Location:
Charlotte, NC
Driving Status:
Experienced Driver
Social Link:
Big Scott On The Web
I dreamt of a career driving a truck. I spent almost eight years working for a company that builds machines. Unfortunately, I lost that job in the beginning of February (2017). I have been on unemployment. That runs out early May. After a couple of years of planning, when I lost my job, my wife had some health issues that prevented me from making the leap then. Now she is doing better and I have started applying to several companies. We are working hard to pay off debt and that is a slow process. I am here on TT because I find this to be the best site for current and truthful information on this industry. I was. accepted into CFI's company sponsored training and I'm currently in school for them. 6-26-17 Got my first truck with CFI today. 9-21-18 Still driving OTR with CFI. On 11-15-18 I became a trainer with CFI.
In July of 2019 I was denied a new medical card due to high blood sugar. After several months of hard work, I got everything back to normal. Then due to CCP Virus, the non driving job I was working at closed down. This forced me back to where I wanted to be. I contacted CFI and on May 28th 2020, I will be back in a truck.
Currently running OTR. The industry is on a major downturn. Since being bought by Heartland aka Heartless, they have been doing things like cutting our shop hours. They do not care about drivers, just money.
As of 9-22-23, I turned in my truck to CFI. I start a local job on 9-24-23.
truckerscott104@gmail.com
Posted: 23 hours, 50 minutes ago
View Topic:
A whole different type of training. Fueling Trains
9-24-23 Started my new job today. I will be fueling and servicing freight trains. Today started with a ride from Charlotte, NC to Spartanburg, SC. There we fueled 5 or 6 trains. The fuel is all pumped off. I did most of the work. The tank on the tractor trailer holds about 7000 gallons of dyed diesel. After filling those trains, we went back to Charlotte to refill the tank. Then we went to the airport intermodal terminal to wait for a train from Chicago. We filled those three, then it was back to the tank rack to refill. Finally back to the office. I work five 12 hour days per week. Training is three weeks then I will be on nights. There are three people per shift and three trucks. There is the tractor trailer fuel tanker, a straight truck fuel tank and a straight truck for servicing the trains. We add sand, water and sometimes oil. We also pump out the toilets. It's lots of fun.
Posted: 2 days, 7 hours ago
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Does this mean you'll be doing things like oil changes and filter changes to the locomotives? There are trucking jobs like that for excavation work. They need CDL drivers that can also perform maintenance on equipment in the field.
We wish you the best Big Scott! Hopefully this gig will help with your needs at home.
Thank you.
In addition to fuel, we add sand and water. We also empty toilets. I think we also change breaks. I will be updating as I go.
Posted: 2 days, 23 hours ago
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Best of luck to you in your new job, Scott. I hope you enjoy it as much as you did CFI.
Tons of DIY info for onboarding.
Posted: 3 days, 1 hour ago
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Well, Scott, I thought your middle initials were "C.F.I.". I understand things change. Best of luck in your new fuel business career! Being home every day becomes a real perk for truck drivers. (Going to have to change your photo!)
(Who am I to talk? Swift OTR -> Swift academy instructor -> Truck Movers delivery ->CDL instructor. And maybe another change coming before the end of the year.
Thank you. Stay safe out there.
Posted: 3 days, 3 hours ago
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Good luck Big Scott. I didn't see that one coming after all your positive comments on CFI over the years. I'll keep in touch with you. It sounds interesting and don't be a stranger here on TT.
Thank you. I need to be home regularly to take care of things at home.
Posted: 3 days, 4 hours ago
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That's right. Today was my last day with CFI. I start a new job on Sunday at 06:00. I will be home daily with about a 10 minute commute. I will be driving one of 3 trucks. One is a rig, tanker, one is a straight truck, tanker, the third is a straight truck that is a service truck. I will be fueling and servicing freight trains in North and South Carolina. Based in Charlotte.
I am looking forward to this exciting new career.
Posted: 5 days, 1 hour ago
View Topic:
What Does Everyone Think of Millis Transfer?
Millis has been owned by Heartland for a few years. Heartland adopted their training. I have seen training setups in Carlisle, PA and Phoenix, AZ. I don't know if they have other training locations.
Just go for it.
Posted: 1 week, 5 days ago
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It never ceases to amaze me the laziness and lack of consideration of truckers.
Posted: 2 weeks, 2 days ago
View Topic:
Legal Recourse for Shipper/broker Holding Your Trailer Hostage
What does your contact say?
Posted: 13 hours, 28 minutes ago
View Topic:
Trucking companies that have terminals in the Kansas City area
CFI is headquartered in Joplin. They will train you. You may have to start over since you never used your CDL. However, that's up to the company.
CFI has a drop yard in the KCMO area.
Good luck to you.