6 month 70,000 Miles

6 month 70,000 Miles

I have now been driving for 6 months and have driven over 70,000 mile and driven in 44 states. It is a difficult job but it has its rewards. In today’s economy it is good to have a job. If you are new to trucking here are some of the facts: freight is slow but companies are still hiring. I bring home $500 - $1000 a week. It is hard work: If you have a few bad days be assured that something will happen to make it good so just hang in there. This is not a job for lazy and weak minded people. You need to have a good attitude, be tough, and not let things get to you easy. Stand up for yourself but don’t be a whiner.

an interesting year so far

i graduated in february of this year
i looked a lot locally for a job and couldn't find one
i was just about to go with mcelroy when i saw a con-way local driver at my daughters school
he said they trained people in there own class but it couldnt hurt to see if they hired students
i went to con-ways local terminal(the ltl division) and talked to the personal manager
he offered me a dock job until they put there own class through
before i got home he called me to come in the next day to do a test drive
i impressed them enough that they hired me as dsr(driver service representitive)
they trained me in the city (which i didnt really like)
and also as a night line haul driver
i choose the night line haul
it was definitely a life change for me and my family doing night work
working in the ltl division im home everyday but i dont always get to drive every night
i load trucks even if i drive from one terminal to the other
i have also been driving the lot hostler at night moving trailers around
i have great benifits but i would like to drive more
i pull doubles which can be interesting pulling them hooking them and everything
you have to be aware of everything around you because they can wiggle
ive been to Memphis Knoxville Birmingham AL Atlanta GA Louisville KY Indianapolis IN
Cincinnati OH
monteagle mountain was interesting the first time
been through some hard rain but im not looking forward to snow
i appreciate all the help i got from Mr Warren and Mr Bentley
i think ill stop now
i wish everyone luck in this rough economy
i pray for this country especially after the election
be safe and keep em between the lines

The Bridge Laws

The Bridge Laws

Does anyone understand them? We had received a memo for the company on some of the changes in the way that different states are measuring and they also stated that it is an area that is misunderstood and that we need to make sure that we are complying. What they didn’t tell us is how you physically measure the tandem position to assure that you are complying. I have been to two schools and still don’t understand it. Lets take for example if you have a state that is measuring from the king pin to the center of the rear wheel and require a distance of 41 ft. I have a 53 ft trailer and the king pin measure about 3 ft from the front of the trailer. That leaves 50 ft to the rear so 41 ft would place it at 9 ft from the rear of the trailer to the center of the wheel. My questions are: Can this measurement be measured accurately enough to satisfy the state? Second is: If I need to adjust the tandem to bring in my weight within limits, is this the maximum distance back that I can go? We covered the bridge laws in both schools but I believe that few people really understand it.

I would like to hear form someone on how you go about measuring it. Our trailers don’t have the California mark on them. They are going to start adding them but that could be awhile before it happens.

hello all

Well wanted to start by saying hello to the guy in the black hat and to Mr. Warren well all is good I have to say I didn't start driving after all I am working back in the funeral business but I have no regrets about the school I learned alot and made alot of friends in the process. I wanted to say you guy are th best instructors and I will come by and see you guys soon and to all the new guy I guess getting ready to graduate listen well all be safe and am high

Finished with my Training

Monday, May 26, 2008

I am finished with my finisher and am waiting for a truck. I was able to go by my home and get my wife and dog and the stuff I need for the road. I hope to be on the road soon.

I didn’t care for, and that is putting it mildly, for my trainer. CFI has some good finishers but I didn’t get one that I liked. But I was able to learn from him and get my 7500 mile done in 2 ½ weeks. I made $669.00 the first week and I didn’t get on the truck till Wednesday night and the week ends on Saturday. The second week I made $970.00. Not bad for being in training. This week will be a little less and so will next week because I am waiting on a truck. I will receive lay over pay for those days of $60.00 a day.

I am with My Finisher

I have been out with my trainer for 10 days and I have driven a little less than 6000 mile. At 7500 I get in my own truck. I should have that by the end of the week. I have covered 20 states so far. I have driven in New York City, Chicago, and Dallas just to nave a few of the cities that I have driven through. The training hasn’t been easy but I am will soon be done with this part. I have been trying hard to learn as much as I can while I am with the trainer. I will soon be on my own.

Welcome New Students

Welcome to all the new students and congratulations to you Iceman. To the new students; work hard and get all the practice that you can. Everything you do at school you will be doing again when you get to orientation with a company. If you have your pre-trip, backing, and shifting skills good then it will be easier and less stressful. Don’t settle with just getting through. Also it is time that you get all your information together as far as employment history, driving, and criminal records. We lost two of our group; one with medical (they do their own medical and drug test) and one for driving record. Con-way only requires a three year work history for those that haven’t been driving but other companies require five and ten years of verifiable history so start working on that now. I had one company that would not respond so they accepted a copy of the W-2’s. If any of you decide to come to Con-way feel free to contact me and I will give you my recruiter’s name. She is good and straight forward and you can do application over the phone. Just have all the information together. Good luck again and work hard.

Just a word of goodluck to the new guys

Hello to all the new meat for the grinder I mean new students. Just one thing listen to Mr.Warran & Mr.Bentley it will help you trust me, there both very good instructors and the man in the black hat can tell a good joke or two. I was also going to say I will be starting OTR training this week with star transport I am excited well all you guys be careful and remember the big word SAFETY. Oh and good luck and best wishes to all the new guys and girls .

New Class

Welcomming a new class this month. Fresh lambs for the slaughter.
Hey old students let the new guys know its not so bad....
Rabbi

Waiting for My Finisher

I am finished with my orientation at Con-Way Truck Load and waiting for my finisher. He will be in Joplin Wednesday so I have a day to do nothing. They put us up in a Quality Inn while we wait. CWTL has a shuttle that runs a route every half hour to the terminal and around town that is free to take. They take good care of their people. This is a first class company.

Just a big THANKS

I just wanted to take the time and say thanks to Mr. Warran & Mr Bentley I thought I learned more from you tow then I did over the last few years and just wanted to say very gratefuland to all the other students you all be safe. I don't know about the rest of you guys but I made alot of good friends at TTC@N that I know the roads will be more pleasent all be safe and will see you out there .

CFI Boot Camp

I am spending what is referred to here as boot camp. When you get to CFI/Con-Way (Joplin, MO) you will spend the first Monday at orientation at their headquarters. It is very impressive and intimidating. You get picked up at the bus station and taken to a hotel where you will stay two to a room. They pick you up Monday morning for your day at orientation. After a very busy day of filling out forms and signing you name you are taken to a different hotel at Neosho, MO near Crowder College where you will stay till the next Monday Morning. You get picked up at 0700 each morning on a bus and taken to the College that is only 5 minutes away except on Thursday they pick you up in trucks at 0330 at the hotel for a night drive down town Neosho on very sharp turns and country and interstate roads. You will be doing everything that you have already done at TTC@Nashville but at a full fast paced 10 hour days. You are expected to already know the basics so learn as much as you can but at the same time you will be with people that have gone to schools that aren’t as good as what you have. But the more you learn the less imitating this will be. We drive 15 speeds KenWorth T2000’s. Nice trucks all furnished by CFI. You will be driving T2000 or the T600 at CFI so you are being trained in the same truck that you will be driving for CFI. Crowder has a skid pad that was build at a cost of 1.3 million that we get to use to practice doing skid recoveries. Other drivers from police forces excreta also pay to use this for training (getting to play at tax payers’ expense). It is a training tool that you won’t get most places. They really take care of you here and you get invaluable training. After a week of boot camp you are taken back to Head Quarters where you meet your trainer for a 7500 mile training period. This takes about three weeks and you do all the driving. Then you get your own truck. They keep their trucks for 500,000 miles and then you get a new truck. They don’t go by seniority so you either will get a new truck or one that isn’t very old. If you get a truck that has 300 or 400,000 miles on it you will be getting a new one when it reaches the 500,000 mile mark. It takes about 4 years to get the 500,000 miles. The trucks have bunk heaters in them. This is a first class company but can be difficult to get accepted.

Saturday, April 26, 2008

My Last Day at Home

I leave this afternoon for my bus ride. (17 Hours to Joplin, Missouri) I feel like I am heading to boot camp. Anxious is an understatement of how I feel.

My Trucking Blog

Thursday, April 24, 2008

I want to invite all the students (Present, Past, And Future) of TTC@Nashville to view my blog and feel free to contact me or add comments. I had started this blog more than a year ago when I had first considered doing professional truck driving. I will keep it as current as possible through my training, orientation, my experience with a trainer, and my over the road experiences. I hope to provide an insight into what it has taken for me to get here and in some way maybe it can help you. At the very least I hope you enjoy it.

http://mytruckingbog.blogspot.com/

I am Going to CFI/Conway

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

I am Going to CFI/Conway

I have been accepted by CFI/Conway and will be in Joplin, Missouri on Sunday to start Monday’s orientation. I am proud to have been accepted by them. It has been my goal to work for them since I had started this process.

We Finished

Be afraid there are new drivers out there when in doubt everybody clutch go to nutral clutch go to gear good for truck driving good for life everybody be safe and will see you on the road be safe

Out Tests are Finished

I get ny CDL Monday

I would like to add that I really appreciate Rabbi and all his efforts in seeing that we have the skills that we need to become professional drivers. I would like to have had more time driving and less time spent in the class room. Being on separate campuses for the classroom and the driving I am sure has been a disadvantage for the class. I do feel that he gets the class room work done very efficiently and with an open and relaxed discussion. His teaching methods are very effective. Thank you.

TTCN Grad

Wow class was a lot more fun. I'm still trying to adjust to the truck driving lifestyle. Training has not been easy, but i'm toughing it out. I graduated the end of February and been going ever since. Orientation was not the best experience, cause someone broke into my car and stole all my stuff. Training is tough especially since I not only have to hone my driving skills but I have to learn load securement on a flatbed. I would recommend to anyone starting out in driving to start with van and try flatbed later.

Teachin' an old timer

Great idea! I graduated Dec. 2007 and hit the road running. My husband has been a driver for 34 years and we own our own truck that we have leased to Landstar. After completing the class at TTCN I trained for another 300 hours under my husband's watchful eye. Which is kind of funny because I have actually taught him a few things. He is an old timer but can't parralle park. Ha! Ha! TTCN has a very good class and good teachers. I have kept in touch with several of my classmates and we call each other about things we learned in class when in need and can't remember. We also lift each other up when feeling down. It is great to hear from others on the road. Be Safe!

Former Student's Visit

Our visit today from one of the former students of TTCN was enjoyable. He seemed to be real excited about his new driving career. He gave a real good endorsement of the program and instructors (I don’t know how much kick back he got for that, Ha Ha).

to the man in black

or whatever color his wife puts out for him! ha ha
thanks for opening this forum
i'm the worrier from last class
but you helped get me through
thanks

good job

this is a great idea and to think it came from a truck driver see everyone we can think.

Get The Rhythm

"Clutch go to neutral........Clutch go to gear......." This will be a great tool to stay in touch in such a busy world. Jon

Thanks Rabbi

This is a good way to stay in contact with classmates and well as an important tool for the exchange of information. Also I hope that previous students of TTC@Nashville use this blog as well as future students. It can also serve as a place for anyone that is considering attending TTC@Nashville Truck Driving School can get an insight into the what to expect.

Thank you

It's a great idea! Thank you!

Welcome

I have just opened this blog to grads of the TTCN truck driving classes so we can keep in touch and share over the road experiences