Orientation 02/29/12

What I did about average mph was if my miles were to high I would shave some off. I probably did that 90% of the time because I would take off 5 minutes here or there for driving.

Sent from my DROIDX

 

I've heard nothing about the KW thing. I talked to Joe Lyons in Fuel Economy last week to ask him how to purchase DEF. He told me that my KW had been repaired and reassigned. He also told me that they had discovered why my fuel mileage had plummeted since April. Apparently my EGR cooler was cracked and it was leaking diesel (from the REGEN burner supply line) into the stack. Additionally, there was another leak under the truck which was dripping onto the tranny and exhaust and burning off. This caused me to go from 6.5MPG average in March to 5.7 in April, to a whopping 5.1 in May. I'd been saying it was a problem with the truck but oh no, it's always just driving habits. Anyhow, good news was that he told me he's putting my truck in a new pilot program next month of about 20 Freightliners. We are getting equipped with the adaptive governors like Heartland runs that will adjust in real time allowing between 62-65mph depending on mpg.

In another piece of good news, I just was informed by my FM that effective July 3rd I'm getting a raise to $.36/mile. That was above the $.34/mile I would be making at the end of this month for finishing my C1 contract. She said it's part of a new retention policy targeting drivers whove been with USA at least one year without accidents or write ups. She said those selected were getting a 2 cent raise regardless of current pay.

Sarge, sorry to hear about your Safety chat. I had one too one time and it sucked. I can tell you that during your first 90 days they will be watching you like the KGB and if you so much as fart in the wrong direction, somebody will be calling you. Try to implement whatever changes they tell you even if you disagree because each time they find one you will be in the spotlight longer. When I had my "chat" I had to call Andrea or Tara for the next 3 months to check in until I had a whole month with no errors or violations. It's embarrassing and a PITA. My best advice is just to do your best to run legally and regardless of how silly it seems, log whatever they tell you.

 

I think the KWs and the pete's are getting close to the end of their life cycles with USA Truck. I suspect in a year or two most will be gone. It was a fluke USA Truck purchased them to start with. I doubt there will be anymore once these are retired.

 

That's what my trainer has brand new cascadia. Nice truck but I want a new prostar if they wasn't auto. I'm in team phase so just a couple weeks ill see how the company really works lol. Congrats chem and sarge on yalls raises. I'm starting at 26cpm but if the pay has gone to 28cpm maybe ill get lucky when I upgrade. Not holding my breath though lol thanks for the post guys y'all give me hope its going to be an alright year

 

Hello guys

Just got out of Orientation last friday. Called in and they said call back on tuesday. Been hearing that it takes three weeks to get a trainer now. Have you all heard about the same thing.

Thanks from Asheboro NC

 

Yeah it took me about 2 weeks so yeah as many people that are coming up and so little trainers we have you will have a wait but at least they will be paying you

 

3 weeks, hmmmm. The last 4 USA Truck trainers I spoke to have not spoken well of the company in our conversations. Either USA Truck is losing trainers in droves or they are losing so many drivers the current trainers can't keep up with the new hires. It has not been all that long ago that the longest you might had to wait was a week to 10 days. I heard last week that the unassigned tractor % was way above 10% again. With all the new upgrades coming on this should not be. You can't run a trucking company like this. With all these empty tractors there is no way the customers are being serviced on time. The company I now work for has to the best of my knowledge one common customer with USA Truck. I won't say who here, but I did ask about USA Truck to someone at one of their shipping points. I was told over the last 6 months they have missed a lot of pickups, and are in danger of losing the account. I told another driver at the TA in Harrisburg Pa last week that at this current rate I give the company 2 years tops. Something has to give and soon, you can't keep losing millions, have this high driver turnover rate, this level of dismal service and expect to survive in this cut throat business. I recommend to all you current drivers keep enough emergency cash on you to get you and your belongings home from anywhere in the country. Lets be clear here, read this before you say it can't happen. It has happened before and can happen again. In all honesty I doubt the current management gives a crap if you get home or not! The tractor and trailers will be repossessed anyway and that's the banks problem NOT theirs.