norwegiandane- Welcome to TTR!!! I am a truckers wife and have only been on here a short time but have learned there are many threads and posts on all sorts of information for truckers, wannabees, newbs, spouses etc. Take some time if you can and read the header/sections for any specifics and as 59panhead said-ask questions! The people on here are amazing and so helpful. I would also suggest your girlfriend join the forum to have a better understanding of what you and she will both be going though -as the driver needs someone to support him at home and she will need someone to support her. The ladies room is an excellent place where wifes and GF etc have some great threads about just about anything. Good luck with school. My husband went thru school last fall got his CDL and started February. (took time off prior to applying as he was still in college finishing courses at the time) Did his training and has been on his own about 3 months now and I can tell the difference already as he learns his way around.
    Again Welcome!!:biggrin_25515:
     
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  3. Norwegiandane

    Norwegiandane Bobtail Member

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    May 25, 2010
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    Thanks sammycat! Good to be here!

    And thank you also 59panhead, I'm looking at some worst to work for company threads right now. Man! Swift is really not popular at all. I still think CR England is the worst considering that when I googled their name they showed up on Rip Off Report.com like thousand times.
     
    Big Don Thanks this.
  4. BULLDOG_88

    BULLDOG_88 Bobtail Member

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    May 12, 2010
    Springfield, MO
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    Hey Everyone, sorry I've been off the radar lately, I've been in St. Louis at orientation for Hogan Transport, I will get on here tonight most likely and give you all updates because I'm sure you all are worried about me by now.

    Talk to you soon,
    BULLDOG
     
  5. hindsy

    hindsy Road Train Member

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    I was heavy asking questions about a few different companies. I jumped into a lot of threads and just started commenting. I also currently have a job with a computer in front of me. This helps me cope with the knuckleheads in my room... work with ISS students... (really fun sometimes)
    Now I also try to help with greeting the new people to TTR.
    That and I live on the computer at home a little too much. Just so much to learn and so much to see! lol:biggrin_2559:
     
  6. hindsy

    hindsy Road Train Member

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    Your thoughts on Swift here are pretty one sided, but remember how large they are. They have a lot of happy drivers too. This forum is very helpful and most of the people here will give you the truth! But there are instances that I would say some jaded former employees come here and bash the company they were let go from or whatever.
     
  7. Big Don

    Big Don "Old Fart"

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    Utah's DIXIE!
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    Welcome Norwegiandane! Look at all the threads that you have the time to. Keep in mind that if a company has driver after driver after driver talking (sensibly) about how bad they are, that you might do better without that particular company.

    But also keep in mind that no job, no company and for that matter no DRIVER is perfect. Everybody has their little "bumps" in the road. But when those little "bumps" become flat out rip offs, then you need to know it.

    Yeah, there are some drivers on here who would bellyache no matter what, just as there are drivers on here who should be named Pollyanna. But when you see a company such as SWIFT or Knight or Werner that have so much bad posted about them, by so many different drivers, then it should raise a red flag.

    OTOH, in this economy, you may be lucky to find any job, including one of the driver mills. A person can live with darn near anything for a year or so, just to get the miles and time for a resume. So if you must go with one of the driver mills to get your foot in the door, so be it. A lot of us have or are right now.

    One thing to remember though is that YOUR attitude will make a big difference for you, no matter what company you are with.

    Good luck, and again, W E L C O M E!:biggrin_25519:

    Oh one last thought: Stay away from company leases! If you even consider it, read all the negatives about it here, then run the other way!

    Yeah, we were about ready to call Search and Rescue on you.:biggrin_25525:
     
    Last edited: May 26, 2010
    sammycat and Norwegiandane Thank this.
  8. sammycat

    sammycat "Oldest Hijackerette"

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    Apr 11, 2010
    Rochester, NY
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    Geez Bulldog I was worried too!! Getting ready to send a St Bernard after ya!!I think I may now be at that MAGIC #50 post whooooo hooo!

    I spend way too much time on here too but it is SO entertaining:biggrin_2559: my other down fall is Farmville :biggrin_25513: way too much time there
     
  9. 59Panhead

    59Panhead Medium Load Member

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    Mar 8, 2010
    St. Petersburg, FL
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    In School Suspension? If so, I spent alot of time in ISS. I would get OSS but they found out somehow that I would get suspended just in time for a car show or something.

    My ISS teacher chewed Red Man and let us smoke. It was very laid back.
     
  10. hindsy

    hindsy Road Train Member

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    Not like that here!

    Sad thing is I spent my share of time in ISS and OSS way back in high school too. Not where I ever thought I'd end up! I don't like now either! lol
     
  11. BULLDOG_88

    BULLDOG_88 Bobtail Member

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    May 12, 2010
    Springfield, MO
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    Hey Everyone, especially Big Don and Sammycat,
    I must say I really feel loved! Anyways, I have seen several posts on here about Hogan Transport that I DISAGREE with and I am here to SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT on Hogan Transport and I have a right to because I've been through their orientation and some training. Hogan Transport is a Very Good, Moral and Understanding company BUT they ARE NOT going to put you in one of their trucks unless you can prove to them that you know what you are doing for the most part. Here is Orientation in a nutshell. The 1st day is a lot of Benefits paperwork,Them welcoming you, Depending on Class size 1-2 and maybe 3 Road Tests will be conducted that day, as well as Drug Tests and some Pretty Hardcore Physicals, This is how they weed out the guys that either think they can beat the drug test, can't pass the physical for some reason or another or can't pass the road test/backing maneuvers. Hogan has a really good reputation for being SAFE and they are not going to jeopardize that to give someone the keys to an 80,000 lb rig when they can't prove that they know how to operate it safely. I don't blame Hogan for that, Can you? The 2nd day is all about Policies and Procedures as well as meeting some really key people within the company and more road tests are conducted depending on class size. The 3rd day is all about "The Smith System" and training you in class and hands on driving portion called "Commentary Driving" and more road test will be conducted depending on class size. The 4th day you get you I.D. Cards, Comdata cards, Medical cards and finish up with orientation as well as get some specific on the job training and more road tests are done depending on class size. But that's pretty well it for orientation. During orientation and your career with Hogan they have a reputation for being really good to their drivers and recruits. I personally along with all the other guys staying at the hotel have a room to ourselves. They have a slogan at Hogan, "Large enough to serve, Small enough to care" and I really believe that is true and that they actually practice this. Also as far as their "Fatigue Hotline" That is FACT, they do want you to call in and check with safety if you are going to drive between the hours of 11 PM - 5 AM... Just wanted to clear that rumor up. Is all I have to say is they have great benefits, they have a very safety oriented orientation and training! They are doing what a lot of trucking companies should be taking the time to do but aren't. So that being said, if you feel you actually know how to operate a truck SAFELY and can back it up then give Hogan a try and I can personally promise you WILL NOT regret it. Also Big Don and Sammycat, I am so pleased to say that I don't have to go OTR because Hogan gave me a Dedicated Account and I'm going to be home every weekend!!! But anyways, Gotta get up early in the morning so I'm hitting the sack but if anyone has any questions regarding Hogan Transport, Orientation, The Equipment, or Training, Please ask me and I will try my best to give you an answer that is truthful to the best of my knowledge.
    Once again thanks for reading this thread and supporting this forum,
    Talk to you soon,

    - BULLDOG
     
    Last edited: May 27, 2010
    wowo6057 Thanks this.
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