Yeah, I hear ya! Last week Adam said I was first on his list and fifth overall. Something tells me it will be well into October or later before we get in. Oh well, hurry up & wait!
I work in the TCD division. They run mostly east of I-35. But sometimes you will get a broker load that send you more west. You can run Canada, get a passcard not a passport. A passcard is a lot cheaper. I have been averaging 2300-2700 a week. They keep you busy, always have a preplan before you get to the consignee. The EPU's work great, mine will freeze you out, I set my thermo in the middle. The collision systems takes some getting use to. Its a very nice feature, you set the cruise at 62 and will slow you slow to the car/truck in front of you. I don't find any hassle about working on the unit. You get use to sleeping. Actually you sleep better when it runs. Its a no-touch freight, hire a lumper and pay them with comm-check. Drop / Hook depends on the shipper. I had 4 drop n hooks this week. I am very happy with Maverick. FM are very understanding when you want to get home. Ex.. My little girl started kindergarden this fall. Put in a request for the time off and got it. They are a very professional company to work for.
School is going good - just finished week 5 of 10. Carried 98% in the class. So far, we've done couple / uncouple, straight-line backing, and just started blind-side parallel parking. I haven't had any problem with any of it so far... even parallel I was shown once, then got it in the box on the first try (not perfectly straight - but it was in). Ok, the next couple times I had it all ####ed out of shape and I hit a cone with the drive tires - so I still have some practicing to do - but I have to say, I think I can handle the truck pretty good overall. I was amazed at the number of students who were having trouble just doing a straight-line backing. Granted, our site is not perfectly flat (a good number of pot holes), but out of our group of 6, about 1/2 were having trouble figuring out which way to turn to adjust and would get all jacked out of shape. I got to the point where I was bored and told the instructor to move the truck and get it jacked, and let me get it straightened out, just for the challenge. That was more fun, and I got it done - no sweat. We'll see how I do when it comes to shifting - but I don't think that will be a problem either at this point.
Exhawkeye, thanks for the info! Now please call tell the company to get some more trainers so we can get to orientation and get out there run with you. Hope to meet you soon. Drive safe!
good miles this week and last. Tulsa to Edmonton Alberta Canada to Denver, then to Limon CO for a repower going back to Edmonton this week and now back in Denver. Getting to take a break here till Saturday. Hang in there guys, they'll get to you!
Ready, Set & Go! Just got the word that I will be in orientation on the 28th for TCD! Headed down there on Saturday! Pucker time begins!
I remember running reefer 10 years ago and depending on where you were picking up or delivering to was a PITA!!!! The thing I hated the most was sitting in the docks waiting 4 + hours on some loads only having to haul ### and wait longer to get unloaded. Has this changed much ? I do know a lot depends on the company. Thats one reason I have been looking at flats and not going back to reefer.
