Comments By Ron J.

I have a quick question! Our trailer yard is extremely tight with only a couple of inches in between each trailer, so in order to drop the trailer you have to drop the landing gear first then back into the spot. but my question is once your in your spot and only have to finish going backwards can i pull the release handle then? I usually just duck and waddle my way and pull it but i dont see another guys doing the same thing leading me to believe they pull the release handle before backing it all the way in? is this smart or should I just continue to back it all the way in and just duck under the trailers and pull it? Thanks

So I have been solo for about two weeks now and feel like ive been doing and okay job so far. Today I was near Dayton Ohio leaving the plant, theres a right turn lane a lane in the middle to go straight and a left turn lane. I was in the left turn lane waiting for the light to turn green once the light turns green i go to turn into and as all of you know I have to swing into the opposite lane to make my turn and not hit the median well as im crossing into the other lane while making my turn a truck from the center (straight lane) came to the right of me and i quickly jerked left and hit the brakes barley missing him causing my trailer to just touch the sign on the end of the median ( no damage to the sign or the trailer barely even touch the edge of the sign) so i backed up a little away from the sign and finished making my turn. It was a real morale killer and ive been dwelling on it all day. Did I do something wrong? was there something I could of done better?

Thank you everyone for taking the time out of your day to give me help on making this decision its greatly appreciated @ Errol V. @Old School @Turtle @Don @Greg M. @Delco Dave. Ill definitely be going with Universal and as @Greg M. stated I will be going to mostly Michigan to grab parts and then bringing them back to Indiana in either a drop and hook or a live unload and live load. Again I really appreciate everyone sharing there knowledge with me, ill keep you guys updated in the future.

Hi Anne thanks for the reply! I graduated from tdi in south bend with a 154 hour certificate. The only reason i dont want to go otr for training is 14 days doing mostly highway driving i feel like wont properly equip me with the proper skills i need in my local position, where with universal my training will be here in town for 6 weeks doing the same job ill be doing as a solo giving me the ins and outs of the job. Both jobs are hauling parts to GM just different companys. Universal is also a union if that makes a difference.

Graduated trucking school and got my class A cdl with tanker and doubles and triples endorsement, shortly after I started applying for local jobs around my area and quickly heard back from Pam and Universal Logistics. Im stuck on deciding which job to take Universal pays 22 and hour while Pam pays 25.50 an hour benefits are better with Universal and universal offers a 5000 dollar sign on. The part that makes me most conflicted is that Universal will have me with a trainer for 5 to 6 weeks doing the job that I will be doing solo and no otr and pam will only send me otr with a mentor for 14 days and then send me off solo to the local route. Money isnt really a big issue for me im not chasing the money just chasing a more enjoyable career than I previously had, I also want to set myself up to be successful and to not make any potential mistakes in the future when solo and I feel that 14 days otr just isnt enough time and experience to then send me out making me think that the pay cut for universal might be the way to go. Any helpful information or your thought on what I should do is greatly appreciated and helpful, thanks!

Hay, Ron .. and welcome to Trucking Truth !

Is this 'Universal Logistics' that you speak of, the one in Chardon, Ohio? PAM is really big in Ohio, as well. Had you put your 'location' in the profile screen, it would be easier for the veterans on here, to reply. Perhaps you can update that?

Why don't you want to start OTR, anyway? 14 DAYS is a dip in the pond, imho. OTR >> That's the recommended way to go, for starters, and the vets & mods will explain that to you, shortly.

Anyhow... If you'd provide location, and answer the above . . I can give some feedback; as can the seasoned hands on here.

Thanks if ya can, Ron! AND YEAH ~~~!! Congrats on completion and getting your CDL, too! Care to share who schooled ya? 160 Certificate? The more info YOU give, the more the mods can give back. :)

~ Anne ~

ps: Anymore you could share, re: your training . . . would help these vets/mods GUIDE ya!

Graduated trucking school and got my class A cdl with tanker and doubles and triples endorsement, shortly after I started applying for local jobs around my area and quickly heard back from Pam and Universal Logistics. Im stuck on deciding which job to take Universal pays 22 and hour while Pam pays 25.50 an hour benefits are better with Universal and universal offers a 5000 dollar sign on. The part that makes me most conflicted is that Universal will have me with a trainer for 5 to 6 weeks doing the job that I will be doing solo and no otr and pam will only send me otr with a mentor for 14 days and then send me off solo to the local route. Money isnt really a big issue for me im not chasing the money just chasing a more enjoyable career than I previously had, I also want to set myself up to be successful and to not make any potential mistakes in the future when solo and I feel that 14 days otr just isnt enough time and experience to then send me out making me think that the pay cut for universal might be the way to go. Any helpful information or your thought on what I should do is greatly appreciated and helpful, thanks!