That's very true. Have to run pretty hard for those numbers. There's no time to stop and smell the roses. The company only gets paid when you bump docks. Definitely need some good fortune to catch traffic just right to miss big city rush hours on those long hauls.
LMAO Nerves for you.......Routine for them. Hey, don't forget to ask about their approved schools in GA for me. I don't want to blow that one.
Nope, not nerves. I used to get up at 0300 for 30 years so this is actually sleeping in for me....LOL Ummm...not to be a pain but, CALL them! I have just a wee bit to focus on right now and I'm SURE I WILL forget..... Ok folks, gotta run now. Have a great day everyone!
Hey Chris!! Great update! on day two. Your training is gonna fly by and the next thing you know you will be getting the keyes to your own rig! Very Cool! At least thru all this you have kept a good sense of humor and are having fun-makes learning that much easier IMHO (HA ya think????) if you can have a good time!! Great advice from Mike NC about miles and same thing I said to ORG- take every load, even short miles, they do add up and your FM or dispatcher will hopefully take notice you will not refuse loads. Keep your left door shut. Another bit of advice I have seen repeatedly on TTR. Good lord man what WILL you do on your 10 hr resets??? You said you generally sleep 3-5 hours- I hope you have lots of good books and you have internet WHEW! Can just see you pacing the T/S lots waiting for your reset to be over to hit the road! OF course I have heard you have to be careful in some T/S--them LL will follow you!! *thinking get a big tire thumper to beat them back* LOLOL!!
Great posts Chris. I was actually planning on trucking and getting on with WS as well but God is taking my wife and I in a different direction right now. It was always a desire of mine to drive OTR but as I said I believe God has something different for us. I will continue to follow your journey. You do an excellent job of telling your story. Thanks
I drove OTR for WS and whenever I went to a shipper or receiver, I put on my clean WS hat, tucked in my shirt and said, Good day!, Sir and Maam and almost always had pleasant responses back. Help other drivers when you can. I was getting unloaded at an Averitt terminal and saw this driver getting very frustrated trying to shift his tandems because the pins were going back in, I just went over and held the release bar and he was surprised and thankful for the assist. If you want miles, I don't think you'll have much trouble. Conover was my home terminal and my first trip was all the way to Helena, MT. After home time I would always get a load to SLC or Montana. Once out west, they will run you west coast until you ask to come home. Lots of beautiful scenery though, Montana, Idaho, Utah, Vegas at night, Columbia river gorge. Unloads where I had to assist were pretty rare. Worst one was where I had to deliver at a small furniture store in Utah. Two women were there and I wasn't going to back a 53' into this little shopping center. I parked on the street and the three of us grunted about a dozen pieces of furniture 50 feet. Drivers that run regional carry a heavy duty dolly. Have you met Tim Connor at Conover? He was safety manager in 2006 when I went through orientation and is a great guy. Keep posting when you can and ENJOY the ride!
Hey Cruiser09 looks like you are pretty new to the Truckers Report so WELCOME!! Great info for Chris as he is starting off at W/S! This is a pretty laid back thread-sometimes even FUN!! but informational also! This whole site is pretty great! I joined back a few months ago as a family Member was a newbie to this industry and I gotta say the information was so helpful! It's great to hear from us newbies and your experience is what helps to make family or drivers that much better!!! Welcome again!! Hey Wedge Good Morning!!!!