Jim Palmer Trucking - Missoula MT
Topic 23012 | Page 3
Dave, really enjoyed your diary, can't wait for the next update.
You're welcome Army and Joseph.
Motel room driving is a little boring.
Didn't do much yesterday (Wednesday 8/29) but get my name and picture on my door access card, watch The Ranch on Netflix and eat lunch. Over all, a productive day!
Didn't go to the terminal today (Thursday 8/30) just stayed at the motel and took the first day off in 3 weeks. It was a glorious day! Also, I talked with Shannon the training manager today. Got some info and a possible time frame on when I'll leaving and who my C-Seat trainer will be. If all works out should be out of Missoula and on the road by Monday.
Tomorrow (Friday 8/31) I'll be going to the terminal to help with some of the new trainees with pre-trip and maybe backing. Also, see about getting the Prime stuff activated and set up so once I'm on the truck I don't have to worry about it. Plus Fridays are Freddy's or Wendy's day. Can't miss that!
Guess that's all for this update.
Till next time, take care y'all!
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
WOW! It's been 3 weeks since my last update! How time flies when you're having fun.
My new trainer picked me up in Missoula on Monday (9/3). Then we took a shake down cruise up to Kalispell MT. Came back to Missoula and did a drop and hook on a load headed to Grand Island, NE. From there is was off to the north east. Seems like we spent a week up there and then we headed back west to Nevada and California. Finally got routed back to the midwest for some much needed home time this week! I've been out for almost 8 weeks!
A few of the highlights; the northeast is beautiful but it's a pain to drive a semi through. Very few name brand truck stops (Loves, TA/Petro Flying J/Pilot) and little parking. I-70 through Colorado is really cool, just wish is would have been daylight when I drove through. Last one, the Prime yard in Springfield MO is freaking COOL! You Primates have it cushy!
A thought on the team driving portion of my training. Sleeping in a moving truck on a rough road is not fun! But the upside, there is only about 25k more miles. If we can run hard it'll only take about 4 weeks to finish C and B seats. My trainer has had me doing all the interactions with the shippers and receivers and 90% of the backing. I've let him do a few backs so he doesn't get rusty. LOL!!!! I've got the QualComm down but all those darn Prime macros are a pain...
Should be heading back out later today (Friday 9/21) or tomorrow. I'm really looking forward to getting back out on the road!!
Until next time, take care y'all!
Shipper:
The customer who is shipping the freight. This is where the driver will pick up a load and then deliver it to the receiver or consignee.
Qualcomm:
Omnitracs (a.k.a. Qualcomm) is a satellite-based messaging system with built-in GPS capabilities built by Qualcomm. It has a small computer screen and keyboard and is tied into the truck’s computer. It allows trucking companies to track where the driver is at, monitor the truck, and send and receive messages with the driver – similar to email.Drop And Hook:
Drop and hook means the driver will drop one trailer and hook to another one.
In order to speed up the pickup and delivery process a driver may be instructed to drop their empty trailer and hook to one that is already loaded, or drop their loaded trailer and hook to one that is already empty. That way the driver will not have to wait for a trailer to be loaded or unloaded.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Hey Dave just wanted to thank you for all the info on your journey with JP. I have one question regarding their drug testing policy. Do they require urine test, hair follicle test or both and if hair test, is the spot where they remove the hair very noticeable? Will I have a big bald spot on my head? Thanks again.
Respectfully, Bill D.
Welp, day 1 down! This is going to be a short update. First off was the DOT physical. I passed! Next was a tour of the place. Lunch then drug screening. Rest of the day was orientation and signing on the dotted line.
First thing tomorrow will CLP test.
Tired, need a shower and sleep now.
Until next time!
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
CLP:
Commercial Learner's Permit
Before getting their CDL, commercial drivers will receive their commercial learner's permit (CLP) upon passing the written portion of the CDL exam. They will not have to retake the written exam to get their CDL.
Bill D. urine test only but that is always subject to change.
Hey Dave just wanted to thank you for all the info on your journey with JP. I have one question regarding their drug testing policy. Do they require urine test, hair follicle test or both and if hair test, is the spot where they remove the hair very noticeable? Will I have a big bald spot on my head? Thanks again.
Respectfully, Bill D.
Welp, day 1 down! This is going to be a short update. First off was the DOT physical. I passed! Next was a tour of the place. Lunch then drug screening. Rest of the day was orientation and signing on the dotted line.
First thing tomorrow will CLP test.
Tired, need a shower and sleep now.
Until next time!
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
CLP:
Commercial Learner's Permit
Before getting their CDL, commercial drivers will receive their commercial learner's permit (CLP) upon passing the written portion of the CDL exam. They will not have to retake the written exam to get their CDL.
Holy smokes! How time flies when you're having fun! Another 3 weeks since the last update. This one will be a short one with a longer update coming in a week or two. The list of states I haven't driven through is way shorter the the ones I have. Last count I'm missing 11 states.
Some time a few weeks ago I was upgraded to B2 and didn't even know until I looked at my pay stub. And the really big new is that I should be upgrading to B1 very soon. What that means is I'll be going solo! Possible next week! Name an emotion and I'm experiencing it. Excitement, scared, happy, apprehension but it's time to rip the training wheels off and ride!
Next step will for me to go on my solo week (or 2) and if all goes well I'll upgrade to A-seat.
Anyway, I've got a long list of my travels (snow and rain) and missteps (wrong turns!). I'm running a little short on time now but hopefully will have some time this coming week.
Until next time!
Awesome update Dave. Best wishes for continued success and forward progress.
Safe travels.
Quick update for y'all!
Less then 2,500 miles left out of 30,000 miles! Will be heading to Springfield MO ASAP (that is, as soon as we get a load that routes through the area LOL) to start my b1 solo week.
Really nervous about it all but once I get going think I'll do fine.
SAP:
Substance Abuse Professional
The Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) is a person who evaluates employees who have violated a DOT drug and alcohol program regulation and makes recommendations concerning education, treatment, follow-up testing, and aftercare.
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Ok, thanks for the reply.