Profile For tripletdad

Congrats!

Hi! So I’m looking for some recommendations. I came here a year a a few months ago and read, asked questions, and basically immersed myself in this site. In the end, I found a great company, did my paid Cdl training as recommended here, and fulfilled my contract. Fast forward to now.

I’m over a year, 100,000+ miles, and I’m wanting to get into a more long term type of position. I’ve talked to a few companies and keep getting the same thing. My speeding ticket will prevent them from hiring me.

2 years ago, I bought a fun car and I got a speeding ticket. 26 mph over the limit. It was before my Cdl. My current company was able to overlook it, despite it being less than a year old at the time. Now it’s an issue with the places I’m looking, which tell me I’m maybe looking in the wrong places.

Here’s my requirements. If anyone knows firsthand of a company that could do this, please let me know.

1-I have automatic only restriction. 2- other than the speeding ticket, my record is pretty clean. I have one ticket for improper child restraint where my son was in a booster seat and the trooper thought he should have been in a full car seat. No point. I have one non preventable accident in the semi. I stopped at a as red light. Care behind me did not stop. They were cited, And it was classed as non preventable. 3-id like regional or home daily position. I’m in south western Ohio. So I’m close to Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati.

I’ve checked with R&L locally, as well as old dominion, saia, and variant. Variant would hire me. More money, but I’d have to be out a minimum of 2 weeks which I’m trying to avoid.

Thanks for any advice.

Nothing to add, but I just about got backed into while sitting in a dock today. Guys truck looked like he had just pulled it out of a field last weekend and put it on the road. I was in the door being unloaded and here he comes backing at an angle and came about an in charge or two from hitting my sleeper. Gave him a friendly air horn toot and he stopped, then pulled up and got it straightened up. Was apologetic about it and that was it. I would hope that my company wouldn’t count something like that against me either.

So, I know that everyone here agrees that lease purchases are bad. But what about straight up owning? I’m nearing the end of my one year contract with my training company I found through this site. I’m looking seriously at my options, and I keep coming back to owner operating. I am looking at something in the 2-3 year old age range, and then signing on with someone. I will NOT have a truck payment in this scenario, and I should be able to maintain a good maintenance buffer account. I’ve never owned a business before, but I think it could be worth the risk. Once I would feel it out, I would potentially be looking into buying a second truck and having someone drive it, but that’s not anything in the near future. I’d want to give owning my own truck a few years first.

TL;DR—is owning a truck outright with no payments and arbitrary fees ever a good idea?

So it’s hArd to believe, but I’ve been doing this for almost a year now. I started with Millis. While I’ve learned a lot and been happy, I’m looking for something where I can get more options. I’m looking at Crete as a short list. I’d get a pretty substantial raise, and from the numerous drivers I’ve spoken with, the miles are there and they seems to be a company that treats employees well. Since millis got bought out by heartland (before I started) I’ve heard a lot of changes, none that have really affected me, other than losing my safety bonus for a year because i tapped a stop sign. $0 in damage, but I had my speed dropped to 62 mph and lost the quarterly and annual bonus. Not cool, but it happened my first week solo, so I’m used to it now. Anyway, thoughts on Crete? Anyone?

Flying J in Hebron, Indiana for the night. Parked next to a guy who’s reefer desperately needs something oiled.

I missed your earlier posts, but congrats on moving into your own truck. This group has been great for me from the beginning when I didn’t know where to start the process and they still are now.

Thanks! I’ll post pics of I knew how to on here. I felt like an old man trying to figure it out lol. Definitely glad to have gotten over covid.

Well y’all, I just passed my six month mark since officially being hired after Cdl school at Millis.

I love this job more every day. The stuff that used to worry me are small potatoes now. It’s amazing the things that just happen now without me getting nervous or worried. Just today, I took wrong turn and ended up on a side street leading to a residential neighborhood. Instead of worrying, I pulled over, looked on my phone at aerial map of my location and found an easy and safe way out of it, and made it look like it was my intention still along.

I’ve been to 20 states in the past 6 month, and one of them, I was not driving. Hospitalized with Covid pneumonia. For 1.5 of those months, I was running with my trainer, so I’ve only been on my own for maybe 3.5 months. I’m still happy they gave me a brand new kenworth with 40 miles on it, and I treat it like my own. I’m at 35,000 miles now, so 10k per month, 2500 a week, and stop home every weekend.

I’m looking at other options to learn once I finish my year here. I may end up staying. I’m happy here. I rarely hear from my dispatcher, I plan my own route and schedule, as long as I’m on time, I hear nothing. If I’m going to be late, as long as I let dispatch know, again, I hear nothing. I’m wondering though if I might like flatbed or tanker though.

I’m taking my daughter out for her spring break. She wants to go see the Gulf of Mexico. Asked my dispatcher and he says he’s gonna do setting he can to make it happen.

Wow, tripletdad!!!!! Hope the KIDS are well, glad YOU are too!

OMG I'm so sorry about the Covid crap. Happened to a FEW of the guys on here, dangit! Glad you bounced back!! Nice new truck, to boot!!! Bet its awesome ..... Pix someday ?!?!? :)

Re: the 'hiccup' / wrong turn ~ That's the way do do it; act like a CAT (feline) and be like "I MEANT to do that!" Hahahaha!!

I'm SO happy for you, good sir!! ENJOY the kiddo, most of all. It's phenominal. We did it for a small while; memories for sure!!

MAJOR CONGRATS!!!! MANY milestones. . . . so glad to hear !!!

~ Anne ~

Well y’all, I just passed my six month mark since officially being hired after Cdl school at Millis.

I love this job more every day. The stuff that used to worry me are small potatoes now. It’s amazing the things that just happen now without me getting nervous or worried. Just today, I took wrong turn and ended up on a side street leading to a residential neighborhood. Instead of worrying, I pulled over, looked on my phone at aerial map of my location and found an easy and safe way out of it, and made it look like it was my intention still along.

I’ve been to 20 states in the past 6 month, and one of them, I was not driving. Hospitalized with Covid pneumonia. For 1.5 of those months, I was running with my trainer, so I’ve only been on my own for maybe 3.5 months. I’m still happy they gave me a brand new kenworth with 40 miles on it, and I treat it like my own. I’m at 35,000 miles now, so 10k per month, 2500 a week, and stop home every weekend.

I’m looking at other options to learn once I finish my year here. I may end up staying. I’m happy here. I rarely hear from my dispatcher, I plan my own route and schedule, as long as I’m on time, I hear nothing. If I’m going to be late, as long as I let dispatch know, again, I hear nothing. I’m wondering though if I might like flatbed or tanker though.

I’m taking my daughter out for her spring break. She wants to go see the Gulf of Mexico. Asked my dispatcher and he says he’s gonna do setting he can to make it happen.

Hey, you updated your pic, kearsey!

As for OP, prior to starting, I’d never even heard of Millis. I waded through the bs, recognized that my recruiter there not only answered my questions, she answered in writing, and in detail. No empty promises. I’ve got a regional job where I’m home every weekend, and I’m still getting the miles I need to keep me happy. On my weekends when I don’t have my kids, s long as I let my dispatcher know early enough in the week, he can keep me routed out over the weekend for a change of scenery or bigger check. Trust YOUR gut when researching. Some places sound great at first but you’ll notice they glaze over details. Dont be afraid to be your own Advocate. This forum is a great reference though. I’ve been out of training and on the road for 6 months now and while I learn something new every day, I love the job more every day, too.

Like Scott...i am.completely biased. I got trained at Prime and almost 6 years later I am still here. Love it!

I hear peo people say all the time that they failed at Prime...and I just shake my head. I am treated like royalty, literally. The mechanics know me and hug me hello.... The dispatchers want me on their fleet and the owner of our 15,000 employee company knows my name. Its a great feeling to belong.

Keep searching.... It takes hard work on your part to build a reputation like that...but when it happens..you never went to leave. Good luck

Somehow I ended up on a text list for Swift, and a phone/email list for hirschbach. I did talk to them once but politely declined when they said 34 hour reset at home instead of the whole weekend. I know I’ve got it good where I’m at. Get home Friday afternoon, leave Monday morning. As long as my kids are small and I only get weekends with them, I’ll be staying where I can have that schedule. Lol.

Seems like common sense, but unfortunately, there are so many entitled people in the world that this is entirety believable. The sad part is that the guy will probably never own up to his part in this.

I did the paid Cdl training from this page. I got my training, I have my Cdl and a job, so I guess you’d say I was successful. I went through millis. They pay for food and hotel during the training. I’d be happy to answer any questions you have

I didn’t know you guys were in Mansfield. I’m through there every week, lol.

The mom & pop ones over here in Ohio are the bomb, too. Tom stops at the one in Bloomville often, for his 30 .. and brings me home the most awesome cold cuts (salami and chix salad are the BEST!) They only have one small shower, which he doesn't need, but .. it's something! Remarkably clean, as are the restrooms; been there a time or 2 with him myself and utilized the facilities.

About 10 parking spots, but not always full since it's not right off the interstate; more off the beaten path on a 2 lane. He used to LOVE finding these 'hidey hole' places when he was OTR. Yeppers!

The Marathon here in Mansfield doesn't have 'parking' for overnight per se, but the Indian couple that run it, adore Tom. Sammy & Rita...i've met them as well. Super good people. They've got diesel pump accommodations for trucks, and short term parking. Nice place.

Looks nice. Like mine, but a lighter red. :)

I’m at 14,100 miles now, and I’m home for a few days to get my Cdl permit converted to a regular Cdl. Should I get any extra endorsements.

Just an update. I went to cartersville, GA to take my Cdl test, and I passed. I’ve got 13,000 miles in with my trainer, so I should be finished with my 15k later this week and into my truck next week.

PLEASE let us know~!! Miss your posts, man~!!

~ Anne ~

Lol, oh. I didn’t know. Some of these companies really do have dangerously slow trucks lol.

I know. I was pulling your leg.

Usually by the end of the day I’m too tired to do much of anything else. Trucks are set at 66mph for the first year, provided I get no accident or ticket, which would drop it to 62mph. If I clear a year, they bump it up to 70mph. I know they’ve had a lot change over the years though lol

Awesome news!

I've been wondering where you disappeared to, so glad you've been busy racking up some decent miles.

Did they tell you all the trucks issued to the new drivers are set at 60 mph for the first 9 months?

Just an update. I went to cartersville, GA to take my Cdl test, and I passed. I’ve got 13,000 miles in with my trainer, so I should be finished with my 15k later this week and into my truck next week.

Sorry I’ve not updated in as couple of weeks. I went out for my first day with my trainer last Tuesday, the 14th. So far, I’ve driven 3,681 toward my 15,000 mile requirement. I’ve been in 7 states, had a DOT inspection in St. Louis right after leaving Budweiser, has a tire blow out 98 miles in on my first day, and gotten way more confident in my backing. Currently sitting at a Pilot in Rochelle, Illinois, waiting for a 6 am appointment in lacrosse Wisconsin, and then on to Memphis, then Smyrna, Georgia. I should have done this a long time ago.