This time, I will be solo. That will be alot different from the team driving Kim and I did. With that the truck could stay moving all the time. As a solo, I will be REQUIRED to have a 10 hr break/down time after 14hrs on duty or 11 hrs driving. So I will sleep in a parked truck!
I have done alot of research again to find a company that will take me with the break I have had. There are a few that will work with me, I fall into the category of 6mo experience within the last 3 years. One of these was Maverick, a really great sounding company, can't really find too much negative about them, however, they are a flatbed company. Kim thinks I am too much of a clutz to do that. Drivers have to strap and tie down the loads, and often throw tarps over the load, climbing all over the trailer and load.
Soooo, on with the search. SRT came next. They are a Reefer outfit out of Little Rock Ark. Had a good report of them by an ex instructor and friend of ours that drove for them for awhile. I applied last Nov, and got accepted, but put them on hold while some other options with Southwest Airlines, and Flightsafety, and a couple others played out. After keeping track of them on several forums, I just decided there was too much negative and kept my search going when Kim and I decided I HAVE to do something NOW.
Lastly, along comes US Xpress. They are a larger company, based in Chattanooga, Tn. They seem to have newer equipment than SRT, and more options. Alot of their fleet are automatics, so that will be different if I end up with one of those.
As of right now, I am scheduled to go to Dallas next Wed, 26 Feb for a 3 day orientation. Because I have previous experience, I won't have to go out with a trainer after orientation. Will be given a truck, and hit the road again. Orientation involves a physical exam, drug test, driving eval, review of my application and history, filling out all their forms, and I am sure safety briefings, intro to the way USX operates, etc.
We (Kim and I) are not really overjoyed that we will be separated like this, however, we do what we must, and we must pay bills, and live. I will "pay my dues" here for awhile and see how it goes. There are alot more options that open up after a year, and even more after 2years experience. I should be able to get a job/route where I am home every couple days to weekly by then. My goal is to get to the point where I control where and when I go, not totally in someone elses hands. That only comes with time and experience.
Sooo,,here we go again,,"on the road again" ,,and maybe I will be able to see some of my friends when I pass thru your towns!!
1 comment:
So how is the trucking with USX?
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