New guy checking in.

Is anyone else going to be attending orientation in Rancho Cucamonga next week? Told by recruiter Dave that as of yesterday there will be 12 of us. For me this was not an easy decision but I spent two weeks putting in applications and doing my homework. Most of the 25 or so companies never showed any interest and I even had a few that turned me down because of my recent termination. My termination was based on a stupid paper work error and had nothing to do with misconduct or any of the other common reasons drivers get let go.

With 20+ years and over 2,000,000 miles under my belt I find myself in the same position I was in when I started out back in 1991. Going back out on the road for weeks at a time is not going to be easy but I am kind of looking forward to it. Currently I am just shy of 9 years and close to 1,000,000 safe miles,the only reason Im not at 1.7 is because I had some trailer damage that added up to 1200.00 back in 2002. With most of my miles coming from running the pacific northwest pulling doubles and triples its not easy to build such a solid record. I hope my experience will help me be a productive driver while Im at Gordon.

I am coming into this fully aware that the days of making 90k+ a year are gone for at least a few years. My plan is to run hard,mind my own business,show respect without kissing butt and not piss anybody off. After 16 years as a teamster I can honestly say that I have seen the worst of the worst when it comes to abuse by management. For me there was never any real trouble because I learned very early to accept the fact that if you want to make that kind of money you have to play the game. So I will play the game at Gordon and hopefully win once in a while. If I can manage to make 55k a year and keep my record clean while I rebuild my reputation I will be very thankful. If anyone out there working for Gordon has any advice Im more than willing to listen. Like some others before I will try and check in and post my progress. It really helps others out when they can follow someones progress and get an idea of what to expect. Even with all my time and experience I am after all just a new guy.

 

Miles sound good,I was hoping for 450 a day. Truck speed is no issue I spent 16 yeears with a company that set thier tractors at 58. Did get stopped once by an OSP coming dowm Wllamette pass right before the railroad trestle doing 65 with an empty set of triples. Officer was real cool and let me off with a warning,that was about the fastest I have gone in a truck in years.

 

If your running 450 miles six days a week and your averaging .39 cpm ( .38 dry,.40 reefer) your going to be right at 54k. Now is that going to happen every week,probably not and Im well aware it could be worse. Guestimate off the top of my head knowing how smart I can work would be 50k for the first year. It doesnt really matter because at this point I dont have any better options to work with.

 

Like I said driver its the best option I have at the moment. Not real interested in anything off but Thanksgiving and Christmas and maybe the one day for each week out but thats not a must.