Starting With Wilson Logistics

I have just started reading today. I joined a couple of days ago. I was all set to go to Roehl but they didn't like my resume. So I have been researching between Prime and Wil- Trans. Both companies seem to have a great following and I appreciate your honesty in this so far! Thank you!

Welcome to the Trucking Truth site, Janet. Lots of good, solid companies are out there that offer training, so keep applying and see what offers you receive.

Ok, stop me if you’ve heard this one. What do you get when you put Florida Man in a Peterbilt with an Ohio State fan? Give up? My D seat training. We pull out of Springfield about 2:00 AM last Tuesday, or about six hours late since the load wasn’t there. Ran pretty hard headed to Detroit, then dead headed over to Grand Rapids. Grabbed a load there headed to Nashville, then on to a Tyson plant in by god Mississippi to get a load headed to Maryland by way of Kentucky. My trainer is exceptional. Old school truck driver that doesn’t just teach me what I have to know, but what I need to know. My problem is I want to run. I hate shutting down. He’s teaching me that running the clock out isn’t always the best thing, and that sitting a little while longer to time traffic patterns is sometimes a better idea with a tight load. To me, that’s a huge advantage over a private school. You can learn to drive a truck anywhere. I’m learning to be a truck driver.

Glad you got a good trainer. My Son is on about his second month solo with Wilson Logistics, and really enjoys the Company. They have taken care of him, that's for sure.

Glad you got a good trainer. My Son is on about his second month solo with Wilson Logistics, and really enjoys the Company. They have taken care of him, that's for sure.

I’m glad to hear that. These people don’t suck.

Great to read that you're doing well, learning, and making it happen. Keep at it.

So, let’s discuss what I learned over the last couple of days. 1.) Sometimes receivers are rude. 2.) Sometimes other drivers are rude. 3.) There are stupid people out here on the road. 4.) A minor mistake can compound into a big one if you’re not careful. 5.) Judging by the fees they charge, I chose the wrong career field. I should have been a lumper.

The first two are self explanatory. The third is where it gets interesting. Coming into Baltimore last night, a suicidal four wheeler chooses wrong on an A-B exit ramp, and decides to use reverse on the interstate. No, really. Reverse. On the interstate. On the far side of a left hand curve. And that’s how I got to use the air horn for the first time.

As for a small mistake compounding... I too made the wrong choice on an A-B exit ramp. It took me through Baltimore instead of around it. This means I got to go through the Ft. McHenry tunnel, aaaaaaand one of those famously narrow toll booths. All on the one week anniversary of my first time driving a road tractor, and seven hours into a driving shift. This is after coming down my first quasi legit grade. (Little Savage Mountain if you’re wondering.) I know that people handle that everyday, multiple times a day, but it was my first. It could have been a nightmare, but with some excellent coaching from my trainer I came through it fine. My hands looked like eagle talons when we got to the customers, and it felt like I was being stabbed when I lovingly gave my trainer the finger after he patted me on the shoulder and thanked me not for killing him, but we made it through. Nothing cracked, bent, or broken.

As for the lumpers. $256 dollars for five pallets of chicken. Forget buying my own truck. I’m buying a pallet jack.

On a side note, I feel that all forum members should know that I do not talk like type. Please add a thick southern accent and at least three expletives per sentence in your head. You may also deduct 100 IQ points for the accent if you wish.

The accent means nothing. I have the Appalachian-American vocal ability, too. I also have an associate's, two bachelors, an MBA, and a PhD in American history. I'm more educated than I sound. I use it to my advantage when someone attempts to match wits with me.

The accent means nothing. I have the Appalachian-American vocal ability, too. I also have an associate's, two bachelors, an MBA, and a PhD in American history. I'm more educated than I sound. I use it to my advantage when someone attempts to match wits with me.

Oh PackRat. Sweet and gentle soul. What you are describing is the hillbilly accent. It’s a derivative of the British accent and is very lyrical and pleasant sounding. I sir, am a flat lander. I speak dirt southern.

Phantom

Just a quick question. Are you still a permit holder, if so is your trainer not sitting in the passenger seat? If all that is true, did he let you go the unintended way versus the correct way? Just want to get a clear picture of what you are doing.

Thanks Chris