Profile For Craig M.

I start with US Xpress on Monday for orientation. I am going to be teaming with a guy I met in truck driving school. I looked at tons of companies both from the solo point of view and from the team point of view. I agree I have heard numerous negative things about team driving. Having to sleep while in a truck that is moving. (I can fall asleep anywhere.) Spending more time alone with someone you barely know, or dont know at all than you do your family. (We hit it off immediately in trucking school, team players always find a way to work through problems, plus we live six miles from each other. Home time will be much easier to deal with because of this.) I found US Express has the best pay, especially if you have Hazmat and tanker endorsements. Great equipment. Great sign on bonus. Now, let me revisit this when I am done with my training and we get assigned our truck. It could be all bs spewed. But, I kinda of doubt it. US Xpress is really focusing on finding team drivers. I will keep you posted.

I just finished school. I had a very hard time at first down shifting. Once I started doing what some of the veterans here suggested I was able to get the hang of down shifting. Slowing your vehicle till it is in the 1000 RPM range before you attempt to take it out of gear is key for successful downshifting. Atleast for me it was. Once in neutral I would then rev it to about 1400 RPM and then drop it into the next lower gear. Some variation is needed if going up a hill or down a hill. If going up hill take it out of gear at about 1200, if going down hill take it out of gear at 800 RPM. Of course, minor differences in different trucks. I hope this helps. You will get it, just keep practicing. Good Luck!

Thanks Brett! Totally pumped and ready to roll... after vacation ;)

Well Ifinally have my CDL A. I made it on the first try, although parallel parking was tough. Now trying to wade through all the offers and figure out what to do next!

I am currently enrolled at Blue Ridge Community College in Weyers Cave Virginia. Virginia just adopted a new testing policy where prior to the road trip you have to parallel park to both sides (Inspector picks which side during test, but you have to be able to do both) and you also have to offset to both sides. The truck I am training in is 68 ft and 3/4" long. The space we have to fit into is 140 feet without encroaching the "curb" we a backing into. You get two pull ups and 2 out of the cab "checking" opportunities. I am doing well in all facets of the class, backing, driving, tight turns, bumping docks, getting into "tough" docks and warehouses. But everyone in the class is struggling with the parallel parking. Most of the instructors have it down, but they also have a combined 2 centuries of experience. I have searched for some info online about parallel parking a big rig and trailer but have not found any "good" info. Can anyone steer me in the right direction? I have heard some other states are already doing this. Thanks.

Congrats! Glad to hear it!

Awesome I passed General Knowledge, Combos, and Air Brakes! Now onto the endorsements. School starts June 22nd!

I know the knowledge test you can only take 3 times without having to go to some class. Are the combos and air brakes test the same or can I take them an unlimited amount of times. ( hopefully I will pass right away but I want to know going in.)

Wow. Agreed the guy in the Camaro is a jerk. So is the guy in the pickup truck. Dumb just dumb.

I found this article. Interesting read. http://www.landlinemag.com/Story.aspx?StoryID=28920#.VTxdtyF3m1k