Profile For Joseph B.

Old School, thank you so much!

While everyone's answers have been to some extent helpful, once again you've managed to break something down in a way I understand. I always love reading your articles and forum comments because somehow your way of explaining things works perfectly for me. Thanks again!!

Huge learning curve since you haven't touched a 10 speed in how long? And it was only for a few week's I'm guessing? So you never really got the chance to get proficient with it.

On the contrary, I drove a 10-speed for a little over four years. I've only been in an automatic for 6 months.

Several people have pointed out that Hurricane is a lease only company. They are not, they have several company divisions (not very large, but they are there). I was looking into both sides of it. Yes I know that leasing is generally terrible and is to be avoided but I still tend to do the research anyway, even if only to demonstrate to myself and my family WHY it should be avoided.

Are they doing heavy haul?

Nope. As far as I know they just do reefer. Might have some dry van too but no heavy haul.

I am currently considering moving to a new company (Hurricane Express) and as far as I can tell they use exclusively 18-speed transmissions. I trained on a 10-speed and have driven nothing but that and automatics since getting my CDL. Wanted to know if there's a steep learning curve in making the switch and if there are any tips or tricks I should know.

KLLM is an absolutely fantastic company, and if you're interested in that sort of thing they have hands-down one of the best lease-purchase programs in the industry. I had VERY few minor complaints in the four and a half years I drove for them. (Took some time off the road...would have gone back but my current company threw a whole bunch of money at me to come drive for them. )

Bear in mind that KLLM, like most companies, still has most of their freight in the east coast area but you do get out west fairly regularly (especially if you have a good relationship with your DM). I can't speak about other companies except Tribe Express (don't go to them except as a company driver. I do fairly well as one. Their lease program isn't terrible but they're not an efficiently-run company and it shows in the settlements).

Also, important to note is that KLLM is a reefer company. They get dry loads but are not a dry van company.

1) I love going to the trucking museum at the Iowa 80 in Wolcott. 2) My wife and I like the Twin Arrows Casino on I-40 in Arizona, MM 219. Good food and nice bonuses for truckers 3) If you are interested in NASA, there is a really cool place in MS next to the Welcome Center at the border on I-10, the Infinity Science Center. You can park your truck right there in their parking lot, but I don't think they allow overnight, you would have to get back to the rest area. No biggie, it's right next door! 4) Next door to the Love's in Ellis, KS (I-70 exit 145) is the Cancun Mexican Grille. Hands down and without hyperbole the BEST Mexican food out there 5) The North South Cafe in Robards, KY (US-41) is amazing, for about $10 I had one of the best southern homestyle breakfasts in my life. It is family owned and operated, and the family really knows what they are doing.

Those are just a few off the top of my head...there are lots more, if you have the opportunity be sure to share them!

Congratulations! I know how you feel about it, I used the High Road Training Program myself when I got my CDL 3 years ago. I recommend it to everyone who is looking at getting their CDL, it is one of the best training programs for written testing I have ever seen!

I have not experienced this firsthand, so just consider that when reading my answer...the information below is hearsay, stuff that I have discussed with other drivers.

I don't see that this should be an issue. Companies that look to hire you are not looking at your long form, they only want to know that you have a current medical card. If you passed your physical and got the full 2-year card you should be fine. If they ask if you are currently taking medication, you can honestly say "No". Don't be dishonest EVER, but you also don't need to provide unrequested information. I don't think I have ever heard of a driver being asked "have you ever in your life taken medication?" or something of the like.

A trucking company cannot revoke your CDL. They didn't issue it, and they can't take it away. They can fire you, cut your miles, and do whatever to make your job hell, but your CDL belongs to you and the state that issued it.

Steve, I loved it. My first dispatcher had been with the company for 27 years, he knew everything there was to know and could do things a lot of the others couldn't. He always had a preplan load ready for me the day before I delivered the one I was on, I never had to wait around for him. When he retired I got a newer guy who I had to train a little bit, but we worked together really well. I think the pay rate could have been a little higher, it wasn't really matching the market, but it was still pretty good and I brought home plenty of money. They treated me really well and I only once had to fight with them to make sure they got me home when I was scheduled. There was no pressure to lease a truck, they were just as happy having you as a company driver. (I leased a truck anyway, as they have one of the best lease purchase programs in the industry.) All in all, I would say they are a wonderful company to work for, especially for a new driver. They focus on safety and training, instead of just trying to churn out butts in the seats. The only real problem I has was their referral program - I referred a driver and he was poached out of driver school by FFE (KLLM and FFE are both owned by the same group). Turns out you only get the referral bonus if the driver you refer goes with KLLM.