System Transport, Spokane Washington

i have worked for systems for 4 months now went threw there training and went good great trainer and was in my own truck after 6 weeks going great they are keeping me moving. great company to work for.

 

Week 1 01/28 thru 02/03/09


As I mentioned before, I met my trainer on 01/28 and headed to Kent, WA and then to Portland, OR to complete the load he was under when he got me in Spokane. He drove the first day and then I got my chance behind the wheel on 01/29. I drove to the consignee and we delivered the steel we had. We made our final delivery on 01/30 and we put in our empty call and waited for about 30 minutes to get a load offer in Portland for a delivery back to Spokane. So we headed on down the road for our pick. Once we got to the office and checked we were inform that the load was canceled. EEERRRR! So we waited and waited and then waited some more. Finally we got a load offer. PU in Toualitan, OR and deliver in Washington DC 40k pounds of lumber to deliver on or before 02/04. So we were off. We got loaded and head on down the road. I drove to Troutdale, OR and then my trainer took over and drove to the Oregon/Idaho boarder that night.

It's funny how you can drive a truck in school and then get behind the wheel of another truck with 40k pounds on the trailer and it changes everything you have learned before. Needless to say it is like starting all over again. First thing I noticed, these trucks are geared a lot differently then the schools trucks. Instead of revving up the motor to 1500 rpm's for all gears you need to shift this truck in the low gears at about 600 to maybe 1000 rpm's. So I have missed some shifts up and down the gear box so far. I will say this though, my trainer has not yelled or given me anything more than a hard time about it. In between trying to learn how to float gears and clutching it has at times been very humorous and humbling at times. Secondly, in school we mainly drove 27' trailers and you get used to it. Now I am pulling a 48' flatbed and that added 21" makes a big difference when making turns. On my first day a curbed the trailer twice. Thankfully nothing more than a bruised pride. I have confidence in my ability to drive but the first couple days on this trip were at time frustrating and at others out right embarrassing.

On day two I started the day behind the wheel after we got up and headed down the road. First lessoned learned about my trainer. When he gets ups, he gets behind the wheel and we are moving. No breakfast, coffee, no nothing. We are moving. So I have learned to get up before him so I can brush the teeth and get some coffee to start my day. I drove for 11 hours today and covered 640 miles. It was a good day. We finished the day in Nebraska after stopping at the Wal Mart in Sydney, NE to get some supplies.

On 02/01 we were rolling across Iowa and I mentioned the Super Bowl was going to on today and it would be nice to listen to the game on the radio. Lesson number 2: No radio, no cell phone, no cruise control and no CB while I drive. These things are earned. So our day is mostly filled with us talking and swapping stories or my trainer talking to his friend on the phone while I drive. So my trainer asked when the game started and I told him 3 pm. At 3 pm on the nose he turned on the radio and said I earned some radio time. YES! So I got to drive and listen to the game as we crossed Iowa. At about half time I pulled of at a closed scale to go pee. When I was done and came back to the truck my trainer had the game on the tv and said, "lets sit here and watch the rest of the game." Sounds good to me. What a good game and to be able to watch it roadside on I80 was memorable at a minimum. When the game was over my trainer took over and we made our way to the I80 truck stop, the worlds largest truck stop. Impressive to say the least. We spent the night there and closed out a very productive day.



It was on to Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland and then Washington, DC. My trainer said he wanted to drive once we got the city and so I went to the jump seat. We made our delivery on 02/03 and put in our empty call. We waited, waited some more and got a call from dispatch. How close is the nearest truck stop? HUH?!? Yep the dreaded NO FREIGHT came across the computer. So hear I sit in Jessup, MD at the TA waiting.



I closed out my first week of training with 1368 miles behind the wheel. I earned my radio time and got to use the cruise control at my discretion (but not in a city) during my first week. My trainer said that is pretty quick considering his last 2 trainees took about 4 weeks to get there.

 

does system hire out of florida

 

Only 40,000 lbs?
Who's your trainer? He sounds like he has a good program.

 

bMac how about an update, how's it going out there.

 

how long do you have exp. to driver for system?? do you have to have flatbed exp.?? do they hiring out of detroit???

 

Anybody know what kind of truck you will end up with after you solo out with System? Their website shows 379 Pete's, do these go to experienced drivers only? What are the chances of a newbie getting a 379 Pete or a KW W-900? I know it wont be a new one, just wondering what kind of truck i'm likely to be driving if i go there, also what tranny's do they mainly have 10 or 13 speeds? Thanks.

 

System will hire right out of school, not sure about your area, but i would think you'll be alright.

 

bMac that is a sweet looking KW in that photo, is that a System truck? Your trainers truck?

 

I am finishing week 2 and will have it on here this week.

Joetro - Per my trainers request, no names.

BigR - No 379's. The one on the website is the only one and it is not on the road. They mostly have KW T600's, Internationals (from what I hear they are retiring them as we go through the year) and Volvos (the next to go, again from what I hear). The newer trucks are all KW T660's. My trainer has one and it is pretty nice. All of the trucks run a straight 10 tranny. They take a little while to get used to because you will shift at very low rpm's.
I am expecting either a International or Volvo when I get done but I really don't care. I just need a truck and a dispatch and I will be happy.

The KW in the picture is located at the Iowa 80 TS. It is inside the TS as well as the Pete and a Freightliner with a 53' trailer inside too. Pretty cool place.

Alright, more to come.