Day Thirteen of OTR Training 07/24/07
After a few hours of waiting, we finally got assigned a load going from Chicago to Dallas-Fort Worth area. I got the pleasure of driving through rush hour traffic on I-55 in Chicago. I have driven through it before in my p/u, but it was a completely different experience in a “big rig”.

We are shut down just outside our customer as we have an 8am pick-up. This load is scheduled to be delivered on Friday and then my trainer is heading home. Although he has offered to let me stay at his house, I will instead take advantage of the opportunity and rent a car to head home myself.

 

I went by Sage Truck School in Caldwell, Idaho today. Just drove by as they were closed. It wasn't much to look at. A small bldg for classroom and a big gravel lot with a bunch of cones and some old equipment. I guess they have to keep their costs down too. I sent them an email two days ago and they still have not replied. Devildice, How did you go about researching companies? Did you send off emails to companies in hopes that they would contact you or did you call recruiters directly? Am I too soon to start looking at companies? There is a Company called May Trucking Company that has a terimnal close to where I live. Anyone know much about them?

 

OO North dallas...Thats where I am at, may be you will see me...ahah. I am in the carrollton area if thats where your headed., but know dallas real good.

 

Hey Devildice,

Hubby was just in Chicago the other day! If you get a chance to see the Walcott Iowa truck stop I hear it is quite a sight!

Enjoy your time off!

Goin Fer It's Wife

 

CF,

"Goin Fer It" had a journal when he was at MTC. He now works for Davis Transport, but the link to the journal is http://www.classadrivers.com/phpBB2/...ic.php?t=18912

IMO, you should fill out applications, email companies, and call recruiters. Cover all your bases and find out what companies are interested in you and vis versa. Calling recruiters is not going to hurt you getting a job; It can only help(eg. Are you qualified/not qualified, What schools and courses would they recommend, etc.). Beware that recruiters often only tell you the good side of their company and the industry, but their job is to find qualified candidates for their company. Use them as a resource because that is what they are there for.

If the Sage office is closed in Caldwell, then contact the one in Couer d'Alene. The director there is Will Hill. I talked to him and he is great guy. I am going to school in CDA in September. He can tell what's about the Sage school in Caldwell.

BOL.

 

I called recruiters, read threads on various forums, and the best info came from current drivers of companies I was interested in.

Simple awnser is NO it's never too early. I can tell you that when I 1st started my research, CRE was at the top of my list. I thought for sure I was going to sign on with them. As I conducted my research, they quickly moved down the list until they fell off it completely!! If you have the time, research them (a company) thouroghly. Make a list of YOUR priorities and see how a particular company fits into it. When you think you've narrowed your list down, do some more research.

As many have said before, there is no such thing as a "perfect" company. You have to figure out what or who will meet YOUR needs the best. For me, Davis is does not have the highest starting pay, but they make up for it in many other ways.....one being that they are truely a driver friendly company. They practice what they preach in regards to them knowing that their drivers are the backbone of the company and they do everything possible to keep us happy.

keep us posted on what you find out. I know I am still as green as the grass, but if there is anything I can do to help, please lket me know.

 

We stopped there for fuel yesterday and I got a quick glance at it. All I can say is WOW :shock: . One of these days if all the stars align just right, I will stop there over night and check it out.

 

I finally heard back from Sage Trucking School in Caldwell Idaho. I have an appointment to talk to the Director on Monday. Sounds like they can be flexible and and let me continue my present job and go to school at the same time. So I will probably start school in a month or so. Now I need to buckle down and start doing alot of research on different companies. I would like to get one that has a terminal close to where I live. (Boise Idaho). Anyone know of how many different companies run terminals form out here?

 

Glad to hear things might work out the way you want. You know Davis's main terminal is just down the road in Missoula :wink:

 

Day Fourteen of OTR Training 07/25/07
Since we shut down right outside our shipper last night, we got to sleep in a little. Our pick up appointment was at 8am and by 8:20am they called us in the warehouse. We have a little over 42,000lbs on deck and it was rather easy to strap and tarp (at least it is with 2 people).

By 9:30am we were on the road and just missed the heaviest of the Chicago morning rush hour traffic. We made it all the way to Mount Vernon, MO and shut down for the night. Technically, we are ahead of schedule as we only have about 400 miles to go and the load is not due until Friday. This is all because Davis plans their deliveries at 500 miles per day increments and the day you load does not count (hope that makes sense). We will get to our customer sometime tomorrow afternoon and cross our fingers that they will unload us early. If not, it’s no big deal as we will unload as scheduled on Friday.

Once we unload, we will head to my trainers house which is only about 75 miles away and depending on when we get there, I will be renting a car and heading home to San Antonio. Although this is not the norm, it’s kind of nice to break up my training by going home for a couple of days.