Gentlemen, Start Your Engines ...Ready, Set, ...oops. ... False Start.
Topic 4161 | Page 2
I will say, I do have some limitations that don't allow me the freedom to go out on the road - at least, not for a couple of years. I'm a single mom of 4, with no other parent in the picture to share/help with daily parenting. (Insert your own choice of ugly names to call the ex, ...here! lol.) End of discussion with that issue. One of the reasons the oil fields were attractive was that in Colorado, drivers in the field can go home (almost) every night (or morning, whatever) and for me, they're not that far away, so I could commute or move closer and not disrupt everyone's life too much.
Flatwater, thanks for the recommendation for A&W Water. They have merged with a larger company but remain "local" in concept. I called them, they were very pleasant on the phone, and they want a year's worth of experience first. I told them I'd call them next year and I will. They look good.
RedGator, still researching Schneider. Their training might take me away from home for too long. Not an excuse, just reality. I'm just limited and I knew that before I got involved in this.
Old School, I might also look into local construction companies for some type of hauling. I know it can be a seasonal business but there might be some options ...
I did call May Trucking Company, since I had done a pre-hire with them in early ...uh ...May, haha and they spoke to me like they were ready to bring me on asap. The problem is, they have an online advertisement looking for drivers to do local runs but the recruiter either didn't know about it or the ad is just a "hook" in a way. They might turn out to be only OTR without seniority, which, for at least a couple more years, is not an option for me.
Here's May's new-hire schedule, for those interested:
*3 days in a hotel for orientation or reimbursement for local commuting expenses *CDL tuition reimbursement if you paid out-of-pocket. *$450 per week during training - not sure how long that would be but it's OTR *team or solo, once you're comfortable from training *your own truck, if you choose solo - and they are purdy *a choice of 11 western states or the lower 48 *2-3 weeks on and one day off for each week OTR *30 cpm for the first 6 months *31 cpm after the first 6 months *$4,000 bonus after the first year, for committing to them further *fun group of people who like to liven things up for good morale ...picnics, barbeques, get-togethers, etc.
If they turn out to be only OTR. I won't be able to commit.
I'll keep you posted.
-mountain girl
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
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.
CPM:
Cents Per Mile
Drivers are often paid by the mile and it's given in cents per mile, or cpm.
Pre-hire:
What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?
Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.
We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.
A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment
The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.
During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
Youre welcome! Just callin them as I see em. Oh, and knock off the sir business lol
and knock off the sir business lol
...oops. There must be a hard-ass gunney out there, somewhere. It was a formality in speech, not a reference to possible, former rank. lol.
-mountain girl
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Old School, I SO appreciate your words of wisdom and encouragement. Thank you for taking the time to elaborate.
...And yep. I do get humbled often.
Stay safe out there.
-mountain girl