Profile For Johnny G.

I started feeling some pains in my shoulders about 6 weeks ago . . . they got more intense after I ate and when I did anything strenuous like hooking/unhooking my trailer . . . I finally got home long enough to see my own doctor . . . he had me do lab work and take a stress test . . . "Well?" I asked . . . "get your butt to the hospital - now!" was the short version of his answer . . . I'm writing this from my hospital bed . . . my kidneys were failing and now I'm in for a few procedures and six weeks off before I can continue to drive (which I WILL return to ASAP) . . . one complicating factor is that I went lease/op right out of training . . . I was going to give myself 1 full year before I weighed in on the whole "Do I or don't I" about leasing . . . I will make one comment, though . . . my good friend Ken C. (I have the distinct pleasure of calling both Ken C and Daniel B good friends as a result of both this website and Prime training) stayed on as a company driver and so I was able to directly compare my experience to his . . . I enjoyed the freedom of the lease over being a company driver and I averaged $1,000 per week income (keep in mind I have to pay ALL my own txes out of that) so when I go back, I'll do another lease . . . because of the time off I will need to terminate the lease and turn in the truck (it had 30 miles on it when I got it) so I'm more sad about that then the medical stuff I am facing . . . thank you Old School for that thoughtful, personal email you sent me . . . that's one classy guy, Old School . . . anyway, I will post when I can and I hope I can keep the wolves at bay until I can start making "revenooo" again soon (Ken C gets that one) . . . so for those of you that are believers, I crave your prayers . . . those who aren't, send good thoughts my way . . . everyone, appreciate what you have becuse it can be taken away very quickly and without warning . . .

Jopa

SAP:Substance Abuse Professional

The Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) is a person who evaluates employees who have violated a DOT drug and alcohol program regulation and makes recommendations concerning education, treatment, follow-up testing, and aftercare.

I'll be praying for you for a quick recovery. How scary health problems can be.

MI girlfriend (of 6 years) and I are going to be driving for Covenant Transport in about a week. We ordered some military bags to use as our dufflebag and they just arrived, the problem is they are pretty big! Perhaps too big...

Here is a link to the bags.

here is a video showing the bag with a person, for scale.

We have two of these, and a bunch of little bags to go inside of them to keep everything organized...

Covenant has a unique "buddy system" for new drivers, it allows me and my girlfriend to drive in the same truck WITH the mentor. After we each complete 280 hours we will have our own truck.

We are concerned our bags may be TOO BIG to fit comfortably in the truck, considering there will be 3 of us in there... Our original thoughts were, "ohh these bags are tall, not long, perfect." but now that we have them we are having some reservations. We're considering sharing 1 dufflebag, but are still not quite sure if that will be too large.

I'm wondering what are the opinions of experienced drivers. Should we just get the standard size dufflebag?

Also, kinda off topic, but i'm interested in hearing any stories from other drivers with experience with Covenant's buddy system... (did alot of research on the internet and found some stories/info but didn't notice any comments from TT on the subject)

Thanks! I love Trucking Truth

So mike me and my wife are also going to covenant Sunday . I couldn't tell you for sure but I m guessing you're bags will be too big. We've got two duffle bags and two smaller bags, one sleeping bags and pillow. It is kinda of hard to get all you want in those bags but necessary,due to not much room. We are so excited to be going to covenant, feel free to text me at this number 5203058143.

Dany, my philosophy is that you will make this job what you want it to be by your work ethic and willingness to push through what ever difficulties arise to hinder you. As far as which companies are "good" I consider them all to be trucking companies - they've all got the same issues, because they are all trying to do the same thing, move freight from point A to point B.

So many people jump into this career with false assumptions based on foolish reports and notions that they have picked up from internet "review sites". Have you ever noticed how 99% of the people who post reviews are people who are dissatisfied in an extreme way? That in itself should be a big red flag to any thinking person. This business of being able to be anonymous, and being hidden behind a keyboard, has emboldened a bunch of people, who are generally failures at most things they attempt, to lay the blame for their ineptitude at the feet of "big greedy trucking magnates who are still practicing slavery in their business models".

What I'm trying to say is choose a company that you seem to like, and then get out there and prove yourself to them. Don't be looking for them to prove themselves to you - that is the current trend of thinking and it is so backwards that is a huge reason for the current 100% turn over rate in trucking. They don't have anything to prove - if you take a look at the walls of the offices of almost any trucking company that is being unfairly slammed on the internet you will find photos of drivers who have been there for ten and twenty years and put in millions of miles safely and very productively. Those guys didn't do that because it was a "good company" - they accomplished that because they were "good" drivers.

Dany, don't take me wrong, I'm not getting on to you for your question. I just like to point things out like this not only for the person who originally asks the question, but also for the many others who will read this later on. Your willingness to succeed and your drive to excel are the main ingredients for your success at this career. So don't worry so much about whose name is on the doors of the truck. I spent the first eighteen months of my career at a trucking company whose reputation is absolutely in the gutter by all internet review accounts, you couldn't ask for a company with more disparaging remarks against it. I excelled there, was always in the top group of drivers for productivity, and made some very good money despite the fact that their pay rate was very low. I'm not trying to toot my own horn, but rather the truth that you are the driving factor of your success at this. Any company out there who has a really hard working dependable driver who knows how to "get er done" will do all they can to keep that driver moving and satisfied. I have since moved on to a different company, but it wasn't because I thought the other guys were scumbags. I received a much better offer and I took advantage of that offer. That's the way it works - you prove yourself first, then you will find the doors of opportunity opening up to you.

One of the biggest problems with getting started in this career is the sheer difficulty of getting oneself accustomed to all the many consequences of your own decisions and choices while out there on the road. It is tricky to say the least to get the hang of all this stuff during the first six months of doing this. People end up with negative consequences due to some of their own poor choices or decisions as to how to handle their job or manage their time. It is not easy breaking into this career. New drivers will inevitably make some bad choices while on the road. It is important to recognize when you make a mistake and learn from it. Your driver manager will come to depend on you and treat you really well if you are a dependable driver. People tend to give up and blame their company for not getting enough miles, or not making enough money to live on, as if they were being mistreated by the greedy company. But I can guarantee you that at which ever company that is getting slammed on the internet for mistreating their employees, there are a group of competent drivers who are getting more miles dispatched to them than they know how to handle because those drivers have proven themselves again and again. The reason you don't hear from them on those internet reviews is because they are in their sleeper catching some much needed rest so they can give 110% during their next on duty time period.

Old school you always seem to give good advice. It's all about the attitude Right ?

Thought i would do a quick update. This is YTD as of 11/28/14. The most important things are the Gross and Net YTD.

Ok, so you made about 38k for one year net doing teams. When the recruiter talked to me on the phone he made it sound like teams would be pulling in around 70k each year. You made decent money but I think they would have a better rep if the recruiter were more straight forward. I am also assuming with all of your experience you are getting paid much more than a greenhorn. I was hoping my first year would net me close to 40k but if you are getting that much with all of your experience I am a little worried about what a greenhorn would get paid for his first year.

Good point ! It makes me worried a little also

< p>Hey Johnny, welcome to the forum!

If I were you I wouldn't concern myself so much with the money right now. You and your wife are going to be surprised at how much you can make teaming together, but realize that you guys are new at this and that first year can be a real test of ones abilities to "stick it out". There is so much that you will be learning, and so much that you will be experiencing. Sometimes it can be stressful and trying, but it is also very rewarding. I just want you to prepare yourselves mentally for a trying time. There are so many challenges when you first start driving a truck. There are rude people at the places you will go, and crazy schedules to try and keep - you will learn the true meaning of what it means to "hurry up and wait" a thousand times over. Things will happen beyond your control, and as rookies you are not always going to be getting the best loads.

Here's what you want to focus on - do the best job you can while being safe and reliable. We tell people all the time to be extra careful to "not hit anything". It is vitally important to the future of your career that you make that first year out there one with a clean safety record. Don't be surprised if you or your wife, or maybe both of you, end up having feelings that you are wondering "what have I got myself into"? This happens to almost everyone who starts out in this career. It is so much more than just a good job, it is a whole new lifestyle, and that is what takes the most to adjust to.

I think you guys can do really well at this, and I am really glad you are going to give it a try. Just make yourself a commitment to hang in there for one year of safe driving. That first year will be full of challenges, but the great part about that is that you are constantly learning new skills, and developing new strengths and strategies at how you can succeed at this rewarding career. When problems arise, and they will, you can always jump in here for some advice, and who knows, maybe one day you will be in here giving helpful encouragement and advice to other rookies who are concerned about their new job, or their past felonies, or any of the many other things that you have experienced success with.

Best of luck to ya! And, if you can find the time, keep us posted on how things are going for you guys - we love hearing the success stories from people who have come through here looking for help.

Oh, by the way, we have an absolutely free training program here that you and your wife could benefit from for gaining the knowledge to easily pass those state exams, it is the High Road Training Program, check it out, you'll be glad you did. One more thing, your wife may enjoy visiting the Ladies Of Trucking Forum, where the gals can visit privately without us guys bothering them too much.

Happy to hear from you old school .I know your right when you say we will have some challenges .My instructor Always says slow is your friend.

So nomad girl the reason we were thinking my wife would go over the road first is because her job doesn't pay well .We have the money to last until we're on the road but not much more. Plus we've talked about going over the road for a while. My question to you is will team driving bring 8 to 1000 a week like I've heard? We're willing to be out 2 months at a time if that's what it takes.

Even as a rookie team you can over that amount without trying to hard and you do not have to be out 2 months at a time.

nice to hear !! It's hard to really know what kind of money we're looking at. Every one always tells me different Things

David I'm taking a longer course because of money. The government Well pay for my CDL but it takes 3 to 4 months.

Makes sense. Was just currious. Did you look into Company-Sponsored Training as well? no cost up front and after 1 yr with the company your cdl is free. apart from Prime training is 3-4 weeks.. (primes is 3 weeks to 6 months)

I did look at Swift & knight for training but both said no because of old felonys.

David I'm taking a longer course because of money. The government Well pay for my CDL but it takes 3 to 4 months.

I think it's better if you get your CDL before your wife. Once you are trained, she can come on board and you can mentor her. Especially since she has a job, she can do that while you learn the ropes. Once you start making money, it'll make sense for her to quit her job and join you. Just my opinion.

So nomad girl the reason we were thinking my wife would go over the road first is because her job doesn't pay well .We have the money to last until we're on the road but not much more. Plus we've talked about going over the road for a while. My question to you is will team driving bring 8 to 1000 a week like I've heard? We're willing to be out 2 months at a time if that's what it takes.

Wow jopa! The felony thing is something that has weighted heavy on my mind. The recruiter at covenant told me my felony won't be a problem.i wasn't sure if I was getting a bunch B.S but its nice to know they won't waste their time doing that.