A Surprising Observation About Maverick Transportation

I'm currently at Maverick's HQ in North Little Rock, AR undergoing my final evaluation tests. If all goes well, my 9-week training adventure will result in my graduation tomorrow, when I will be officially given my keys! I attended my Orientation and Securement Training at Maverick's Madison, IL terminal , so this is my first visit to "the Big House". The grounds and facilities are very impressive and there certainly is no shortage of spotless maroon Freightliners around here!

I'm staying in the student dorms on campus, while some of the other students going through final evals are at the Galloway Inn, a hotel a short distance from the campus.

As I was leaving my dorm room the first day, I asked my roommate if he had the key. I was traveling with my laptop and some other valuables that I normally travel with. My roommate attended this location for his CDL training, and he stayed in the dorms for the duration of his 4-week previous training stint. He told me there are no keys for any of the rooms and they are all left unlocked. I went, "Huh?"

As a former police officer, I have a rather jaded view of humanity and here we are, staying with dozens of complete strangers from all over the country, and our rooms are left unlocked. My first thought was, "These people must be crazy!" It occurred to me that everything is unlocked around here. The new trucks that are sitting outside waiting to be assigned are all unlocked. The classrooms and offices in the training building are all unlocked, and despite my best efforts, I haven't found a locked door on the entire property! So, what's the deal?

I asked about this policy because I thought that certainly, with everything unlocked, theft must be rampant with all the traffic going in and out, and the dozens of students that are constantly coming and going. I was told no, theft is not a problem at all. The policy at Maverick is one where they trust each other and they expect people to behave decently towards one another, and this includes trusting that people will not steal from each other.

I wasn't sure what to make of this policy, but I must admit, that after 3-days here, it has been rather refreshing and has restored some of my faith in humanity. I'm here for just one more day, and I have really enjoyed my stay...and nobody has bothered any of my personal property, despite the fact that for many hours each day, my valuables sit unattended in an unlocked room that dozens of strangers have access to.

If you are interested in my journey with Maverick and how I ended up here as a 57-year-old rookie flatbedder, feel free to jump over to the CDL Training Diaries where my entire journey is listed under the "Old Man Leaves Six-Figure...Psychiatric Evaluation Pending" Diary.

Maverick has a big presence and does a lot of recruiting in my area. Trucks always look real nice. I've certainly considered them but I want to start out either dry Van or reefer to start.

Maverick has a big presence and does a lot of recruiting in my area. Trucks always look real nice. I've certainly considered them but I want to start out either dry Van or reefer to start.

Nothing wrong with that plan. If you ever get the itch to try flatbed, feel free to hit me up with any questions you might have about Maverick. I'll be happy to share my experiences. All the best to you on your journey.

Grandpa... They probably have a ton of cameras. We have cameras all over my company terminals. Our large packages that don't fit in our mailboxes sit in an empty hallway for us to retrieve. Dyson vacuums, appliances. All sorts of things. Never once has one of my items gone missing. Security 8s watching 24/7 too. I feel safe at our terminal.

Grandpa... They probably have a ton of cameras. We have cameras all over my company terminals. Our large packages that don't fit in our mailboxes sit in an empty hallway for us to retrieve. Dyson vacuums, appliances. All sorts of things. Never once has one of my items gone missing. Security 8s watching 24/7 too. I feel safe at our terminal.

Something tells me that the girl from Jersey is not the one that a malcontent would pick as a target.

Grandpa- Excellent writing. Very interesting about Maverick in Little Rock. Another example- big cities will have good areas- Maverick’s area and also dangerous areas. A coworker (not in trucking) moved to Little Rock. As he drove thru LR downtown, he stopped at a stop sign, he saw a man walking toward another man, who was sitting in a parked car. The man walking pulled a gun and killed the man. He quit his LR job and moved back to St Louis, where we both worked at McDonnell Douglas. He also had more stories about LR.

I wasn't sure what to make of this policy, but I must admit, that after 3-days here, it has been rather refreshing and has restored some of my faith in humanity.

If only the REST of humanity would follow suit. Love it.

All in all, CONGRATS, Steve; that's awesome! So close . . . what a journey, eh?

Grandpa... They probably have a ton of cameras. We have cameras all over my company terminals. Our large packages that don't fit in our mailboxes sit in an empty hallway for us to retrieve. Dyson vacuums, appliances. All sorts of things. Never once has one of my items gone missing. Security 8s watching 24/7 too. I feel safe at our terminal.

Nothing wrong with that!! Big brother/big somebody is always watching. I'd prefer the cameras, AND the HUMANITY, hand in hand!!!

Something tells me that the girl from Jersey is not the one that a malcontent would pick as a target.

Got THAT right, Ryan !!! Check out her Y/T channel someday, haha! Pretty sure you missed her Rainy/Dungeon days..... luckily !!

Grandpa- Excellent writing. Very interesting about Maverick in Little Rock. Another example- big cities will have good areas- Maverick’s area and also dangerous areas. A coworker (not in trucking) moved to Little Rock. As he drove thru LR downtown, he stopped at a stop sign, he saw a man walking toward another man, who was sitting in a parked car. The man walking pulled a gun and killed the man. He quit his LR job and moved back to St Louis, where we both worked at McDonnell Douglas. He also had more stories about LR.

Well, there went HIS comfort zone, Scott !! Just kidding (or not?) ... big cities always something. St. Louie isn't much better!! Hope all is well with YOU, also ! Ya don't stop in much ...

BE SAFE, Y'ALL !

~ Anne ~