7 Month Update With Jb Hunt

Will post more in a bit, probably in the Training Diaries area.

1 day orientation & safety training in Chicago (most done online previously)...

Day off. Then showed up at Target DC in Oconomowoc, WI. Pretty much ridding along... dropping and hooking... (all "double drops"). Couple of lame backing attempts in yard. Was about to drive a stint but not in system to be assigned to my Trainer's truck. Hoping they fixed it and I will get to drive Sunday.

Trainer is great. He said my training will last 2 - 6 weeks... it all depends on me! (I was told 4).

So far so good!

Marc lee I’ve only done otr I have done Kohls acct to help out right before Christmas out of Findlay OH. And I worked on the Walmart acct. out of woodland pa. I’m not to crazy about the dedicated stuff maybe if I could get home for resets but based out of eastern nc it’s hard enough to get a load within 200 miles from home for time off. Did deliver about 30 minutes from home once that was cool but hard at the same time because I still had a week before home time. The Kohls acct had a lot of double drops also. And the other driver that commented from Jb is right about the small company feel. I forgot his name and worried if I go back to look I’ll have to start this over. I’m called by my name treated very well and like to think I have a good relationships with people I’ve never met. As far as targets go I’ve only been in a few dc’s but they are very well marked and easy in and out one of my favorite places to drop. I p/u from Nfi a lot in IL think it’s edwardsville by the rail yard and the refinery might be Joliet can’t rember the town either way be careful in there dropping and hoolking it’s very tight. Well I look forward to following your training. And am curious how the target amazon acts. Work my wife says they should offer me a job with as much as I order. Anywho stay safe and best of luck. Oh and don’t forget drive like a champion!!

Thanks BucketHead!

Trainer drove to NFI for a backhaul Sunday!

While I am obviously very new to this... this is my take on the whole "big company thing".... (Let me preface it with I have worked for a few very large companies in other industries.... both as an employee and as a contractor).

What I think really matters the most at the end of the day is that you mostly deal with people, not "the big company". Sometimes policies and procedures "rule". This is often a good thing. Even in big companies I often had to create a policy (with my boss) when doing something new in our region (North America), for an immature division (IT in the 90's). Like Eric Buell said when asked how he felt about selling his company to Harley-Davidson (a situation which ultimately unraveled)... "There's something to be said for being able to mail a letter without having to go down to the Post Office to refill the postage meter!" Fuel purchases, repairs on the road... big can be a good thing.

There has been a bit of "toss it over the wall". (Recruiter to Onboarding / Verification people). A bit of not knowing "the plan" until days or hours before things happen. Some of it is probably complicated by the fact that I am training at Target DC for Amazon. I just try to roll with it. I was supposed to switch to a new trainer in a sleeper as I have been in a day cab with my current trainer. After we said our good byes (in person and some texts) I was told I would be with him today. We got about 6" of snow. I got an early start to allow for slow travel and got the call as I was about to leave that he wasn't driving due to weather so not to come in. Allowed me to clear the walks around the apartments I maintain so really all good. Texted him about start time tomorrow... haven't heard back. Will just show up at usual time. Don't know if I will lose pay or get paid for day off or if we will work another... doesn't really matter. I think I need more time backing and driving, and need to pull a few things together and do not feel close to ready to solo - but we are not there yet.

The people are all really cool! JB used to run the Target yard. Now someone else does. JB hauls the most but Schneider has a piece. OO's also come and go. Everyone is pleasant and happy to help. Yes, there is little patience for struggling backers but that is probably good real world training too.

Despite all the warnings from all the great folks here (you know who you are).... I am still amazed at how much there is to learn and how hard it is.

But I am excited to go to work every day, and grateful for all the help and encouragement.

I need to get some skeep.

Be safe out there!

Marc Lee concluded:

While I am obviously very new to this... this is my take on the whole "big company thing".... (Let me preface it with I have worked for a few very large companies in other industries.... both as an employee and as a contractor).

What I think really matters the most at the end of the day is that you mostly deal with people, not "the big company".

100% true.

Swift is a huge company...17,000+ trucks. Monolithic proportions. I regularly interact (officially) with 2 primary Driver Leaders, 2 planners and occasionally the terminal manager. That circle of influence is where my professional relationships begin and end. So...the whole premise you are "just a number" in the big mega-carriers, is complete bunk.

Good observation Marc!

Thanks G-Town!

I know Wolding isn’t as big as some, but they have I believe around 500 trucks.

I was at breakfast yesterday and the owner walked in. The guy I was with was just getting his own truck. While the owner didn’t know his name, he did know it was one of his drivers, and came over and started chatting with us. When his food came he sat down and had breakfast with us.

The other guy said something about not expecting him to know his name, as he was new, and he said, no, but I will. He made a point af asking where we were from, what we did before, etc.

I wouldn’t be able to remember 50 employees names.