Profile For Rip40

Anne,

I agree with you about the straight trucks I don't think that makes much sense, BUT I do agree with Spencer on the local route.

Heres my reason: When out driving OTR, driving is the easiest part, especially if you've been driving a vehicle (car/4 wheeler) for a while and not new to having a license. Really, the majority of your time is driving in pretty much a straight line with the cruise control on for hours. That isn't the difficult part. The problems that most people have are with things like judging space for their 70 ft vehicle, backing, docking, etc. When driving locally, you are experiencing the spacing, backing, docking n such 5-8 times (<-- rough estimate) A DAY. OTR, you experience it once or twice every day or two. (I am aware that there are days where you experience it more but you get the point.)

I had experience with both local and OTR in my training and I learned to be more comfortable with my truck when driving locally than OTR. They really are two different beasts.

Yeah, the Air Farce has one. Using their Indoor Voice, "Let's Call It A Day!" I'm half kidding! The USAF always gave us a ride when we needed one, and I always heard their bases had outstanding golf courses.

LOL PackRat, I'm gonna need you stop picking on the AF.

And yes, we have some of the best golf courses, dining facilities, hotels AND POOLS.

Hey B,

Congrats on the CDL!!

My 2¢, you'll be just fine. If you are as attentive with your diet as you say, that shouldn't be a problem. I did OTR team driving and although there wasn't a lot of down time, didn't have any issue (other than my own self motivation) in regards to exercise.

You're gonna do GREAT!

IDMtnGal,

Thank you!!!

This is great news! Please, tell us more. Who are you working for? Are you OTR? Are you regional? What kind of job is it that you are doing? We love hearing the success stories from you guys, and since we hear so little from you, we don't really know what you are up to. We are all ears!

Oh Boy! Well, I started my training with Mesilla Valley Transportation, based out of El Paso, TX. I initially was regional OTR going from TX to California to Denver, back down to TX and around again. That was for the first week, then I hopped on an OTR train that took me all over! That first week I drove from TX through LA, MS, FL & AL to GA which was great because besides TX, I’d only ever been to 2 of those states before so I was so excited to experience traveling through them. Our normal route was TX - TN (Nashville or Memphis usually) or AR - Cali back and forth for the duration of our clock. I was as far north a Missouri but was asleep for that stop and then on the west coast went up to Portland, OR. (Man what a beautiful country we all reside in!! That drive was my absolute favorite.) I caught on to most things very quickly which was a good surprise to my trainer. We did mostly drop and hook dry van freight. After all of that driving, I can tell you without a doubt that I LOVE THIS JOB! The troubles that I had while on the road were sometimes hectic, nerve-wracking or down right STUPID but I learned something with each and every experience and I wouldn’t trade them for the world.

Some of the crazy?

-We were stuck in a truckstop with no power for 3 days during that ice storm in TX. Not sure if I'm supposed to say this.... we were carrying GENERATORS in our truck that time. Talk about a kick in the tail!!! Not much to learn about that but thought it was ironic.

-Wipers got shut in under the hood, lost both had to sit for most of the day to get them repaired…. Lessoned learned…. speak up when you see something out of place. (I saw it about to happen as it was my trainers accident and I’m not sure why I didn’t say something…. I just didn’t BUT that set BOTH of us back.)

-Needed a part for the truck, spent 3 days in the truck waiting on Dispatch and Repair company to get their heads out trying to get a part… so made the call to have the part delivered by another company driver coming my way for repair to be made at the truck stop. I would have been waiting another 2 days if I waited for the Repair people to find said part…. Lesson that I learned form here! Think outside of the box when solving problems you encounter. <— Just like I read here in the forum!!

Outside of these, I had a tire blow but was unaware as it wrapped itself so tightly around the axle. Got stuck in the snow and locked in a customers yard until the tow truck could come the next day. Fixed my own taillight that needed a little rewiring. (My dad told me that all of my “tinkering” with random stuff around the house was annoying BUT LOOK DAD, IT CAME IN HANDY!!!!!!)

The STUPID?

Experienced a “Sun Down Town”. I honestly didn’t even know what the heck that was until I was there. Got right back in the truck after using the loo and kept it moving…....Lesson…. You can’t fix Stupid. So, just keep pressing on.

A Disgusting trainer that thought it was okay to hit on his trainee, put me in uncomfortable situations and say SUPER inappropriate things while we were driving. <— I reported him as soon as we got back to the yard and requested a new trainer. Got the FANTASTIC one that took me through the rest of my training!…….Lesson…… You’ll find these type of people everywhere. You know, the ones that want to get in the way of your goals and ambitions. Screw those people… I don’t have time for it, so get them out of your way and just keep it moving.

So, Now.

You might remember that I had an offer from Schneider earlier on. Well, left MVT since my training was over. My Husband and I got hired to Jet-Set for Schneider as a team (This team was always the plan, I just wanted to be able to stand on my own two feet as a trucker.) and we start in August.

You guys have honestly been the biggest help in the world!!

Thank you

Well, I'm back! I made it and I only cried once!!!

I went through 3 months of training with a local carrier. There were times when I didn't want to go back to work from my 34 but damn it, I pushed through and did SO WELL!

Thank you to all of the advice and suggestions that I received! The knowledge from this forum had me super ready and although there were Real Life events that I couldn't prepare for, I got a great insight on what to expect and man did it blow my trainers mind.

THANK YOU!!!

Great Job today!!

Thank for the update and keep going dude!! Sounds like you're doing great!

If you have military background most companies consider that a plus. Have you also put in an application for CFI?

Military time is definitely a plus! I haven't looked into CFI Big Scott. I'll keep them in mind if/when I'm looking again. Thank you!

I know OS. I shot myself for sure. I have a hard time with my knee jerk reaction of telling too much of the story, I suppose. The back story is that I have been overseas for the last 14 years. My license had been "verified" by military police in order for me to have my license where I was. I got back here, did some registering with the MVD in New Mexico, no red flags or questions were asked. I registered for trucking school and they asked for DL information multiple times saying they "couldn't pull anything up" I figured since I had a clean record and have been out of the states until 2019, that was probably the issue. I went to the MVD to get my CDL permit and the clerk says that it was cancelled 10 years ago! I asked why but there was zero information in the system as to why, so they immediately reinstated it and I went on about my business. I wasn't sure what was going to show up on my MVR and I didn't want something to pop up and be made a liar.

Schneider was great but I scared myself out of that opportunity. I really like to be thorough and know what I'm doing before taking charge of things and I just couldn't see past my own fear. Luckily, the recruiter was awesome and she said to contact her when I'm ready. (Fingers-crossed the job will still be there)

I had been in contact with companies but some were seriously non responsive and also maybe waiting a week for a reply from them was rushing it? I'm simply eager to get started. I clicked on Robs link and have been getting plenty of dings which is awesome. I really thought that I already had gone through that link. (DUH ME!)

Mesilla- I wrote it all down. 16cpm along with the mentor's miles as we will be a team. Then at 3 months, its bumped up to 19cpm for the 4th 5th and 6th months. The recruiter did mention that as a solo driver after 1 year I could make as much as 40cpm which I still thought to be low but I'll get more information on Monday. Now, that I hear that Mesilla is reputable from other parts of the country, I'll continue with them as they are close to home.

I don't have anyone to get information from in this industry and its nerve-wracking and hard to feel like you're not just making decisions but making the right decisions. I'm sure this won't be the last time I get on here feeling frazzled! So I really do appreciate all of you for taking the time out of your day to reply back to me.

First, I have seen you, Old School and Rob T., everywhere here. Thank you for taking the time to respond and I apologize for the confusion.

Heres my list:

Crete, Navajo Express, Swift (Licensing problem), Pride, US Express (need 3 months experience), Sain, Roehl (Isn't hiring for students right now per their phone number), Estes, JB Hunt (need 3 months experience), Mountain Valley, Central Freight, CRST (Extra one with licensing problem), Schneider was the JetSet company and Mesilla Valley Transport is the current company that I've ?Maybe? chosen.

Phew. I have applied to, contacted via email or called every one of these places. I also have an active application on Pulse. I would have sworn that I did apply to the link Rob but I'm going to do it again now.

I think that I need to be more vague in the application instead of opting in with the license information that I put in there. I'll start there, I just hate feeling like I'm lying.

Hi all,

I've been a lurker for a little while and am excited to make my first post. I've been reading and reading and am finally feeling able to contribute in my little way but I have concerns that I'd like some feedback on. I"M READY TO SCREAM! * It took since December to finally narrow down a job. (I know I must be patient but I'm excited) But, when you're in school and they talk about how easily you'll get a job, it's setting you up for failure when you get too excited about it and you are from a small place not a large city.

* Companies wouldn't hire me because of my location, or the requirement of experience that I don't have.

* I'm realizing how crazy the industry can be- I almost had a job 2 times but something went wrong. 1st I told he truth- I was told that the MVD had my license cancelled at some point and although my records show no revoking or suspension, I lost 1 job opportunity. 2nd I read the fine print- I was about to become a JetSet Trucker but as I graduated driving school in December, I was looking for a good mentorship program. I was reassured by the recruiter that it would be fine more than once but because of this forum (THANKS YALL!!!) I read the fine print twice... 18 days of training, 5 with a trainer then I was to be off on my own. Yeah, I'd like to keep my BRAND NEW career afloat and not die or kill anyone.... so, no thank you.

* I got a job with a smaller company that Requires 6 months worth of Mentorship!!! **YAY** They even travel up to Canada and I have a passport at the ready!! **Double YAY**

* I feel like they're taking the **** in regards to pay because of our location in the southwest..... very very south west. 16 cpm is that normal? I feel like it isn't when comparing it to the other companies that I've looked into. Moving up to 19 cpm after 20,000 miles and the most you can make is 40cpm after 1 year as a solo driver.

Now, if you feel that I should take a seat and suck it up, feel free to say so... I have tough skin and am not afraid to be wrong. I'm just feeling frazzled by this whole process. I appreciate your input and really love the content here and I can't wait to share my experiences!

SJ