Comments By Phil

Deleted

So you posted on FB that your company was not paying you?

I know it's just human error on the payroll side. I used to handle payroll at a previous job. Data entry error must likely. I just spoke to my "new" training coordinator and she is the gal I was first assigned to. She just came back off maternity leave. She's going to straighten it all out.

You should contact payroll and ask for an advance on your pay. I'm sure it is not common, but sometimes there can be glitches in the system. If you deal with it calmly, and in a professional manner, I'm sure they will straighten it out. A Company the size of US Express is not purposely "not paying you". As far as the backing goes, it will eventually come. Practice, Practice, Practice! Good luck

In a student driver in my 4th week if OTR training. I'm not feeling the love from the organization. You'd think I read the first student driver they've ever had. From my FB post: NOT GETTING PAID. US Xpress is not thrilling me with their organization. Second week in a row I did not get paid. Last week my training coordinator said Payroll should have entered it and both weeks Payroll said the training coordinator had to enter it. BEST PART? I have a new training coordinator since last Monday and no one told me!

Otherwise, my training is going well but, as with so many new drivers, 45 degree backing is a challenge even though I KNOW what to do. I see it's all about the set up, the right angle and distance to the lane. I tend to hold the wheel too long.

When I go to upgrade this week I'll have to do 45, 90 and blindside but my trainer tells me he's never shown anyone how to do a 90. He said they, Kinda walk you through it." He told me how to do a blindside but hasn't shown me.

I take the antidepressant Nortriptyline. It can cause drowsiness but I take it before bed with a medication FOR SLEEP. It was Werner, but the way.

If it's not too personal to ask - which med did Schnieder DQ you for?

I ask - so we can tell potential candidates for that company.

Companies will not disclose their "prohibited meds list" (aside from the ones obviously prohibited by FMCSA regs) for fear of a discrimination lawsuit from an applicant that is denied due to a non-disqualifying health condition (or one that is covered under the ADA). They'll get you all the way up there, and then send you home.

For the most part - any med that says "may cause drowsiness", is going to be disqualifying due to the risk of lingering effects creating an unsafe driver.

Congrats on your hire - best of luck to you.

Rick

I'm not training on the account my recruiter said I would. This guy is OTR hauling whatever.

Congratulations. Are you going to be hauling rolls of paper on that account?

A medication I take was on Werner's list of prohibited meds. I take it before going to bed si it didn't affect my driving but it's prohibited.

Why did you get sent home??

Got my first job today. After being sent home three weeks ago by Werner I contacted US Xpress and came to Shippensburg, PA for orientation. Today I was assigned a good trainer: Benjamin is an owner/operator with 17 years diving, 7 years as a trainer and trained over 100 people. He trained 3 members of the same family. His rules: keep the truck clean, showers every other day, respect my stuff and I'll respect yours. I don't smoke and neither does he. I couldn't be happier because I know two people who said their Werner trainers stank. (One was a classmate of my from Smith & Solomon in Phila. She said she got off the guy's truck because "I was tired of spraying Lysol.)

I'm learning that communication in this industry isn't always great. I completed the Online W4 and I9 but someone kept assigning it to me, twice. My recruiter told me I'd train on the Quad Graphics regional account, 12-14 days out, 72 hours home. The training coordinator found the nearest trainer but he's OTR. USX training is 175 hours. So I'll be out 3-4 weeks starting tomorrow.

Let the adventure begin.

So, Werner sent me home last Wednesday because one of my meds is prohibited. Today I signed on with US Xpress for a job similar to the Werner regional. Same pay, same out 2 wk home 2 days, dedicated to Quad Graphic ink and paper, no touch. Very pleased. I was up front with the recruiter and sent her the meds I take. She said it's up to the company doc. I am having the VA provide a medical release form so I should be ok. Starts May 1.

I just today signed on with US Xpress. The lane I'll be driving is almost the same as the Home Depot I would have driven for Werner. Two weeks out, two days home, east of the Mississippi. Same 41cpm. There equipent is 2016-2018. Not bad and all automatic. I have an automatic restriction. The big carriers are going automatic. According to Werner they use less gas.

Anyway, thanks for the tip and I will keep them in mind. I'm going to go get some experience for 3-6 months and then we'll see.

I just accepted an offer to drive for Nuusbaum Transportation starting in their finishing program as a new driver after I complete my CDL training in June. I spent the afternoon with them yesterday and was very impressed with their company. They gave me a guided tour of their facility, let me operate a tractor trailer in the yard, and introduced me to the operations/maintenance folks. To say I'm excited about starting my professional driving career with such great company would be an understatement. Give Nuusbaum a call If you're looking for a company with a rich history, an outstanding training program, great pay/benefits and an award winning reputation.

I was reading reviews of Veriha Trucking – Marinette, Wis. and on their home page they have a "Best Fleets to Drive For" emblem. So I checked that out. Sure enough, according to Commercial Carrier Journal they are the 20th of 20 "Best Fleets to Drive For.

I don't see any of the major carriers (JB Hunt, Werner, Schneider, etc.) listed. In fact, I only recognize 3 or 4 names. That is a surprise to me but, then again, I haven't started my career yet.

https://www.ccjdigital.com/20-fleets-recognized-as-2018-best-fleets-to-drive-for/