Comments By James K.

Well, I think it is a good thing if it happens. One of the big positives of it passing, drivers would actually log on duty time tarping and doing other work. We all know many people don't log on duty many things they are supposed too. On the flip side, it still will not pay the driver when sitting waiting for a load and things like that because all that time is logged off duty or sleeper berth.

The loads i was talking about just to clear things are sitting at the dock when your time is running down waiting for the to live load / unload

What do you think of the transportation bill that has in it a guaranteed pay for drivers of all on-duty hours?

Companies have the money to pay their drivers more and they just pocket it instead. The the way it should be, the drivers should be paid for being on duty because thats where they get screwed This is like someone going to work and at work but talking to someone and not actually working but they are paid to be there. Sitting for hours waiting for loads, dealing with dispatchers that are dumber than rocks and assigning phantom loads. I mean these companies are so damn cheap when it comes to their drivers. Making 50k a year is nice but when you think about the hours a driver puts in is hella not worth it to me and i found that out quick.

Hey guys and gals. I have taken a few months to whip my ass into shape again and well my last post i was about 250 and that was almost 3 months ago and i am now down to 230 and ready to tackle the road.

I am going to orientation on the 26th for covenant as i would like to team drive. I am just going to get my experience and move on because i really want to drive for companies like coca cola or walmart,. They require experience so this is how i am going to get it.

Anyway my heart rate is dropping back to normal so the agility test covenant gives hopefully wont be a problem for me.

Anyone here go through covenant orientation can relate and tell me what their agility test is like and the orientation process.

THANKS James

Thanks for the reminder. I knew rpm had to be somewhere but I know each truck is different

Just tell the examiner your not used to that specific gear system. Trucks perform diffrent and these examiners need to understand that. I think they wanna see if you know the basics of shifting and when done right don't make the tranny drop on the interstate

Thanks. From what I've been told the company road tests aren't incredibly hard. Is that true?

the orientation test drive probably isn't that hardthey just want to see if you're able to be trained or if you learned anythingbut your upgrade test will be a little bit harder because they train you so you know what you can train with you should know the truck that you're driving too hope this helps

Thanks for the reminder. I knew rpm had to be somewhere but I know each truck is different

Just tell the examiner your not used to that specific gear system. Trucks perform diffrent and these examiners need to understand that. I think they wanna see if you know the basics of shifting and when done right don't make the tranny drop on the interstate

Western express i hear will hire if you have but never used your cdl. They have programs but require a 9 month commitment.

I checked into it and yes they do have them. Downside is, I am not in there hire zone. I am for now going to stay with Central seems how they are going to get me in for the road test. I just gotta remember the down shifting. I remember backing turn the wheel opposite of the way you want the trailer to go. Anyone have reminders/ helpful hints on remembering the down shift?

Thanks Guys and Gals

Downshifting is clutch into neutral. give a shot of gas up to 1500 or whatever the proper rpm for that truck is and then clutch into the next lowest gear.

For my training truck which was a 10 speed, it was 40 into 8 30 into 7 and 20 goes to 6. shifting at 1500 rpm.

Western express i hear will hire if you have but never used your cdl. They have programs but require a 9 month commitment.

You sound like me lol. I went to the DMV and the lady literally clapped and said wow you did something super rare. I asked what was rare and they said you passed all 5 tests on the first try. Made me smile. I also passed my hazmat the first time i took it as well. Only I attended southwest truck driver training and not AIT. I finished the in class portion with a 97%. I finished at the top of the class with a 92 overall composite.

Advice for your pre trip:

Everything is properly mounted and secured and not cracked damaged or loose. Anything with wires is not spliced cut and connections are made. Hoses there is no Abrasions Bulges or Cuts. and no leaks for any air line or fluid. You have 91 items to hit and i believe you can pass with 68. I scored an 84 which was also the highest in the class. We had 1 person fail but he took it the next day and passed.

Good luck to you

I hear 6 months? Don't know if thats true or not

I just went through orientation at JB Hunt and a couple of guys failed the DOT physical for one reason or another. I was wondering if their current DOT medical cards are still valid?

I just went to Conway. I used to be in great shape and now not so much so my heart was hating me and I failed the agility scam which sent me home and yet 400 lb behemoths all passed. The DOT physical I passed with flying colors. Did these guys say what failed them? Must have been blood pressure or sugar. But I asked what becomes of my last dot physical card and she said its still valid and that I won't be getting my new physical card that I took with the company.