Saturday, April 23, 2016

YouTube

Just FYI, I'm finding it hard to keep up a text blog and a vLog, so check me out on my YouTube channel.

http://www.youtube.com/kc5uyw

Saturday, April 16, 2016

Gary to South Carolina

Got to Gary late Thursday night, and found my truck and trailer. Took a few hours but I got it inspected and checked all my equipment as well as got my stuff put away before bed.

Hanging out in Gary blows, the town just seems dead and rundown.

Picked up a single coil at Chicago Steel and am going through run that down to Huger, SC because they could not find a Texas load for me. Hopefully, I can get some lumber or something headed back west so I can get home for next weekend, cause this one is bust.

Thursday, April 14, 2016

Training to Operations

Transferred from the training division to operations today. Fleet manager seems pretty cool, and has been with Maverick for a few years. He also used to drive so that's a plus.

Unfortunately there are no available trucks in Little Rock, so I have to go to Gary, Indiana to pick mine up. Luckily for mr they are renting me a car to get there instead of subjecting me to a hideous ride on a Greyhound.

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Tarp Training

Tarping day is done, meet my Fleet Manager tomorrow morning and hopefully get my truck and head out!

Been a long couple of weeks.

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

Hands-On Training Day 5

Day started out well reviewing and evaluating linear steel loads, then moved on to aluminum.

After lunch we tested out and I passed with a 100% test score. So securement is now finished, we do tarring tomorrow.

Should be only two days left then I will get my truck and get back in the road.

Monday, April 11, 2016

Hands-On Training Day 4

Was a busy day and most of it was spent in the training bays.

Most of the day was taken up with miscellaneous load types including lumber, marble, containers, sheet steel and slinkys.

We also took some evaluations as well as some site specific safety videos.

We start our final evaluations tomorrow.

Sunday, April 10, 2016

Hands-On Training Day 3

Experienced drivers got out early because the students have things to do we already did I, or do not have to do.

Very nice to get done early for once.

Today was taken up with cargo length based securement such as, shiny and grey bar, linear steel and mixed loads.

They also roped us into setting up the orientation DOT physicals area and stuff like that for tomorrow.

Saturday, April 9, 2016

Hands-On Training Day 2

Day two of hands-on is done, and we've finished working on steel coils and start pipe tomorrow.

This getting up at 4:45am and going to bed at 8:00pm is starting to grate on my nerves.

Can't wait till Thursday.

Friday, April 8, 2016

Hands-On Training Day 1

We had some yesterday, but it was a kick it and take names today. Still working on coils and move from Eye to the Side to Shotgun (Eye to the Front) coils.

I can say this for sure, Maverick is EXTREMELY detailed  oriented in these securement plans. It's very good to learn it correctly. Maverick also generally goes beyond DOT requirements to ensure that the load doesn't go anywhere.

Most of us also moved out of the Maverick hotel on campus and moved into the off-campus hotel.  Much nicer, and there are at least a few truck stops close to get small stuff.

Thursday, April 7, 2016

Orientation Day 5

Orientation day five is done, and I got my official job offer which I accepted. So I'm gainfully employed once again.
Starting hands on securement training tomorrow. Only seven days in Little Rock left.
Don't forget to check out my YouTube channel at http://www.youtube.com/kc5uyw.

Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Orientation Day 4

Day four ...

Benefits elections, which are pretty decent and not overly expensive as they have a grandfathered ObamaCare plan.

We also did the Value Driven driving course.

The experienced drivers did our road tests, and they issued our PPE gear.

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Orientation Day 3

Day four was a relatively easy day.

After breakfast we returned to the classroom and covered pre/post trip inspections as well as routine load checks. Then spent a while on using the Omnitracs system, which I have never used. We covered macros and other options including the CoPilot navigation system and HOS logging. Finishing up with load tracking procedures.

After lunch we got speeches from safety, recruiting and information on the 'Pay for Performance' bonus system.

We then ended the day with a talk from the COO about Maverick's history and philosophy, and what's in store for the future.

Monday, April 4, 2016

Orientation Day 2

Today was all about medical for the most part.

In brief we skipped breakfast and did our DOT and hair follicle drug screens, as well as the physicals. Out of 31 people only seven were selected to be tested for sleep apnea. One refused and went home. Three were cut for medical reasons, most likely blood pressure.

The agility testing was next, and that was hard at times but wasn't that bad. Few folks got cut from there because they could not lift the weights.

We started with a total of 31 on Sunday, and lost I think a total of seven so far. Out of the eight experienced drivers in my separate class, five are left.

Sunday, April 3, 2016

Orientation Day 1

Today was very busy, I can't try to cover everything again as I put it in my vlog on YouTube.

But basically we has a catered breakfast and lunch. Did a ton of paperwork on the computer including our personal info, w2, direct deposits and more.

Also watched about 20 videos and took test on them. We also did the mpg simulator (I got 7.71mpg) as well as took our pictures for our id's.

Saturday, April 2, 2016

Envy

Well seems like I'm the only one that rented a car. My roommate rode his motorcycle in, he lives only 75 miles away. Looks like there are five veteran drivers and about 16+ rookies. Everyone who rode the bus was envious of my rental car coup.

When I arrived I got a packet with my temporary ID card, information on benefits, sleep apnea , and a log book homework packet to do for Monday.

Heading Out

Well, things are in train. I got my rental car early this morning and got it loaded up with my junk. Going to finish lunch and head up to Little Rock. The weather is beautiful and it could not be better for a nice easy drive up I-30. I got asked why I rented a car to go up to Little Rock. Well, I hate Greyhound. I used to ride them quite a bit when I was in the Military and I couldn't stand it then. I can't imagine now at my age that I would like it any more than I did back then. Additionally, Maverick is reimbursing me the cost of the bus fare to get there to use to pay for my rental. After all is said and done, the cost of the original ticket pays 99% of the rental car price and gas. A good trade-off in my opinion. And not to mention it will take me five hours to drive there as opposed to the nine hours I'd have to spend on the bus.