Profile For William L.

Hello All - It's been a while since I updated this. My 6 weeks are done, I upgraded to solo. I got my truck and went out for a week before I went home. I did 3 trips the first week, one with 2 stops. I went home for 4 days, and then I out again, currently sitting in Ft Bridger, wy. This is my 3 trip this time, I went to Georgia from indiana the first day, from GA back to IL days 2 and 3, and was supposed to go back to Ga, but the load was not ready, so I got my wish and got a west coast run from IL (1900+ payed miles). I should deliver on Monday with a short run to complete, leaving me with time to start back with my next load, then start running on recaps.

My truck is a 2017 Freightliner and has been good so far. My only bad experience, so far, has been with our road breakdown department. I am a company driver, not a lease operator. My truck got an engine checklight which has affected the switches (including dome light, mirror heat, utility lights - if you are familiar with frieghtliners, you know the row of switches I am referring to) - it also has affected all the light controls in the bunk area, luckily I still have Opti Idle working. I expected, when reporting this problem, for them to tell me go here and they will fix it (as they said it needed a freightliner dealer), BUT apparently they expect me to find my own repair site?? for a company truck??? Others have said when they reported issues, they were referred to somewhere and fixed in a reasonable amount of time. - maybe its who I talked to, but anyway - not at all what I expected. I will take it to my local freightliner dealer when I am home next, from what I have researched there is a short in the wiring as these switches are daisy-chained together.

My backing is improving, I have even had to blindside back at a yard as that was the only setup available. We never practiced this, so I was very happy I did it!

I find I like leaving early in the morning and driving then shutting down around 3-4 in the afternoon, this schedule works best for me, I just need to keep in my time changes. I have to wait here until after midnight local so I don't run out my 70 hour clock. I have 20 + hours for Sunday and Monday, then I get good recaps.

Anyway, as this was a training diary, this is my last post here. I will perhaps start another thread in another area.

Hello again, it has been 2 weeks since I got on the truck. My trainer is great, he is an old school trucker. We have basically been running as a team since day 2. We have been to the following states thus far - Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Nebraska, and Iowa. Since we have been team driving, we have had to do a few swaps for hot loads. To date, I have 5830 miles driven (in 2 weeks). My best day was 683. Least was 90. We still need to do some Northeast (PA) runs, we were actually headed to one when we got intercepted for a drop and swap back to California. I have driven into Cali on I-40 and I-80 to get a feel for the downgrades. I have also ran the Grapevine in California. I feel more and more comfortable every day - Backing into docks and parking is getting easier, although I still have my moments - and thanks to the many truckers who have offered to spot for me when this has occurred. These are the kind of people I admire in this business. I hope to always be willing to assist in the same way.

I am learning the logging and the Qualcom we use on our daily business. I don't care for Opti-idle on muggy evenings and I really hate the top bunk on those nights. That is why I like when we team drive, the lower bunk is much more comfortable even getting bounced around like you do while driving.

Now the bad - I have seen some very "road rage" susceptible truckers (TNI). What gives you the right to pass me and then brake check me on an upgrade endangering not only me but 6 other big rigs and 7 or 8 4-wheelers? I got your truck and trailer number, but decided NOT to report you. You sir, are an ******* and need to turn in your license. I do not know what you may have perceived in your mind what I did to offend you, but really???

I hope to update this later when we next get some downtime (My trainer took some hometime for the 4th so I am sitting in a hotel at this time).

Be safe out there and if you see a KLLM truck out there, give 'em a wave, it might be me!!!

Hey William. How strict is kllms background. Even if its 20 plus years since? Non violent.

I think they only go back 5 years or so. Not really positive on that

Great to hear your update.

I'm six weeks into Prime TNT but only half way through.

Will you be team driving in training?

Not sure how he will do it, I imagine at some point we will doing some team driving. He did say he put the trainee in the drivers seat from the start.

Heard from my trainer yesterday, was hoping to hook up with him tomorrow (Wednesday), however, Dispatch sent him south. Might work out if he gets a load heading north, I can meet up with him closer to my house rather than driving 3 hours to the terminal (I am outside the 150 mile radius, so once I get my truck, I can bring it home on my hometime - well, to a secure location closer to my house).

Still waiting. Hopefully soon.

Well, went through orientation (finished last Wednesday), now waiting to be contacted by my assigned trainer for my 6 weeks on the road with them. Most of the people I was in orientation with have already hit the road. I will be making a call this afternoon if I haven't heard from my assigned trainer by then. I am ready to go. Yes, I know they are paying me per day, even sitting at home, but I would rather get this over with, and upgrade to solo. Will update when I know more!

Well, passed my CDL driving test today!!! I am a CDL-A holder now. Looking forward to going through orientation and going on the road with my trainer. I have to say, I am impressed with the training. If you count from the day I arrived, this was day 15. I achieved my CDL in 14 days of training. I would highly recommend KLLM's driving academy, especially the Burns Harbor, IN location. Thanks to Kevin, Matt, Mike, Craig, George, Manny, Nicole, and all the staff that fed us, encouraged us and taught us what we needed to know. The friends I made at class, Stewart, Alex, Marlon, Tee, and Nadir I will remember forever.

Week 3 recap - First of all, i passed the HAZMAT and TANKER tests today, so those are out of the way. We did more driving, refining our skills (up and down-shifting). We are scheduled to test on Thursday of this week. I feel good about testing, need to refine the in cab, but I am good on Pre-trip and the Indiana air brake test. We will be doing some mock tests on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday to ensure we are ready. I am looking forward to getting my CDL. I can't say enough good things about KLLM and their approach to training. If you have the proper attitude and maintain a positive perspective, then you will do good. You have to listen to the instructors. Get involved, take the initiative to go over the pre-trip any time you have a chance to. Don't wait until an instructor tells you to. Ask permission to use a truck (for pre-trip) after lunch before you start the afternoon exercises. Anyway, I will post an update on Friday (maybe Thursday evening).

End of week 2 - continued to practice the pretrip, in-cab, and skills (straight line backing, right/left offset and parallel parking - Yes, you can parallel park a 73 foot long vehicle). Even though it has been 40 years since I was in a large vehicle, it comes back to you. The instructors (Kevin, Matt, Mike, Craig and 2 others whose names escape me at this time) are wonderful to work with. They want you to succeed as much as you want to. We have lost a couple since last week for various reasons. We actually got to drive on the roads yesterday, I need to work on my double-clutching and shifting, but for day one, I don't think I did too bad (I drove a semi-automatic in the Army - M920, if anyone remembers that one). You have to keep a positive attitude, even if you are having issues keeping it in the box. The Freightliner Cascadias we are using are nice trucks. We are now separated into groups with an instructor (we have a 3 to 1 ratio) and we are on the truck we will be testing with. Everyone learns at their own pace, and they put the groups together according to their progress. We have a diverse group in our class and everyone gets along. We encourage each other and help each other study and practice the pretrip and in-cab. KLLM has been great. The Burns Harbor staff is a very professional group and it shows in how they teach you the skills needed. We have a 3 day weekend, I drove home to enjoy a cookout and rest for a couple of days. I will post more next week - I have to drive home next weekend and take my tanker and hazmat tests for my permit (TSA letter finally arrived). Everyone enjoy the weekend and Stay Safe!!!

I did as suggested and will update once a week

Congratulations on getting your first steps going there. Remember---Do not go lease!

It may be beneficial for others if you post this in the Training Diaries section.