Profile For Sam H.

My terminal manager fought to keep me, but upper management said to let me go.

Need some info please. I'm 6 months into driving, been running about 2500 to 3000 miles a week and I stay out 4 to 5 weeks at a time. My problem is that I have had 2 preventables and a non preventable accident during that time. The 2 preventables were scraping a trailer in a truck stop and barely backing into a truck at a delivery. By barely I mean I was almost at a stop and just nicked the driver side door of another truck. It did cause minor damage and it was a bonehead move on my part. The non preventable happened in the mountains of West Virginia on a narrow mountain road when I had to go off the road to avoid an oncoming car that had drifted into my lane. It was bail out or hit him. He kept going and I had major damage to my trailer. I was hauling about 40000 pounds of Coors and didn't lose a drop. Can anyone out there give me a list of companies that would be willing to get me going again? I'm just not ready to throw in the towel and I know that I can do the job. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Going to orientation this Tuesday in Pensacola. Can't tell you anything from my own experience but in doing my research it appears that they are a good place to be. Sure hope so since I'll be driving for them.

What terminal are you training at? I'm going to Pensacola on the 19th and I'm hoping for an auto. Did you say you would be getting a new one? I'll cross my fingers and hope for the same thing. Good luck and safe driving.

Sam

Bad Bob

Do they do any testing in an automatic. That's what I took my test in. Drove a 10 speed manual last time driving but it's been several years. I'm sure the 13 speed would be no problem, but I hate to be testing the first time I drive one. Looks like I'll be starting on the 19th. Can't wait. Happy to hear it's going well and you like the company. That's a huge plus

Sam

BB

Took my driving test today and everything went great. Looks like I'll try to get to orientation about the middle of next month. How did it go for you today. Any feedback about the process would be appreciated Good luck and safe driving

Sam

BB

I'd like to find out about the books you wrote. I'm a big reader so I may want to read them. Talked to Zena today and she sent me the info on what to bring to orientation. I'm hoping to go about the third week of April if all goes well. Do you know when you will be starting. Would be nice if it was about the same time. I am really pumped about going back over the road. Last time I hit 42 states and really enjoyed it.

Take care and be safe Sam

Hello 18 Wheels

Congrats on your choice. I'm also going to May in Pensacola, probably around the middle of April. I have to get my CDL back since I let it lapse. I take the driving test the 29th of this month and should have now problem. All my b'ground checks etc are done so I just need verification that I have my CDL back.

Unlike you and Bad Bob I'm hoping to go with an automatic. I can drive manuals and I did the last time out, but I'm getting lazier in my old age. I just don't want to be pushing in the clutch in heavy traffic like in LA, Atlanta, Chicago or the Baltimore/DC area. Old age (67) will do that to you.

I'm in Texas right now but we're moving to Foley, Al when our house is finished so I'll only be about 30 miles from the Pensacola terminal. Like Bad Bob I did a lot of research and I really feel good about May. I like the guaranteed pay also. If you drive over 2100 miles a week you can look forward to getting some $$ - good deal

Best of luck to you and I hope to meet both you and BB soon. We'll all be at about the same level to start so we'll have to keep in touch and help each other learn the ropes

Sam

Bob,

I think we made a good choice. Who are you talking to in the recruiting department? I've talked to Zena out west and Darlene in Pensacola and they have both been really helpful. I got back behind the wheel on Saturday, my first time since 2007 and the feeling was great. Drove the course I will get tested on a few times and I really feel confident. So glad that I remembered so much. Just need to shine up my backing and parallel park and I'm ready to go. Hopefully I'll drive good enough to not have to be with a trainer for too long, but I'll do that for as long as they want until they let me go solo. Best of luck to you and be safe. Hope to see you at the terminal or out on the road. Looking forward to meeting you.

Hey Bad Bob - I'll be getting my CDL here in Texas at the end of the month and will be going to May around the middle of next month. I'm 67 now so I'm really feeling old to be getting back into OTR. I drove OTR around 10 years ago but had to stop due to a family emergency and I didn't think I ever would go back but things have worked out so that I can. Are you going to the Pensacola terminal? I have to say that I did a lot of research in trying to find a company that I felt comfortable with and May seems like the right one. Everyone I have talked to there has been helpful and nice. Good luck and hope to see you there in the near future. Please keep us filled in on how it goes as you go thru orientation, etc. It will give me an idea of what to expect. Be safe.