Profile For TwoSides

Day 12: Unloaded fine and everything went smoothly at the first drop. I had a little bit of an issue at my second stop getting the unit off the trailer. Nothing major, I had to build a bridge because the exhaust was scrapping the trailer when I was trying to unload it. Other than that everything was fine.

There is a lot of movement that goes into this job. It's a lot more than flatbed and a lot dirtier. Being by yourself to unload is a lot of back and forth, side to side. Moving ramps, unchanging and most importantly G.O.A.L. I do not want to fall of the side of the trailer with this unit. Especially in front of the customer..

After I was done I met up with Bill. We were suppose to go pick up in KC and take it to Chicago but the KC yard was doing inventory. So we deadhead back to Springfield, OH.

Everything is going good so far. The drivers are nice, not one of them of said anything bad about the company. There are a wide range of drivers here, like any other place. From 23 yes old to 68. From city guys to country boys. It's a nice place so far.

Day 11: We arrived in Dallas and decided to park at the first delivery site. Didn't do much driving today since we made a huge dent in traveling yesterday. So now it's just waiting to unload first thing tomorrow morning.

Day 10: Anxious to get on the road. It's been a little over a month since I have been behind the wheel. Met with Bill in the yard around 8am and we load up.

We both have 2 stops in Dallas for Friday but our second stops are at different locations.

I'm getting comfortable with driving the units onto the trailer but still need lots of practice. It's tricky and a little nerve racking at first but it's coming along well. Listening to the loading assistance and taking it slow and steady is paramount.

We drive all day and stop a little south of Little Rock. I have to admit that it was a rush of adrenaline. Getting behind the wheel and driving again felt good. I also felt like it was my first day driving a truck. Turning will take practice, the wheel base is stretched and I'm not use to that at all.

Day 9: Again just chaining down units. It's very monotonous and it's hot out here. Only been doing this for 3 days and I'm already reevaluating my life choices. Truck after truck after truck for 12 hours. The only break time we have other than lunchtime is when one truck leaves and the other is backing in. I have total respect for the load assistance, their job is not easy.

We are to do this for a week and then follow behind a mentor for 2 weeks. I'm starting to think that Wheeler does it this way to weed out the weak and show the drivers just how much stress the loading assistance go through. There isn't much practice with driving the units on the trailer but I was able to drive a total of 10 onto the trailers by talking with the drivers and asking if I could practice.

Yesterday my mentor showed up to get loaded. Usually they assign a mentor at the end of the week but I already had mine lined up. My mentor is Bill and we have been in communication since I met him back in April. Talking with Bill he asked me how I liked it so far and I had to be completely honest. It's hard work but we both agree that it is necessary. He also told me that I will be getting out early. He's taking me to Texas with him on Wednesday. I'm excited about the news.

Day 7 and 8:

We are here to learn how to chain the units properly. At each terminal they have load assistance. Their job is to pull the units from the yard, stage them and help chain down the units for the drivers. So for a week, this will be our job. To work closely with the load assistance and learn. We are told that they help us, they are not our slaves. If we, the drivers, don't show the initiative to start working then they will not bother to come over to help.

At this terminal they have 3 docks. The load assistance drive the units on the docks/ramps and the driver pulls them on the trailer.

After the first unit is at the nose then it's time to stack them on each other. On the driver side their is a spotter. He is the one that gives the driver directions when loading the units on the trailer. It's very important to listen to his commands. He let's the driver know if he is straight or needs any type of direction. The spotter also puts the saddle in place for the unit to slide onto the next. He is under the unit and it's important not to over shoot the saddle because the unit will fall on him.

After the saddle is in place, the driver slides the unit forward and the spotter tells him how close he is to the cab of the vehicle in front of him. Then rinse and repeat until all units are on the trailer.

Sunday, the first day wasn't bad. About 15 trucks showed up to get loaded but it was hot as hell. Monday was brutal, about 45 trucks showed up throughout the day and it was hotter than yesterday.

Day 6: It's Saturday and today we drive from Flushing to Springfield in our new trucks. The Western Star has a smooth ride and I don't have any complaints with it. Its a different truck so I will have to learn how to drive it and get more comfortable. It does 67mph on the pedal and 70 on cruise. Im not use to passing people.....

We arrived in Springfield at the terminal around 1pm and we were told to wait for instructions. And wait and wait and wait. At about 7pm we were directed to the house at the end of the yard. We unpack and get ready for tomorrow 730pm start time

Thanks guys. Yea this is totally different from my first company. Im in a whole new world of trucking.

BK, to answer your question about miles per week, I was told to expect anywhere from 25 to 2800 starting off because I'm new. Drivers with a year or more experience average between 28 and 3300. Right now it's not about the miles, it's about learning and being safe.

Day 5: Today we off loaded the units we loaded yesterday. Its somewhat tricky getting the trucks to line up so they don't fall off either side of the trailer. Both loading and unloading. That is the most difficult part of this. Having to drive with both feet, one on the gas and the other on the brake, so there is no over throttling which can cause a lot of problems.

After unloading the units we did inventory on our equipment, received our prepass, EFS cards, GPS and instructions on what to do tomorrow when we arrive in Springfield. We practiced in the staging yard and the Springfield yard is the actual terminal where loads are shipped out.

This is similar to flatbed. Just as demanding and it's physical work. With repetition and learning I think it won't be as difficult as I thought. A lot of drivers say they like the company and thats a good thing. Everyone is helpful so far and it seems to be a friendly place.

Day 4: Today we were at the loading yard in Flushing and did some hands on work. We met with the training supervisor and got straight to work. He told us about all the equipment we would use, how to load and what to expect when at the yards for pickup and drop offs. We also did a practice load with one of the trailers. Spent about 8 hours with everything, talking about the equipment and loading.

That is a practice load we did. We all drove a truck up the ramp and onto the trailer. Then chained it down. It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. It's a lot of movement and can be tedious. With more knowledge and repetition it will become easier.

Also received my truck and trailer today. It's a 2024 Western star and I was assigned a step deck. Seems like I can't get away from the flatbed scene.

Tomorrow is back at the loading yard for more basic training. Next week we will be at the Springfield, OH yard for the real thing.

Day 2: Again at 7am we head over to the security building around the corner to meet with the security and safety dept. They talk to us about safety and the security of the equipment amd damages. We met with 5 people that day. Watched videos about loading and filled out more paperwork. Two 10 hour days of paperwork and videos is quite boring.

Day 3: 7am at the main office for more paperwork. Today we met with HR and went over the permit book. Also telling us about HR stuff like sexual harassment and things like that. Signing more documents and I'm starting to get a cramp in my hand. Tomorrow will be at the loading yard down the street at 8am. We were suppose to get assigned a truck today but only one guy got his. We will be assigned a truck tomorrow. Here they have mid roof Petes 389 i think?, Volvos, w990 Kennys, freightliners, and some westernstar trucks.

Today wasn't a 10 hour day and after we left we went to the yard to look at the truck that was assigned to the driver. He got a 13 speed standard w990 kenworth. It is nice. I guess he aced his road test hahaha. These trucks and trailers are very very different. I took a picture of one of the brand new Petes.