SEC Auto Transport/LMR Trucking

Do you actually drive for LMR or just broker though them? I think I’ll be with SEC running the northeast. How long have you been with the company? Where do you run?

 

Oooh, the northeast. Have fun come January or February. You'll probably hate the job in the winter up north but if you stick it out you might get addicted by next spring. Seriously though , good luck and be safe. Always pin your decks and check your height. Get the delivery signed for and hightail it out of there before they change their mind. Don't dilly daily, you'd be surprised how little some places look at the cars you deliver while others will wipe every bird turd off like you're trying to hide stuff.

 

Well I’ve started my training at SEC. First day is in the books, picked up in Greer heading to Brunswick. Feel like I’ve learned a lot, I think I'm going to love this, harder work and all. The hardest part in loading was how to position myself in the car to be able to see the front and back tires. Really struggled getting the first two up on the head rack. The guy training me is awesome, very patient and helpful. Once I got myself situated in the car and could actually see things started to go smoother. I know I’m going to sleep well tonight though... HOT HOT day and using muscles that aren’t used to working in the LTL linehaul world LOL. Thanks to y’all for the advice and I’m looking forward to getting the experience to hang with y’all.

 

Best piece of advice I got when I was new: hold the wheel overhand in the bottom center. Gives you a 'steering centered' reference, and prevents oversteering, as it only allows a bit more than a 1/4 turn in either direction.

 

That’s a very good piece of advice. Thanks!!

 

So after a couple weeks in what is your opinion?

 

So far I think I’m insane. This is the hardest thing I’ve ever done, there’s so much more to think about than hooking a set and rolling. I’ve already damaged a car (stupid mistake) and quit about 50 times in my head. But I love this. I can’t explain it. I’m getting the mental and physical exercise I’ve been craving and if I can run the circle I want I can make more money than at OD and be home on the weekends. It’s going to involve running my 14 out most every day but that’s no problem. The company pays for parking so I can run my shift out knowing I have a place to park.

Speaking of parking, that’s a whole new wrinkle with overhang on the back. It took me 20 minutes to back into my spot last night, I had another truck behind me and I had to inch back bit by bit to not hit his trailer and then slowly slide my 5th wheel in so I didn’t stick out as far and I was unsure of my distance between cars on the tractor and trailer.

All that said this job is a lot more fun than what I was doing. For better or worse I’m all in.

 

I feel your pain brother, all except the truck stop parking. Keep at it as is will get better every day.

 

If at all possible , try to park on the outside perimeter. Quite a few people back their trailers until they bump the trailer behind them . With you , that would be your rear car that they bump.

 

Thinking back on it I should have nosed in, by the time I got up today backing out would have been a breeze. Only thing that sucked was how much I was hanging out of the spot. Was worried about getting hooked by the guy to the left of me when he left. Angled parking.