New h/w team looking for information on usxpress!!!

Welcome! I'll give a crack at all your questions here. If I miss one my bad! Lol

1) yes you are correct. Many H/W teams with USX. And from the ones I have met and talked to they are quite happy. Look for a fella named Craig on here. He and his wife team drive for USX. They have a blog of their adventures as well. He can answer more than I can about driving with your wife. And a little more about the company too as he's been with USX much longer than me.

2) we run Driver Techs. It's a touch screen computer that's either mounted directly into the dash or sticks out on a mount that's adjustable to move around. This will run you log book (elogs) and you will get all load info over it and send messages and macros back and forth with your FM and other dispatchers. It also has GPS navigation. But I (and 99.99% of USX employees) will recommend getting your own personal GPS as the driver tech one can route you some screwy ways sometimes and get you into trouble.

3) there is only a handful of kenworths I've seen running around still. Most of those have been phased out. I don't think we have many Pete condos either. You will either end up in a freightshaker Cascadia or a new international pro star. My guess would be the pro star. All teams will have prostars at some point. They are in the process of getting alot of teams into terminals and giving out these 2013 prostars. Not bad trucks at all. Comfy to drive!

4) touched on that back on number 2. But it's elog over the driver tech. Paper log only in training and if your driver tech goes down

5) I'm not much use on this one as I haven't gotten any tickets. But I know you have to call the claims dept and maybe saftey and let them know within so many days. Someone else may be able to tell you more about this. Just don't get any tickets is the best thing to do! Lol

6) this is a subject that could go either way. Some teams have no problem some have issues. It's going to depend alot on your fleet manager. If you have a good one then you should have no problems. Get a bad one and you will want to pull your hair out in no time. We had a bad FM before and it was extemely stressful. Thankfully our new FM is very nice and has been great so far. Put in for home time well in advance and that will also help. Policy is 7 days but they prefer at least 10 day notice. You should really put in at least 2 weeks ahead of time. We do it a month ahead.

7) you can take the trucks right to your front door. If it won't fit at your house you can park it someplace else just let them know where it's at and that it's secure.

8) another subject that will be highly dependent on your FM. Get a bad one and you will sit awhile after each load waiting for the next load. With a good FM you will have pre assignments before you even get to your destination with current load. Our new FM now has had a pre plan for us at the latest, half way through a current load. She's been great at keeping us moving.

9) well they don't come with flat screens and massage chairs if that's what your wondering haha. They aren't bad. Nothing super fancy. The radios are set up for XM radio which is nice. All trucks have bunk heaters. We also have side view cameras with a (roughly 5x7) screen on the dash so you can see your passenger side blind spots which is nice in traffic and blind side backing. Most trucks are pre wired for CBs and they will install a power inverter for free if you supply it. International has auto powered windows which I like. Air powered 5th wheel jaw unlock switches. Overall they are equipped pretty well I think.

Well I hope that answers about everything. Feel free to ask more or more detail on something. Plenty of us around here to help. Good luck and hope to see you out on the road!

 

There is a guy named nonocraig on here who works there with his wife.
He seems like an honest fellow.
Hed probably be glad to answer any of your questions and not be looking for a referral bonus........

 

Have you looked into expediting (FedEx Custom Critical , Panther ) ? It's a much better lifestyle . Less miles earning more money . Much easier parking with a straight truck . Some campgrounds even accept them . With a straight truck there's no drop and hooks , looking for empties that somebody left with defects . Expedite loads are quickly loaded and unloded . No long waits at docks . http://www.successfulexpediters.com/madsen/madsen_home_page.htm

 

1.) We will be getting our CDLs from a tech school here in our home town so that we don't have to pay extra costs and whatnot. With that said, how does USX handle company training of teams? You will each train separately, then get on a truck together. You will then be paid at the lower newbie rate for 8 weeks before you are bumped up to regular pay.

2.) How long does training last? Training lasts 2.5-3 weeks, normally.

3.) Where are their terminals located? There are terminals all over the place.

4.) What is the closest terminal to Alabama? What part of Alabama and why do you ask?

5.) What are the trucks governed at these days? I know that a couple of companies have raised their speeds since I came off the road. 65MPH

And lastly, here are a couple questions that aren't company related.
1.) What would be the correct size inverter to handle a microwave and a refrigerator that fits in the sleeper? I'm thinking a 2000w should handle it, but I'm not completely sure. Actually that IS a company question. 2000watts is not allowed. The max is 1750, I think. I have a 1500w.

2.) It's been 8 years since I was last on the road and so I have forgotten some things I knew then. Can anyone tell me where a good CB shop is located? We will be wanting to install a CB and have it tuned and such. Can't help ya there.

 

Hey, I don't know what I would have said that had anything to do with weight. All you have to do is pass the physical and agility test. The think that catches some bigger people is the duck walk where you have to squat down and take three steps with your hear below 44 inches. Not that big a deal for most. We do not have a terminal in Alabama that I am aware of but Austell GA, Tupulo MS and Jackson MS bracket AL

Also, a bit more info on training. You will each go out with a trainer for 120 hrs btw and then be put together to team for eight weeks at, as Vinsanity said, a reduced pay rate. Then, if you have hazmat, you will go to .48 a mile split

 

I know there are a few companies I have heard of doing BMI testing and sleep studies for sleep apnea. USX does not do that.

Also, at least on the Cascadia's and ProStars, we do have back massagers built into the driver seats. Well, it is called backcycler, pretty nice.