Comments By SOBER-J

That's crazy isn't it but I believe every word of it. The biggest buck I ever saw was running across the road at a major intersection just in front of a Mcdonalds and hardees.

By the why did you get a message from me? I sent out a few of the private messages just to see if it works and I don't think there is a private message option on my profile. I'd just like to have all the perks from this site that are available.

thanks Sober-J over

I was able to talk to my US Express recruiter this morning, we had a good long chat and went through my 2 page list of questions. I got a lot of things answered. She was just really not sure about how the refresh works and said she would find out for sure next week before she gets back in touch with me. From our talk and what she could tell me I still come to orientation for the Mon - Wed then have an extensive road test and be on my way in my own truck.

So I'm still a bit nervous and really exited all in the same. She also talked to me about being a trainer. After 30 days of safe driving I would be eligible to take out new cdl grads! I have to admit that was unexpected, but the more I think about it though the day the more I think I might be into it.

Well that's down the road a ways. Got a few hurdles of my own to focus on now. Going by DMV in the morning to grab a fresh Cdl book and get to studying. My plan is, if what she is telling me is correct, I'll just sit in the front seat on my bus ride up and play the role of "Road Test Giver". Not going to tell the driver just going to sit back and watch and take notes on any thing and everything that I think will help in my road test.

Here is another concern I have though. As I found out earlier this week many smaller comps (well at least 2 that I know of) do not report to the DAC. So the only place on there is Schneider. I still have all my W2s and a lot of old log books from the 2 comps I was with after Schneider. Problem with one is, dispatcher at that time died a couple years ago and a lot of the office staff has changed. I have to give them a call to make sure they remember me and let them know US will be calling. Guess if no one in the office knows me I will take my W2 down there and find someone that hopefully still there when I was. Then they should be fine with verifying my employment.

The other comp is about an hour away and I just won't have time to go there next week. Long as I get "Comp 2" to verify I will have the 18 months in ten years that I need.

Some of you may end up with me at US Express as your trainer one day. No smoking, no drinking! Be the job. Ha ha

I'm Sober-j over

No problem at all. I did my first year with Schneider. That's when I started driving Big trucks. Before that it was Class B for 7 years. When I left Schneider I came to 2 smaller local companies for a total of 2 more years between them both. So 3 years total.

When I first started talking to the recruiter the refresh was mentioned so I thought I probably be with someone for a few weeks at least. The other day when I talked to her she was asking about if I would drive up or take the bus ticket. When asked what the plan was, meaning do I go to orientation for the 3 days then come home and start with refresh the next week or go straight into the refresh after orientation. That's when she said I would just do an extensive road test then be in a truck.

I wasn't able to talk to her today but she told me earlier that she was working on the 4th so I will definitely know exactly whats going on when I talk to her tomorrow.

Honestly I would be more comfortable going though some type of refresh in a truck before being thrown into a road test. Like I said its been over 5 years since I shifted a gear. I'd really feel better with a chance to get the ring rust off. And I will make sure she knows that next time we talk.

Sober-J over

Definitely sounds like you have the right attitude. When I was in school my trainer was also x military as am I. I always liked the straight forward no nonsense way of communicating. We had one guy that just couldn't take his style, he quit and tried to get the trainer in trouble for picking on him. They even question those of us who were with this trainer and asked if we wanted to switch to a new one. My reply was, I'm here to get my CDL and be a truck driver. His job is to train me. Doesn't matter what approach he takes because if he does his job I'm going to succeed.

Sober-J over

Ah, that makes more since. Yeah sorry if I confused you Tom A.

Sober-J over

Your story reminds me of myself and my wife when I started. I was 32 and married with a 3 year old daughter. Trying to get out of debt and planning to stay a year on the road then get local. Long story short I did just that.

We always talked everyday. Always talked every night before bed and told each other good night and lots of "I love you's". there were times that I could not get by the house but would be only a hour or two away and we would meet and get a motel or sleep in truck together. Also times I was passing though The area but not for my days off and we would meet at the local truck stop. That year (2005) at thanksgiving was an example. We had our dinner in the truck at the local TA. Just me her and my daughter. It wasn't from the TA though. Home cooked from Grannies. Ha ha

Thing about this business is you can get angry or stressed about everything that you cannot do because your apart. But if you get a little creative you can enjoy a lot more than just the home time and still "Be the job."

One of my biggest mistakes was doing exactly what you are about to do. I came in with the plan to do the year then get out and get local. I pretty much wrote the rode off before I even got started and the smaller local companies were a big disappointment. Which is why I been out for over 5 years. I won't get into all the reasons. Just a little advise. Nothing wrong with having a plan. Just not quite as easy to find out the info on local smaller comps.

Enjoy your new career because you are in it too.

Sober-J over

Way to go! Congrats

Sober-J over

Time is almost here for me to get back on the road. I start my orientation July 14 . With US Express just thought I would see what info anyone has. I will be on the Northeast regional that gets me home weekly. I'm a little nervous I have to admit. I haven't shifted a gear in 5 and a half years. From what the recruiter is telling me, and we all know they can be a bit deceptive, orientation 3 days then I take an extensive road test and on my way. Got a friend who still driving local and he's going to let me take his truck around a little just to be able to do some shifting. I imagine it will be like riding a bike but no one is usually sitting beside you observing when you jump back on a bike, right.

Thanks in advance for the input.

I'm Sober-J over

Can you be a bit more specific? On duty not driving is just that. Its for fueling, pre trip inspection, switching trailers, pretty much anything your doing if your not in the sleeper or off duty on your time. Just a hint, I wouldn't spend 8 hours trip planning on the on duty line. I did trip planning on my own time to save hours, off duty line or sleeper berth. Remember you have the 70 hour rule so you don't want to burn your hours with a lot of on duty, and trip planning will get easier and you want take that long after you do it a few weeks.

Hope that helps but I may not be answering exactly what your asking.

Sober-J over

I started my big truck career at Schneider, went to there school back in late 2004. That's where I did my first year then took local job with some smaller companies. I have nothing but good things to say about the "Pumpkin" Truck. Be glad to try and answer any specific questions you have but of course its been a while since I was there. I will say they are all about being safe and legal. They kept fairly new equipment, scheduled maint., Also had very nice operating centers that you can get to, to stay out of the truck stops.

Don't get offended about being in a pumpkin truck. We were told by the trainers and even management about all those orange cones you see out on the highway. They are actually Schneider eggs that are about to hatch. Ha ha.

when I was there was always plenty of miles. They were also doing some new things with your home time so you were able to schedule when you wanted to be home and go back out. Then there is the number of dedicated accounts you could run that get home weekly and it didn't take long to get on one.

Logging has changed, gone to computers. Most likely by now there is more technological "stuff" being used, but I would bet as far as miles, money, and home time they would be one of the best out there. When I look back at my life choices, if I had the chance to do it over, I would have stayed with them. Going to the smaller local companies was a disappointment and why I left the business for awhile.

That's my two cents, but of course the decision is yours. Good Luck and keep in touch

I'm Sober-J over