Profile For hamrhed12

Am I the only weird person who can sleep ( and I prefer to sleep) when the truck is moving ?? I like the movement of the truck, its a free back massage....I like the engine sound, it lulls me to sleep. What I don't like is when TSB has the CB AND the radio on...who the heck can listen to them both

No, you're not. My trainer is sawing logs (loudly) within moments of turning in, moving or sitting still. He keeps telling me I'll adjust to it. I just hope it's sooner rather than later.

Brett, my trainer is awesome. He doesn't yell much, just talks loud! But, seriously, we get along great and, as a bonus, he lives in Jacksonville too!

And, thanks Ms. RedGator. I'm hoping to tough it out and get over it ASAP because team driving is definitely in my future...at least as long as I'm with Covenant.

This will be quick and dirty, because I’m kinda tired right now.

I reported to Covenant in Chattanooga on April 22 for orientation, and by April 26, I was in a truck with a trainer. Been OTR for the last 3 weeks and I’m at home right now for a little R & R. In that time I’ve traveled approximately 12,000 miles and been places I’ve never been before: Phoenix, Albuquerque, L.A., Long Beach, Kansas City, San Antonio. I was all up and down “tornado alley” a week before the devastating storms hit Oklahoma.

Except for fueling and showers, my trainer avoids truck stops, preferring to park in shopping centers where there are restaurants and 24 hr. stores like Walmart where restrooms are handy. We average 1 meal a day, sustaining ourselves the rest of the time with munchies like trail mix, dried fruit and nuts.

I drive mostly at night and sleeping during the day in a moving truck has proven to be more difficult than I anticipated. As a result, I drive tired quite a bit and I usually start to fade after about 7 hours, requiring a pull-over and power nap. This has been my most difficult challenge to overcome thus far and something I must figure out for myself if I’m going to make it in this industry.

Well, that’s the Cliff Notes version. I’ll try to be more informative and interesting in the future!

I am here, my CPU doesn't like this new forum.

If you have any questions about Schneider feel free to ask. SNI does have the Home Run Program, out 14 home 7. But it is slip seat like the other poster said. They also have a variety of PODS with different days out and home. You can basically pick what you want.

Good to see a post from ya, Jake! Do you still converse with MD64?

Schneider was a top consideration. They had my dream job...hazmat tanker team open to recent CDL grads. Problem - I live 50 miles outside the hiring area and they would make no exceptions, even though I already have all the necessary endorsements. So they offered a solo gig out of JAX, but it just didn't fit my current want list. Schneider is a definite possibility for the future, though. They have a big oil fields division in TX that may be a good fit once I get a year OTR. We'll see.

I may be mistaken..but any company that does a 20 out/10 home will be a "slip seat" situation.

Definitely something to inquire about when considering the more exotic driving scheds, but I knew a guy over in Hawthorne who ran a 14/7 for Roehl. He got to take his truck home with him.

Yes,

I talked with Covenant , plus their recruiter had come out to our school... I did put paperwork in with them, they seemed like a good outfit from what I could tell. The 3 weeks out was the turnoff for me IF I could find something else, and I did with Schneider. Im ok with going solo but it was important to get home as often as I could to start. Talked with a recruiter yesterday and he told me about a company that was hiring teams, 20 days out and 10 days home. He didnt mention a name but based on the orientation cities I think it was Heartland Express. I could def work with that schedule!

Only problem is, Heartland requires 1 yr. OTR experience. They don't hire recent grads...at least not here. Roehl runs some schedules like that, but they still aren't hiring out of FL for the time being. They do from time to time, however, and they hire new grads.

You should be good. I had more than one solid offer when I made my selection. When I politely and promptly informed the others of my decision, they all asked me to keep them in mind in case things didn't work out where I was going.

I think you will find that prompt notification and an indication of your continued interest will yield positive results.

I agree, there are advantages to team, for sure. I would not mind it. Im keeping my options open for the next couple of weeks and then will make my move. Yes, the Schneider job out of jax is prob the one you looked at as well. Who are you looking at to go with team wise, and how is their sometime?

Covenant Transport. Catch a dog out of JAX @ 6:50 Sunday morning, arrive in Chattanooga, TN @ 7:35 p.m. I am told it runs 3 weeks out, 3 days home (1 day off for every 7 days out). Reckon I'll find out soon enough how long the recruiter's nose is!

What's this 20/10 you mentioned?

I can totally relate! I have a degree and many many years in the tech field and zilch! Have now gotten a few offers after getting my CDL Class A in Feb. I have been pre-approved and ready to go to Schneider as soon as I am ready. Will be doing orientation in Atlanta. Its for a solo seat. Those companies doing 20/10 off are appealing, im looking into those before i finally pull the trigger...

Good luck!

Hey, glad to know I'm not the lone stranger!

Schneider didn't feel quite right for me at this time, even though I consider them top shelf. (You probably applied for the same job as I)

Decided I wanted to drive team my first year...keep the wheels rollin' instead of sitting alone in my sleeper berth at truck stop after truck stop feeling sorry for myself (lol)!

Well, my time in service ended more than ten, more than twenty, heck, more than THIRTY years ago; too long ago to be recognized as for any value on most job apps! Tell you what though, I'll be reaching back and leaning heavily on my experience as a submarine sailor to get me through living in a truck! That will still be of GREAT value to me!

Thanks for the thanks, Starcar!