Profile For Big Holli

Has anyone heard of maven logistics??

So I am on my last two days with my trainer, who has been a driver for almost 30 years. And I am his 3rd trainee. He is not very good at instructing. More like fussing. Which is all fine.I was military and law enforcement, I can take it. He knows I drove before and is just adjusting my shifting since I was spoiled by an automatic at my first job. Well he leads a odd schedule. I wont go into all the number and times but we go from driving from early in the morning, unload, and then spent all day waiting for a load. I can’t just shut it down and sleep while he’s got the tv blaring. He takes a nap and wants me to drive all night until early in the morning. I told him as of now my clock is not ready for that, after have been awake since 0300 this morning. I know my body. I know that I get drowsy around 2300. I told him I understand how driving at night is prime for trucking. But when I drove before I worked myself up to it, and eventually was fine. So now there’s this awkward tension. Was I wrong for telling him no? We also got in a argument, where he wanted me to do a rolling stop through a intersection, in order to beat on coming traffic. When I stopped he yelled “ I told you to go! You can do a rolling stop!” My response was, that’s not a legal thing! He said it was. I said well good. You do that, I won’t.

Being made to take that time off might not be all that bad. My plant shuts down from the 25th-28th and we won't be accepting or receiving any shipments in that time. If you were out with your trainer, you could likely end up sitting for the week anyways... better to do that at home.

You are right. But I would be Sid to sit. Where as the week I was off was nice, but I didn’t get a paycheck. But my trainer did.

Here’s a question. I hear over and over again, about this driver shortage. But Every truck stop is slam full! Trucks stacked up in there! If we ever get out of this “shortage” where will we park??

You mean I shouldn't wear my bunny slippers and PJs?!?

Hell, time and a place! Lol you sitting in your truck listening to “convoy” or walking to get a shower? Rock them.

Here’s a pet peeve of mine. And I know everyone’s different. If you show up to a shipper or receiver, why don’t you try and look like you are ready to work? What ever happened to looking capable, competent and professional? Take pride in your appearance at least a little and maybe if we did that the trucking industry wouldn’t be so looked down upon.

Great update Big Holli. Have you seen any of their International Lonestar veteran truck's? I've only had a chance to see one in person and it sure was sharp.

I have not seen one yet.

Well I did my one week of orientation, followed by a week of load securement. Today is my first day with a trainer. We are taking a load to Dallas. I am liking the company as a whole. I hopefully will be able to test out early instead of doing a full 4 weeks with a trainer. So far my biggest issue is that if my trainer takes a week off for Christmas, I Will be forced to sit at home and will not be paid. And missing an entire week of pay for something that is out of my control. Will really bite. But other then that, the company seems very professional. They are a very strict company. Cameras inside and out the trucks. The equipment seems very will maintained. I already have some OTR experience so I am ready to get out there on my own.

Alright. So here it goes. They gave me a rental car to get from Lafayette La, to Gardendale Alabama. The hotel is nice. But you have to share a room. The shuttle picks you up at 0630. They provide a nice lunch and dinner. My first day so far has consisted of a rather in depth agility test. Drug test and what not. And then I had to do a road test. One thing I did not know, was that they are not a majority automatic company as I was told. And I was very rusty on my 10 speed skills. My backing was good to go. ( guess I didn’t forget it all). I will update as I go.

Well. Luckily I get to be home for thanksgiving! I roll out Sunday for 10days orientation with Boyd Brothers! I will be making a post of how it goes, since I have not seen to much recent information about them. Excited to get going again!

Since I will be upgrading to my own truck very soon I would like to revisit a question I asked months ago before I started CDL training (and I was told I was being silly for asking and that I was putting the horse before the cart (I guess the commenter didn’t know my determination and drive 😁)).

My question is this: what do you wish you had on your very first truck that you didn’t have? Anything and everything you can think of. I will be going home for Thanksgiving and can hit some good sales while I’m there.

Thanks and be safe!

Honestly, extra cushion for the mattress. A crock pot, refrigerator, and one of those small handheld vacuums. And on those resets, I always told my wife, " dang, I wish I would have put a tv in here."

Its looking like Boyd Brothers is giving me a shot to get back on the road. I have a accident on my record from 2016. And I have not drove in almost a year. So that has made companies hard to find. Any one have any experience with this company? But I have 6 months tanker OTR that is my saving grace.

Let me add that the accident was before I got my CDL

Its looking like Boyd Brothers is giving me a shot to get back on the road. I have a accident on my record from 2016. And I have not drove in almost a year. So that has made companies hard to find. Any one have any experience with this company? But I have 6 months tanker OTR that is my saving grace.

Big Holli

I'm not one of the moderators here at TT, but I used to drive, and now trying to get back into it. Anyway, I don't know how old your kids are but if they are young, as mine were when I did trucking before, then see if you can get a local company to hire you and you'll be home every night. Now that said, you will have many other challenges seeing you have been away for a while. Most will want a recent certificate of school and OTR experience. What I'm trying to say is there are so many opportunities out there. You have to make the choice of OTR or Regional or Local. Some regional will have you home every second or every third night. But it will be at least every weekend. This will also depend on the company. But your heart has to be dedicated to trucking. The grass is NOT always greener some where else. This is something you and you alone have to make.

I hope this has helped?

Thank you! It does help. Weighing all options.

Anyone actively working for TMC? If so how do you like it? What are some of the pros and cons? I am waiting for my application to get approved.

I drove 5 months, for Service transport hauling tankers OTR. I loved it! Not the company, the company sucked. But I saw so much of this beautiful country. I also drove a little for macro, hauling fuel through Houston. The only downside was leaving my wife and kids behind. So an opportunity came up for me to join my parishes' sheriff office. Which doing law enforcement has always been a dream of mine. I did that for about a year, Its great. It has its ups and downs. But my big problem with it is the stress, and how nit-picky with reports, and dealing with so many people. I do the job well. And I am good at it. But more and more I find myself missing the road. My wife said trucking was a good fit for me. But we are struggling with the idea of leaving again. I am looking into TMC since I have quite a few friends who drive, and they love the money and the weekends home. I kind of miss just having a regular job, and not the stress of mentally bringing work home. What do yall think, any advice?

Oh I will get lay over pay. I asked if this load required in trans-heat, They said no, and that the receiver would re-heat it when I got there. I just really hope that when I drive all the way back there from getting it heated, that they off load me so I can head on back to the house.

Well. Left Thursday at 1800 from Freeport TX. With a load that I was told was scheduled at 0500 on the 2nd. I found it odd but I am new and didn't question the odd appointment time. So I got there this morning. And the security guard didn't have me on the list until the 4th! I called dispatch and they tried to tell me that I got the wrong date. I told them all of the shipping papers and everything say the 2nd. I was also told that when I get there they would re-heat the product in my tanker back to 200 degrees so they can off load. The reciver then tells me it's my responsibility to get it steamed back up to temp. And the only place my company has an account don't open till Monday morning. So I am sitting around until then in West Virginia.

I drive team. Double bunks. We have a little fridge. Planning on putting a tv in.

Alright we are still broke down in Winchester Virginia. Going to be spending a 3rd night. There is some major electrical recall. And we need a part that no one can find. And that electrical issue is making my air horn not work. Will DOT give me a ticket for a broke air horn? My city horn works. Safety is saying DOT will not give a ticket for that. But when I had my last inspection, the DOT trooper specifically asked for me to honk both horns.