Comments By Train

Thanks for the song Tracy. I have a Red Sovine channel on my Pandora list. My favorite is "Giddy up go".

Well I got my CDL-A a couple of weeks ago. I passed the TSA background check for the HAZMAT. Today I took and passed my endorsements for HAZMAT, Tankers, and Doubles. Headed to Tennessee this weekend to start orientation with Averitt Express. :)

Keenan, I just finished school a month ago and will be starting my first job this coming week, so my experience is limited but here is what I have found in talking to other drivers and from this sight. You are required to have a 34 hour reset each week. As I understand the hours of service rules you can be on duty for no more than 14 hours per day and many companies don't want you to drive more than 10 of those. Home time depends on the company. Coming straight out of school it will be hard to find a local job that pays well and lets you be home every night. When you get your first job you will spend anywhere from 4 to 6 weeks with a trainer don't expect much hometime during that time unless you are with a regional carrier or someone who does dedicated routes. You asked about a balance between home life and days off and making a good income. There are companies that will try to get you home every week and and some even pay well. A good example would be McElroy. They are a flatbed company that starts around .40cpm. On their website they even guarantee you will be home on the weekends. If you like to workout then consider a company that has their own facilities/terminals. Averitt Express is a regional carrier in the Southeast with over 100 terminals and many of them have shower and exercise facilties. Since you like to workout a flatbed carrier might be a good fit. I hope this helped.

Hey Trafficjam! I start with Averitt next weekend 11/03. Do you know if anyone drove their themselves to Cookeville? I live in Atlanta and it's 3 hours or so by car versus 7-8 by bus. I will be a student driver as well and my driver training will be out of the Atlanta Terminal.

Brett, Thanks for the reply. I am going to talk to my recruiter today to get the details. I have a couple of weeks, so I will take the time to start practicing what I saw and heard online.

I am starting my first truck driving job with a regional carrier in a couple of weeks. I have to go to Tennessee for one week of orientation. I am concerned about the possibility of a physical assessment. I am 6'2'' and on the high side of 300 lbs. I passed my DOT with only a minor elevation in my blood pressure.(the doc used the wrong size cuff) I know I can do the job should I be concerned they are going to send me home if I cant do a one minute "step test"? I can lift, carry, climb, and crawl, but my knees may be a problem. any thoughts?

Mistelle, Hi! I haven't started school yet but I understand your concern. First,I have been involved in Transportation and Logistics for many years. You and your husband sound young so enjoy this time and the adventures you are about to have. Don't look at working at CRST as being "stuck", we all have to start somewhere. I have encountered many CRST drivers over the years. they have been very professional and never had anything bad to say. After your contract period you might look at companies that offer many different career paths. Companies like Werner and Swift offer over the road as well as regional and dedicated local runs. Take a look at the LTL carriers as well. I don't know where you are based but in the south there are several regional carriers that have LTL routes as well. Best wishes to you both in your careers!