He passes my basic test. Unfortunately, the BIG companies think that ONE PALTRY day off for each week out is reasonable. Personally, I DON'T!

That's why I found a smaller company to work for. I drive team and go coast to coast every week, and then get 2 or 3 days off.

Solos usually can't get home weekly unless they take REGIONAL jobs. It just takes too long to go "out there" and back as a solo. Unfortunately, most companies can't afford to let a rig sit for a week off after only being out for 3 weeks. This may be an unreasonable goal for you/him.

But, again.... there may be a smaller company with a "niche" that can accomodate you.

 

Iwould like to know if you like your job. sleeping in a truck,driving alot,being away from home. There has to be reasons why you do it. Do you like it or is it the money.

 

Well... it ain't JUST the money, honey! :lol:

Seriously, I don't mean to put you off, but you're asking questions that have already been asked. Scan the board. Go back a page or two on each forum.

Here's a place to start, concerning your last question:

http://www.classadrivers.com/phpBB2/...ic.php?t=25677

And, yea, I LIKE sleeping in the truck! The bunk is MUCH bigger than the couch I sleep on at home! :shock:

 

In Feb. a guy from my barn on the same shift as me got on at the new Wal-Mart DC east of town here in Reno. He had a whopping 8 months of driving experience with Schneider and Con-Way. He did have something like 15-20 years working airline ground crew though.

Last I talked to him he actually took a pay cut from LTL to run a yard goat there but he's much happier.

But that is here in the super strong sellers market for drivers here in Northern NV.

 

Hey Ian did you get your new uniforms yet?

 

I hadn't driven a manual transmission more than two or three times, never backed a trailer, and I got through some rough initial times and made a successful career out of this crazy nonsense.

Driving in the bad stuff is a little different. I was supremely confident in my ability to drive in anything in my car, and I still am, but driving in bad stuff in a big truck still scares the crap out of me after 10 arduous winters. I don't think I'll ever stop being terrified of winter in a big truck, and I think maybe that's why I'm still alive.

I think a big key to success is knowing when you can't go any further, and parking the son of a bitch until some other time, then counting the super truckers in the ditches the morning after. I've never been sorry I parked it, that's for sure.

But that's probably a whole nother topic unto itself. I'll shut up now.

 

:lol: :lol: What is an arduous winter like Silvan?? I know...it isn't funny...but...it really is. I've never been afraid of driving in "adverse" conditions. Of course...I grew up in Montana..learned to drive there..and have been up and down the Rockies numerous times, in trucks the BBR's wouldn't park next to, then or now. Have never had an accident..because I have never taken the risk. I'm not afraid to hang every ounce of iron on the truck, if that makes it safe. I also have no problem grabbing a room, if I feel it is the safest thing to do.


And your right...the key to success....and safety..is knowing when to park it. If there is any reason in a Driver's mind to be concerned...then it should be parked.....anytime of year.

 

Sellers market, as in more jobs then drivers?

 

Work for a manufacturer if you can. It's tough, but they are around.
I'm gone 3 days max, then home for a night, then back every weekend.
The job is REAL tough to learn, but I like it now that I've got my first year and a half behind me.
I made 57,000 my first year, but you will not do that well if you just follow the recruiters around. Your husband has to make his own phone calls to lots of companies; even those who say they want 2 years experience. That's how I got my job. I was 60 when I started.

 

what do you mean manufacturer? He makes 45 now as a machinest but might be losing his job or makjing it hard to stay there. You do like your job? Thank you