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Finally, some good news!
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Posted by: 1LowCav

June 10th I start with GTI- Gordon Trucking- out of Pacific, Washington. I'll be based out of Turlock, Ca. Turned in my two-wwek notice here yesterday- getting sick of this company's bullshit. Yeah, they gave me a driving job alright-

putting around in a beater pickup hauling garbage

! This POS belongs IN the trash, not hauling it

!

after orientation I go out on the road with a trainer for 28 days ans then I get my own tractor.

here's what I'll be driving soon:

Posted by: An11SecRanger

That is good news! Congratulation!
As far as I can tell, you'll have to tolerate a boat load of BS for a while at whatever trucking company you are employed by, so be prepared.
After you have two years in, you'll be able to work for just about any trucking company, so they tend to treat the drivers with two years (or more) better than the "rookies".
Good luck.

Posted by: LS1JAY

Good deal! Let us know how everything works out for you.

Posted by: Mugen_K20A

Lookit all you fags here. Figures that the only GIRL among you all drives a TRUCK!

At least it's ain't gay and purple like Lavender Baboon's Rustang that hasn't moved under its own power in a decade.

Posted by: Grape Ape

Congratulations cavy!

Be perpared... Starting ain't always easy and trucking is still largely "a mans world." You'll find good and bad, just keep your eyes open.

Is that a Century Class S/T, Columbia, or the new Cascadia(doesn't look like that one). I'm gonna say it appears to be a Century... Rough ride, but a decent truck imo. Many people don't like them for carious reasons. That said, there are many worse trucks out there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mugen_K20A


	Lookit all you fags here. Figures that the only GIRL among you all drives a TRUCK! At least it's ain't gay and purple like Lavender Baboon's Rustang that hasn't moved under its own power in a decade.

Another response from the peanut, or is that lacking nuts gallery... I don't need to bother, but I will say, your comments make me laugh, PARTICULARLY comments like the above!!!

And speaking from EXPERIENCE... You wouldn't be able to find 5 gears in a truck like that, let alone the 9, 10, or 13 forward gears it has...

Posted by: 1LowCav

you tell 'im, GrapeApe!!

it's a Century. Looks like I'll be driving a Columbia. I drove one at school and really liked it. i have orientation June 10th, then I hit the road for training. Yeah I know it's a dog-eat-dog world out there!

Posted by: Grape Ape

I think you'll prefer the Columbia. It's slightly larger than the S/T and won't ride as rough. The Cascadia though... Ooooo that's a nice truck. I still might prefer a 389, but I'd take that new Frightshaker right about now.

Posted by: 1LowCav

International's ProStar is also a nice truck IMHO. The LoneStar, though, is WIERD

! The Columbia I drove at school had the 10-speed. I really liked the air-ride suspension and rack & pinion steering. And the power that beast had

! Pulling a 48-ft trailer I could easily start out in 4th gear.

Posted by: Grape Ape

Most people will prolly tell you they don't like International trucks in general. I drove one, but it was an old day cab, so I won't bae my entire opinion on that truck. It was junk, but it was old. I hear they just lack quality these days, and you don't see many O/O's with newer ones for some reason... The Lonestar is a pretty quircky truck, just looking at it, but I've never been in one.

The 10spd is a very popular transmission, and there are 3 variants(I think RICEBOY is going to catch on soon)... The "Super 10" is hit or miss. Most people don't like it in the least because they're used to simpler transmissions. Those who get used to it AND know how to properly operate the thing almost always swear by it. I think it production has stopped now though, since so many autos have hit the market and the need for a semi-auto is dropping. The straight 10 is most popular and probably one of the best overall units on the road, though many old timers would argue the 13 is king. There is also a 10spd overdrive... I don't think I've ever used that one.

Any truck you get into today is likely to have air ride, and it's a wonderful addition to any tractor, or trailer. You'll never know it though, unless one of two things(or both) happen. #1, you drive a tractor without air ride... #2, you get a leak in the system of any truck which has it.

Rack & Pinion... I really don't think I've seen that in a big truck... Hard to believe they use it. All I've driven have relied on tried and true gear box to tie rod stuff(recirculating-ball). It's heavy and not as comfy as R&P, but it lasts. We'll see if R&P lasts soon enough, as Freightshaker has really taken the step to extremes, offering it as an option on just about all heavy trucks they build. I climbed aboard a 2008 Cascadia and looked through the interior, and considered taking the $50.00 for a test drive, but haven't popped the hood to really look things over yet. I like the truck, R&P or not. If they've found a way to make it strong enough the benefits are as large as the truck itself.

The trailer... Most companies today(except many flatbed operations) use 53's... They're a REAL PAIN compared to 48's, but you get used to the differences in turning and backing almost quickly. The 48 is much better if you can manage to use one regularly. As for takeoff... Well, that will depend on the engine and transmission... And when you get a loaded trailer, you'll feel the strain easily. The good news is, unless you're starting on a hill, the tractor will still pull away at dead idle, allowing for a smooth start.

You're about to embark on a real learning curve, as if you didn't know. This will be much more than you've learned so far, but since you have the basics, it will come to you almost seemlessly. It takes time and is aggravating, but stick with it and you will know soon enough if you really like it or not. This isn't for everyone, as they probably told you in school, and most drivers quit within 6 months of starting. I wish you well. Just keep the shiny side up and don't do ANYTHING you aren't comfortable with unless you're going very slow and being coached. After awhile you'll take chances on your own, but I figure by then, you'll know whether or not the idea is sound.

Oh, and prepare to put up with ooodles of silliness you haven't really anticipated yet. Trust me, unless you're on regional or dedicated(and even to a degree then), there will be many, many things you just shake your head about... Then get mad about... Then decide to quit or go on about...

Posted by: 1LowCav

I know my real learning will start when I get out on the road with a trainer. The 10 speed I drove was real easy; after going to 5th flip the splitter up and go to 6th. Once I learned the RPM range I could float the gears like a hot knife through butter! The internationals I drove were nice for a rental. I've heard Super 10's are a challenge!

GTI pulls both 48's and 53's. Here in Cali the max kingpin-rear axle distance is 40 feet, so I know 53's are a challenge because of the 'stinger', as the tandems are all the way forward. At bschool I was able to take off in 4th, as the trailer was empty. It'll be much different when I'm loaded.

Posted by: Grape Ape

They say, once you get used to a Super 10 you'll want one... I say HOGWASH! They're not strong enough, for starters. More importantly, however, I can't see gettin' used to the way it shifts. It just ain't natural.

4th slot from front on the 5th wheel and 6th from front on tandems... Should be all legal like in CA. But isn't their limit 41'? I have been in CA quite a bit more than I want, but not in months now, and hopefully I'll never have to go back. I never worried about the limit, or much of anything for that matter. CA has so many ridiculously stupid anti-trucker laws, I never want to be there if I haven't positively got to.

I drove an old Classic XL with a 500ish hp Detroit 60Series... It would launch in 6th when empty. I liked that one! Most companies don't use such power, but many to get into the 435 range and that's nice. One you have to haul a load up over the Rockies... Or up I-77 through VA and WVA, you'll know why that big power is really wanted. Some of those 'hills' will have you into 5th gear just to keep climbing.... at 30mph.

Idiots in cars go by looking, as if they really do wonder why your truck is going so slow... Of course, they were thrown off by the fact you passed them going down the last hill... Or that some other truck is running at traffic speed, but then there's you, going so slow... It really is odd that you just know what they're thinking and you're telling yourself how nice it would be if they understood AND steered well clear... Oh well. Yer soon to begin having all the fun ya ever wanted with this stuff!!

Posted by: 1LowCav

Looks like I'll be Western 11 regional. So how's a Super 10 different than others? The one I drove at school (and will be at GTI) was a split 5 pattern.

Posted by: Grape Ape

It's been awhile since I drove anything with the Super 10 and I may have that pattern off, but essentially, you use the shifter for a gear and the air switch between the next shift. It starts off very confusing regarding coordination and manipulation with hands, feet and eyes. Straight 10's, like you've driven, only require a flip switch between low and high. Super 10's use the air switch often.

Posted by: An11SecRanger

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1LowCav


	Looks like I'll be Western 11 regional. So how's a Super 10 different than others? The one I drove at school (and will be at GTI) was a split 5 pattern.

Quote:


	you use the shifter for a gear and the air switch between the next shift

That's about it.
Basically ...
A super 10 uses the back box 5 times to get to 10th gear (low 1 - high 1, low 2 - high 2, etc.).
A straight 10 uses the back box once (after 5th gear for high range) and that's it, until you need to shift back into 5th, or lower.
Most drivers consider the super 10 to be a huge pain in the ass because they have to flip the switch so much.
I (having been a tranny tech in a heavy truck shop) think the super is a pita because I've replaced countless synchronizers because they where out much sooner than in a straight.
On the other hand, a rookie driver can make any tranny become FUBAR in short order and, in that case, the super will often be a good choice because it's less expensive to replace the synchro (which will die first) and MAYBE the rookie will have a clue before he/she destroys the rest of the tranny.
Of course, in my experience, it seems as if most rookies don't understand what a clutch brake is before they ruined 3-4 of them. That requires the whole tranny to come out to repair it,too.
I've known of companies that only used 2 piece clutch brakes because they know it's gonna be toast in no time and they don't want the hassle of pulling the tranny once a moth.

Posted by: Mugen_K20A

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grape Ape


	And speaking from EXPERIENCE... You wouldn't be able to find 5 gears in a truck like that, let alone the 9, 10, or 13 forward gears it has...

Well, that depends on if it has an air shifter or it's an older cable operated setup. But yeah, what do I know about transmissions?

Posted by: 1LowCav

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mugen_K20A


	Well, that depends on if it has an air shifter or it's an older cable operated setup. But yeah, what do I know about transmissions?

it's an air shifter, you dumbass ricer troll! What do you know about transmissions??? NOT JACK SHIT!!

Posted by: An11SecRanger

I typed a bunch of chit here, but decided it's not worth it. I mean, I could type stuff to point out what someone (anyone) doesn't know about this stuff and he/she could just google it and "appear" as though he/she knows what we're talking about. Nuff said!
However ...
I know a little bit about truck trannies. I "retired" and (as such) purposely, forgot a great deal of info about truck trannies, but dayam! Cable shifter? ??????? WTH?

Posted by: Grape Ape

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mugen_K20A


	Well, that depends on if it has an air shifter or it's an older cable operated setup. But yeah, what do I know about transmissions?

No, it doesn't depend... You'd have to shift into a gear regardless the mechanism used, dumbass.

And you don't know about transmissions, or engines... Or American made vehicles... YET!

Depending on whether or not it's an air shifter... Dork. All trucks like those in question have air shifters... We're not talking about pre 1970 models...

Look into "TWIN STICKS," moron... Stop trying to act like you know something... You're lost.

Cables...

Posted by: 1LowCav

you tell 'im, Grape Ape! I'm new to big trucks and I knew they were air shift! This Mugen guy's a real dildo, aint he????

Posted by: John

Now hold on here, if the guy has military experience and was an engineer of some sort on a Navy ship then it is likely that he drove trucks on base. Now I've been to Pearl Harbor and they still use heavy duty, twin axle trucks from the 40's, 50's and 60's that don't have air shifters to move large items like HVAC systems, computer banks and end spare parts to the docks for loading on the ships. On those old trucks, everything is actuated through cables, rods and levers.

Now I'm not defending this douche, he's already causing me enough problems. But I've driven a deuce and a half with a manual that required double clutching and rev matching and so on and that was a bitch to drive. I've also driven Mack, Volvo and AutoCar trash trucks and dump trucks with air shifters and they are very different. If you drive old military vehicles and never sat in a modern air-shifted truck, it can be quite confusing. Confused the hell out of me the first time I drove an air shifter.

Posted by: Grape Ape

Quote:

Originally Posted by John


	Now hold on here, if the guy has military experience and was an engineer of some sort on a Navy ship then it is likely that he drove trucks on base. Now I've been to Pearl Harbor and they still use heavy duty, twin axle trucks from the 40's, 50's and 60's that don't have air shifters to move large items like HVAC systems, computer banks and end spare parts to the docks for loading on the ships. On those old trucks, everything is actuated through cables, rods and levers. Now I'm not defending this douche, he's already causing me enough problems. But I've driven a deuce and a half with a manual that required double clutching and rev matching and so on and that was a bitch to drive. I've also driven Mack, Volvo and AutoCar trash trucks and dump trucks with air shifters and they are very different. If you drive old military vehicles and never sat in a modern air-shifted truck, it can be quite confusing. Confused the hell out of me the first time I drove an air shifter.

I suspect I knew no fewer than 500 "engineers" in the NAVY... Approximately ZERO ever drove a truck. Those military members who typically drive trucks on base for carrying troops or supplies are "SEABIES" and while they are carpenters and the like, they're not what the NAVY calls engineers. He was in "engineering," but that's a department or division almost always allocated to a ship or boat. In all likelihood, from the story he's given... He was a "GSM" or, "Mahinist Mate" for gas turbine propulsion systems.

The description of the trucks you just gave is what they typically call "Duece and a quarter," much smaller than a semi-tractor in many ways, not the least of which typically included the drivetrain. They're far more common in the Army because most shipments into a large naval base come in by semi's owned and operated by the general tractor driver rather than the military. Infact, most of what you'll see doing transport work anywhere in this country is a general contractor instead of the military itself, unless it's in convoy. That usually means troop movement is also happening. And those military trucks are still made to the same basic exterior spec, but the drivetrain has changed. And those older trucks, for the very few still in use, don't likely have cable operation. Yeah, it could be... It just isn't at all likely because they wear out too, and steel linkage is more durable.

At any rate, they still have to shift in order to find those gears and it won't be any easier if it has some nearly ancient cable shift design.

Btw, "Double clutching" requires matching rpm as compared to transmission speed. That's why you'd throttle up to downshift. Any truck with an air shifter would typically be double clutched, particularly by rookies who have been trained. Almost every major manufacturer used a plethora of different transmissions in their trucks, most of them probably made by Eaton Fuller. Many are Meritor units, but those are EF, just rebadged. Volvo is quickly becoming the exception, and may have fully "shifted" to an automatic lineup by now. Same story for most medium duty trucks(Class B with air brake, or without).

In my time in the NAVY, I never once saw a twin stick in any truck on any base. You basically have to be or become a pro to drive one of those dangerous SOB's. Not that they didn't still have a few, but they were very few in that case.

Posted by: 1LowCav

I had my DOT physical and drug test today.

Posted by: Grape Ape

I suppose you're happy with the results...

So is this company gonna pay you by the mile or what? And if so, are they starting you at more than 32cpm? And I don't remember you saying, are they just regional or OTR?

Posted by: Horselips

My son drove for Werner enterprises then JB Hunt. I hope the outfit your going to work for uses you better than they did him.

Posted by: Grape Ape

JB Hunt may not be the worst ever... But Werner Enterprises is! That wasn't always the case, but it is today, concerning large companies.

Posted by: 1LowCav

I'll start at 32cpm for all practical miles; not book or PCMiler, and it's the same whether loaded, empty or bobtail. Looks like I'll be OTR Western 11 Division; going as far east as Colorado. Here's the company's website: www.gordontrucking.com I'll be based out of Turlock, Ca. After being with a trainer for 28 days it's two more days of orientation and then I get my own tractor!

I've heard about JB Hunt and Werner!

I've talked to other drivers and they really like GTI, and they have contracts with a lot of major companies.

then there's Swift- Swing Wide It's a Fuckin' Trailer!

Posted by: Grape Ape

Swift... Sure Wish I hada Faster Truck!

Werner is crapola anymore. Too bad because it was once one of the best trucking companies in the country.

32cpm is about as good a starting wage as you'll get without being an owner-op.

Western 11 tells me you'll run the 11 western states... Regional! That's much better than OTR. Well, unless you WANT to be OTR, which grows old fast. Being regional, you'll be more likely to get decent home time. The drawback is getting fewer miles. It's a sacrifice I happen to like, as do most drivers. Local is the only good run, but hey... Can't have all locals.

Good luck with it... I'm surprised your orientation takes place AFTER your training period. Seems as though maybe they get many drivers who don't "pan out" and that's a concern. However, it's still likely better than the likes of Werner. You're in about as good a starting position as you could hope for. Now if you get the miles... That may be different.

Posted by: 1LowCav

the first day is orientation and paperwork, then on-the-road training, then two more days of orientation.

Posted by: Horselips

JB Hunt didn't realy do him that bad except that they lied to him telling him he would be just in the northeast mostly in NewEngland then after about two weeks started sending him all over the country.
Werner was just a bunch of jerks.

Posted by: 1LowCav

A friend of mine from school went with Werner and they gave him the run-around; a lot of shag work, short runs, a lot of empty and bobtail runs (GTI pays the same for all miles- loaded, empty, or bobtail) he was lucky to bring in $300 a week!

Posted by: Grape Ape

Werner SUCKS! They don't call it "The BIG BLUE SCREW" for nuthin'!!!

Most large companies will lie to get drivers... And too many suffer instead of leaving.

A friend of mine was telling me about another Werner driver, who started in about Sept. last yr and drove teams. I know the guy through the other friend, but not well. Met this team at the Lakeland, FL terminal(if you could call it a terminal)... Anyway, he was teaming till his teammate got tired of his laziness, sleeping 14hrs and driving less than 7 almost every day they were out. Wasting time just about everywhere, as if he was on a sight seeing tour... You can't do well in a big truck doing that stuff.

He called yesterday to tell my friend that his sister rented him a car to go home because Werner had no loads to FL. He was in Atlanta(Lithia Springs), GA and drove some 7hrs in a rental to get home for 3days... Idiotic move, but he had been out 6wks. The teammate has quit Werner and is sitting at home trying to keep his wife happy!

When I worked for Werner, I made about $700 wkly, take home. I busted my butt though!!! They start drivers at 26cpm... Ya can't make much at that pay. When I switched to teams, my pay generally speaking, dropped. Went "Team Werner" and they screwed up the pay... Only paid 30cpm. That's 15cpm, which is standard for Team Werner, but they dropped it to 28, among many other problems. The worst part though... Not enough miles which could be run. They promise 98% D-n-H and we were "lucky" to see 50%. So after 4mo of that crap, I quit.

Btw Cav... I wouldn't pay for HAZMAT! If a company wants me to have it, they can pay for it. I may add tanker, but when I tested, I was in a hurry, so I took the ones I needed and got outta there. I was ready then, but would wanna brush up before taking it. Seemed fairly easy, and HAZMAT did too, frankly. But for $100 or so... pass. Good on you for having gotten it, because most of us don't bother. Most don't want it, particularly HAZMAT... Waste of time to get from A to B.

Posted by: Horselips

Werner payed for my sons hazmat.

Posted by: Grape Ape

They don't pay for HAZMAT anymore... Or tanker(but they have no tank division). They tried to get me to haul HAZMAT as well as border crossing... I refused since they wouldn't pay for either in any reasonable way.

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