Profile For Derek P.

Kylan, You may want to look at CRST. They have a lot of freight, train you, and you don't pay for the training if you to stay with them for 8 months. They are one of the companies listed on Company-Sponsored Training. I start school with them next week so I can't vouch for them, but I have been impressed with their promptness. There are a couple other truckers on this forum who work for them and they seem busy (important to me) and content; and it's only 8 months in contrast to a year. You being on the fence and all, CRST may be a company to look into.

Regator, the fact that he addressed you as "hun" told me all I needed to know about ol Zach, there...

Would you prefer 'Cher' (don't know how to spell it, but my Cajun in-laws use it all the time lol)

Yeah, that's more a term that older folks use for young'uns...and yes, you spelled it right..its a pidgin form of the work "cherie" literally translated it means, "cherry"..but it's used as a term of endearment..

I always wondered what it meant, my ex father-in-law passed several years ago and he was the only I ever heard use it until the X-Men cartoon lol. I use Hun and Sweetie like I use Man or Bro. Never figured on anybody taking offense. Like you said, a regional thing I guess.

Regator, the fact that he addressed you as "hun" told me all I needed to know about ol Zach, there...

Would you prefer 'Cher' (don't know how to spell it, but my Cajun in-laws use it all the time lol)

Regator, the fact that he addressed you as "hun" told me all I needed to know about ol Zach, there...

I use "hun" all the time, It's pretty common around here...what does that tell you about me?

Zach I had just come off vacation. No one knew I was back because I have an apu and it was on all week. I had put myself available at 8 am even though my load loaded at 6pm. I did go thru extra hassel put got paid FOR EVERYTHING that I did including the trailer repair. I didnt have to but I take care of my DM and she takes care of me. I rarely say no and am relied on hevily which is why im #1 on her board for miles. Yes I can say no but I wont because I like to help and it benifits me in the long run. If I ask for anything I get it:) Guess it pays to be nice.

Well hun ,it all comes down to compensation.I'd rather be paid my $40 per hour driving my rig down the road instead of $12-15 per hour playing local shuttle driver .Taking "care" of your DM is great grand and wonderful and if it gives you a warm and fuzzy feeling ,then go for it; sooner or later though ,you'll realise he/she doesnt give one wit about you ,his/her only concern is moving the freight.

RedGator,

I say you have the right idea and its the attitude I'm planning on having toward my DM. I am new to trucking (haven't even started school yet) but I know people and I have managed them for almost 15 years and I know from experience that the people I can count on are the people I take care of. I have no doubt DMs are the same way...it's human nature. Sure, they have to think about the business first but most people understand that part of that business is your people, in this case the people taking care of your customers are your drivers. As drivers we're not going to be first priority to our DMs but if we are 'go-get-hers' we will be on the list. Anyone who doesn't realize this has probably not had much success with people in general.

I am about to start school with CRST early next month. I am overwhelmingly thankful for this site. It helped me choose how to get my training, where to go for said training, and have a good understanding of what I was getting in to. I have spent several weeks reading the forums and am now starting the High Road CDL Training to get me ahead of the game before school. All of you have been extremely helpful without even knowing it. I look forward to working for the same company as some of you and the same industry as the rest of you. I will have many questions in the future and will feel comfortable asking them from you, a group of professionals willing to help. Again, THANK YOU all!!!