If your choice is Marshfield, or Gary for any extended period, choose Marshfield. The Hammond/Gary area is downright dangerous. In Marshfield you can take a walk outside of your motel without worry. If they are using the motel I stayed at during orientation it was pretty decent, even had a pool. The new remodeled terminal is nice, but I miss the old driver's room. You could look out over the maintenace bays to see how work was progressing and the set up was perfect to get drivers talking. Now they have a huge room with four t.v.s and everything is broken up. The showers are a huge improvement. Hometime fleets depend on your need. I did 7/4-7/3 for just about 2.5 years. Slip seating is a pain and so was the drive from the house to the drop yard. It was 130 mile commute each way. On the other side, if you need consistent time at home it is the way to go. I averaged about $32,000 a year and was home 11 days a month. My daughter was in grade school and it was important for daddy to be home. I liked the 7/4 fleet because I was out long enough to make money, but home consistently and long enough to be able to do things as a family.
Your a real help preacherman. Thanks, that helps a lot I think to begin with ill do otr untill i finally have a wife then we shall talk it over.
By the time you have a wife you should have enough time in that the two of you could just go together. Then when "baby makes three" switch to hometime.
Do they have converters in the trucks...so you can plug tv. etc in? Or do you have to purchase and install?
They have specific inverters you buy from them, payroll deduction, and pay them to install it. If you switch trucks, you pay them to move it. Also from what I hear, they only stay on for so many hours then cycle off for so many hours. You're better off buying 12v receptacle plug in inverters like most of us have.
Ok Plenz...how do I get you as a trainer? I have really appreciated all the info and knowledge you have passed along on here Nice to get honest straightforward answers. In fact everyone on this site has been awesome in answering questions everyone has had on here. Roehl is soon going to have a new trainee and frankly I am feeling less anxious and nervous. I have had experience at CRE and it was awful... long story but, I have enough experience to be dangerous and I want to feel like when I pull out on the road not only will I be safe, but everyone around me. Thanks to all the input y'all have given us "Wannabe's"!
I guess I will find out where to purchase these items... my husband bought a converter and installed it himself when we leased a truck thru CRE...plenty of problems ensued afterward as from what I understood it wasn't allowed... anyway... Just was curious about what to do about these things. I know there are a lot of gadgets out there for truck drivers...just need the basics and to have it done right since I'm not good at installing anything but needle and thread in a sewing machine...LOL
Some of the newer may already have a plug in spot for a TV or other items. My 2012 pro-star had several plugs available and I ended up just buying a 150w adapter for my laptop...the rest of my items I simply purchased ones that plugged in with a car 12v plug, so no need to have Roehl install anything. Also, you may get a truck from a previous driver and it may have an adapter left behind (you never know). I would put off buying anything until you actually have your truck. If you want to see a day-by-day count of training (phase 1 & 2) you can read my post here: http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...orientation-training-my-daily-experience.html Good luck to you!
I know they want you out with a trainer asap. They have been telling us, you go home for a day or two, sometimes two or three, not very often 4, and then you head out with your trainer. Im pretty sure if you don't take your own vehicle out there, if available, you can leave with a trainer from Marshfield. Not 100% on that though.
