Judy is in her second week of her Class B CDL class this week at Big Rig Truck Driving School in Canton. Unlike last week, I was able to make the trip. We are staying at a nice hotel here in Canton. Nice area and close to the mall and other shopping (and food!)
We originally thought this would be a two-week class, but it looks like she will be back here next week also. She will take her CDL test sometime next week. Class seems to be going well so far. She has been out driving a few times, so watch for her if you are one the road!
Last night after her class, we took a short trip into Amish country. We were looking for a good place to eat, but got in some sightseeing along the way. When we were first married, we used to drive up into this area from Columbus. Sort of a mini-vacation for us. It has been years since we were over this way by ourselves, and I had forgotten just how beautiful this region is.
We eventually found the Amish Door Restaurant in the small town of Wilmot. Not too much more than a wide spot in the road at the crossroads of US 62 and US 250. Food was very good (ate way too much!) and we took our time afterwards looking through the small gift shop and bakery that were on the property. Hope to have some pictures to share later on.
We also emailed our potential owner. Looks like we will be able to pick up the truck the Friday (Aug. 5) before we are to attend orientation. That way we will be able to take the truck home and get everything packed before orientation begins on the 8th. We'll have orientation on the Monday, Tuesday and part of Wednesday, off Thursday, then White Glove Orientation on Friday and Saturday. At that point, we'll be in service and be ready to haul our first load!!!
Really thankful that we'll have Thursday off, as my wonderful niece Jessica is getting married that day! That was one of our biggest fears, that we would have to miss her and Kenny's wedding. Wonderful how things work out!
We are really looking forward to getting started. I know the next couple of months are just going to drag.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Monday, June 6, 2011
Off to Class
Judy is taking her Class B CDL Class this week and next at Big Rig Truck Driving School in Canton. She will spend first week in the classroom and the second week in the truck. I think she is a little nervous about the class, but I know she will do great! She has never driven a truck before, so we wanted her to get a little "seat time" before she goes to take the driving portion of the CDL Exam.
Big Rig was recommended by our recruiter at FedEx Custom Critical. As neither of us has 6 months of recent commercial driving experience, we are required to take a "road test" (in addition to having our CDLs) before FedEx will allow us to sign on with them. I still have to take the road test, but since Judy is taking the class at Big Rig, she will automatically qualify once she finishes the course and passes the CDL Exam.
The worst part of this is us having to spend this first week apart. Due to some things I need to take care of here at the house, I have to stay home this week. I was originally going to go over with her (sort of a mini-vacation), but I'm stuck here at home! We've been married a little over 22 years, and have only spent this much time apart twice! I just don't really like being apart. :( Hopefully, I'll get to go next week. She is staying in Strasburg, right on the edge of Amish country. Very beautiful area, and lots to see.
Just spoke with her on the phone. She is heading out the door. Good Luck!!!
Big Rig was recommended by our recruiter at FedEx Custom Critical. As neither of us has 6 months of recent commercial driving experience, we are required to take a "road test" (in addition to having our CDLs) before FedEx will allow us to sign on with them. I still have to take the road test, but since Judy is taking the class at Big Rig, she will automatically qualify once she finishes the course and passes the CDL Exam.
The worst part of this is us having to spend this first week apart. Due to some things I need to take care of here at the house, I have to stay home this week. I was originally going to go over with her (sort of a mini-vacation), but I'm stuck here at home! We've been married a little over 22 years, and have only spent this much time apart twice! I just don't really like being apart. :( Hopefully, I'll get to go next week. She is staying in Strasburg, right on the edge of Amish country. Very beautiful area, and lots to see.
Just spoke with her on the phone. She is heading out the door. Good Luck!!!
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Found an Owner
One of the major decisions we had to make when looking to get into expediting, was whether to buy our own truck or drive for an "owner". Someone who owns the truck, and gives us a percentage of the profits to drive it.
Almost every expediter we have spoken to over the last few years has "strongly" suggested we start out driving for someone else, until we see if this "lifestyle" is for us or not. We both think that just makes good business sense. After all, any truck, even a older, used one, is still quite an investment, especially if we are not 100% sure this is for us. (I think it will be, but you just never know!)
We realized finding a "good" owner was going to be one of the most critical aspects of getting started. There are many horror stories of drivers and "bad" owners. Not getting paid, owners not keeping up maintenance on the truck, owners not making payments on the truck, and drivers even having the truck (and their personal belongings), repossessed right out from under them! Scary stuff.
We wanted to find an established, reputable owner that was going to be around for a while. Sounds easy enough, right? Well since there isn't a "list" of just such owners, we had to do a little digging.
After speaking to several current and former drivers, and speaking with our FedEx requiter and talking to several owners, I think we have a winner. I won't go into the details or name names just yet, but they are one of the largest (if not the largest) fleet owners in the expedited trucking industry. They actually have trucks with three of the major carriers. They mainly have newer "Class 8" T660 Kenworth trucks and seem to keep their trucks in good repair. (Anyone in the expedited trucking world can probably guess who I am talking about.)
Their trucks aren't as comfortable as some (the sleepers are, well let's say "cozy" to be nice), and they might not pay quite as well as some owners, but they must be doing something right. I have spoken to three former teams that have since went on to purchase their own trucks. None of them left because they were unhappy; they were in the financial position to become owners themselves. That to me says a lot. They must have been making money!
So, one major decision out of the way. Now just continuing to play the waiting game.
Almost every expediter we have spoken to over the last few years has "strongly" suggested we start out driving for someone else, until we see if this "lifestyle" is for us or not. We both think that just makes good business sense. After all, any truck, even a older, used one, is still quite an investment, especially if we are not 100% sure this is for us. (I think it will be, but you just never know!)
We realized finding a "good" owner was going to be one of the most critical aspects of getting started. There are many horror stories of drivers and "bad" owners. Not getting paid, owners not keeping up maintenance on the truck, owners not making payments on the truck, and drivers even having the truck (and their personal belongings), repossessed right out from under them! Scary stuff.
We wanted to find an established, reputable owner that was going to be around for a while. Sounds easy enough, right? Well since there isn't a "list" of just such owners, we had to do a little digging.
After speaking to several current and former drivers, and speaking with our FedEx requiter and talking to several owners, I think we have a winner. I won't go into the details or name names just yet, but they are one of the largest (if not the largest) fleet owners in the expedited trucking industry. They actually have trucks with three of the major carriers. They mainly have newer "Class 8" T660 Kenworth trucks and seem to keep their trucks in good repair. (Anyone in the expedited trucking world can probably guess who I am talking about.)
Their trucks aren't as comfortable as some (the sleepers are, well let's say "cozy" to be nice), and they might not pay quite as well as some owners, but they must be doing something right. I have spoken to three former teams that have since went on to purchase their own trucks. None of them left because they were unhappy; they were in the financial position to become owners themselves. That to me says a lot. They must have been making money!
So, one major decision out of the way. Now just continuing to play the waiting game.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
Posts
