First Pre Hire - US Xpress

As much as I would like to give swift a chance they don't allow pets :(

You mention that the new trucks are autos... who gets the new trucks... older drivers or new drivers?

All drivers

As much as I would like to give swift a chance they don't allow pets :(

You mention that the new trucks are autos... who gets the new trucks... older drivers or new drivers?

All drivers

Let me re phrase that then... if there 10 new trucks and 10 old trucks and 10 drivers who have been there already and 10 drivers who are new... who gets what? do they just draw truck numbers and employee numbers out of hats and say "truck # 034562 goes to employee 5623" or is there some kind of system to decide who gets what?

I know this can be different between companies, I'm just trying to understand how these choices are made.

The logical sense to me would be the oldest truck (most miles) gets the replacement first, so if a brand new driver happens to get a truck with 800k miles and everyone else has trucks with less than 700k, then the new driver in this case will get a new truck first. Usually that's why a truck company buys new trucks right? to replace the old ones.

I could care less how old the truck is as long as it was taken care of it should be fine, those beast are made to be driven a helava lotta miles.

As much as I would like to give swift a chance they don't allow pets :(

You mention that the new trucks are autos... who gets the new trucks... older drivers or new drivers?

All drivers

Let me re phrase that then... if there 10 new trucks and 10 old trucks and 10 drivers who have been there already and 10 drivers who are new... who gets what? do they just draw truck numbers and employee numbers out of hats and say "truck # 034562 goes to employee 5623" or is there some kind of system to decide who gets what?

I know this can be different between companies, I'm just trying to understand how these choices are made.

The logical sense to me would be the oldest truck (most miles) gets the replacement first, so if a brand new driver happens to get a truck with 800k miles and everyone else has trucks with less than 700k, then the new driver in this case will get a new truck first. Usually that's why a truck company buys new trucks right? to replace the old ones.

I could care less how old the truck is as long as it was taken care of it should be fine, those beast are made to be driven a helava lotta miles.

Like I already stated, both new drivers and experienced drivers are getting new trucks. If there is a formula, I am not aware of one and frankly doesn't concern me. Seems random.

From what I have seen, with in in law at Werner, as soon as a new driver is ready for a truck, the next available one is theirs, whether it is new, old, or in between, is a luck of the draw.

Safer is a point that could easily be argued and fuel economy is one that's always going to go back and forth. For example, the truck I currently drive is a flat top, doesn't have all the side fairings and trailer blade under the trailer. I'm not restricted on speed, the power is turned up and running hard with a heavy load, I can still average 6.3-6.5. Yes you can say your truck will get better fuel economy and by the numbers it does on paper but you have other things to take into account. Large companies run highway trucks and justifiably are looking to get every advantage they can on fuel economy but I see people drinking the Kool aid on every single "fuel saving" device that his the market.

Safer is a point that could easily be argued and fuel economy is one that's always going to go back and forth. For example, the truck I currently drive is a flat top, doesn't have all the side fairings and trailer blade under the trailer. I'm not restricted on speed, the power is turned up and running hard with a heavy load, I can still average 6.3-6.5. Yes you can say your truck will get better fuel economy and by the numbers it does on paper but you have other things to take into account. Large companies run highway trucks and justifiably are looking to get every advantage they can on fuel economy but I see people drinking the Kool aid on every single "fuel saving" device that his the market.

I am with you on this, especially the "safer" part. My fuel economy is noticeably better though, by about 1 MPG. I am averaging slightly above 8. Loads are the same, terrain is the same, aerodynamic package is the same.

Well it's official. I spoke with US Xpress yesterday afternoon and I am scheduled to start orientation with them On Jan 18th.

3 days of orientation, provided that all goes well they'll hire me and send me on my way with a trainer for 170 hours ASAP. Not sure, but I assume it's 170 driving hours.

As much as I would like to give swift a chance they don't allow pets :(

You mention that the new trucks are autos... who gets the new trucks... older drivers or new drivers?

That'd be the oldest drivers that want them Most drivers i talk to throw a serious frown at the first mention of an automatic transmission.

Stubborn drivers who refuse to try new things... those are the same one who are mad about being forced to use elogs within the next 2 years... it's new so they don't like it...

I had to do paper logs for class (every day we used a paper log book and counted class time as on duty not driving, breaks as off duty, and had to do recaps and 34 resets)... I got pretty good at it but still would prefer an e log... it's quicker and you don't make mistakes that can cost you over $200 each... if you make a mistake in an e log... well you got bigger problems to worry about haha.

I hate seeing people say "if you can't drive a manual you're not a real trucker"... what does the tranny type have to do with being a trucker? lets look at what a trucker is... he/she is someone who drives a commercial truck to deliver various goods to various locations. that's what a trucker is. there are 2 types who prefer autos, those who can't drive manual cause it really isn't that easy to learn imo and then those who feel it's safer and more economical. with manual you gotta take your hands off the wheel to shift... auto you don't... safety... auto saves on fuel... manual... not so much... economical.

Truth be told at the moment i'm in the middle, I can't drive a manual (cause I have not learned yet, I have spent maybe 10 min trying to drive a truck so far and while I understand the concept of dbl clutch and the shift pattern of a 10 speed putting it into play is different) but I also would prefer an automatic cause it's safer, easier and better on fuel.

Why do you have to take your "hands" off the wheel? I only use one hand to shift. Most of the time your only driving with one hand anyway. I will never drive an automatic unless there are no other options.

Phox posted days ago:

and then those who feel it's safer and more economical. with manual you gotta take your hands off the wheel to shift... auto you don't... safety... auto saves on fuel... manual... not so much... economical.

Travis replied:

Why do you have to take your "hands" off the wheel? I only use one hand to shift. Most of the time your only driving with one hand anyway. I will never drive an automatic unless there are no other options.

I seriously doubt he meant "both hands". He got a confirmed pre-hire...that's an accomplishment and an important step in moving his career forward.

Congratulations Phox.

Congrats and good luck!!