Hello everyone. I haven't posted here since just about a year ago. At that time, I was entering CDL school and considering starter companies. I had some good advice here and thought I'd throw my situation out for some commentary.
I graduated with my CDL in May 2012 and started with a Werner O/O in June 2012. I completed 100 hours behind the wheel before getting off the truck at my request. I did very well with the driving and my skill level was advancing quickly.
I don't want to whine about it, but it was a horrible situation. My trainer was fantastic...Werner and the O/O not so much. The trainer had some serious personal issues going on at home and requested home time to deal with them. They could not be handled from the road. The response was initially positive, but turned to dispatching us all over midwest, instead of back west toward Los Angeles, his home. Some days we literally got no closer than 200 miles west from where we started that day. It was clear he would need up to a week to handle his issues. I requested that I be dropped in Tucson, my home and the location of the O/O, and then pick things up when he was done. The O/O refused to consider this stating I had to go to LA and live in the truck until his business was completed. I balked at this and was immediately personally challenged. My manhood was questioned and I was told that "it was trucking" and challenged that I would not hold to my request and would back down like a bitch when the owner of the company called me. They stated I'd have to get myself home from whatever point was close and convenient for them at the time. At that point, I was done. I told them I still wanted off the truck and would take care of myself at that time. They then started hammering down on the trainer. Rerouting continued for another week and when he complained the told him he could park the truck and fly home at this own expense and whatever it cost to retrieve the truck. A week later, we finally routed ourselves past Tucson, and I got off the truck. They paid me out and I never spoke to them again.
Obviously, I feel seriously burned and am really reluctant to do it again. I enjoyed the trucking, not the industry or way I was treated. I've tried some self-employment since that time, but it won't pay the bills. I can't find anything local that isn't low paying box-truck or bus driving jobs here in Tucson.
I'm considering giving it another try. I think ultimately it could be a job I enjoy as the actual work did not bother me at all. I've reviewed my DAC report and my separation is marked as a quit with my rehire status as with review. I wondering what people think of my previous experience in relation to trying to get on with another carrier as a trainee? Will I encounter a problem trying to find an opportunity?
I'd appreciate any comments about what I've experienced so far in the industry or advice about how to proceed. Thanks for taking the time to read my post and respond.
I graduated with my CDL in May 2012 and started with a Werner O/O in June 2012. I completed 100 hours behind the wheel before getting off the truck at my request. I did very well with the driving and my skill level was advancing quickly.
I don't want to whine about it, but it was a horrible situation. My trainer was fantastic...Werner and the O/O not so much. The trainer had some serious personal issues going on at home and requested home time to deal with them. They could not be handled from the road. The response was initially positive, but turned to dispatching us all over midwest, instead of back west toward Los Angeles, his home. Some days we literally got no closer than 200 miles west from where we started that day. It was clear he would need up to a week to handle his issues. I requested that I be dropped in Tucson, my home and the location of the O/O, and then pick things up when he was done. The O/O refused to consider this stating I had to go to LA and live in the truck until his business was completed. I balked at this and was immediately personally challenged. My manhood was questioned and I was told that "it was trucking" and challenged that I would not hold to my request and would back down like a bitch when the owner of the company called me. They stated I'd have to get myself home from whatever point was close and convenient for them at the time. At that point, I was done. I told them I still wanted off the truck and would take care of myself at that time. They then started hammering down on the trainer. Rerouting continued for another week and when he complained the told him he could park the truck and fly home at this own expense and whatever it cost to retrieve the truck. A week later, we finally routed ourselves past Tucson, and I got off the truck. They paid me out and I never spoke to them again.
Obviously, I feel seriously burned and am really reluctant to do it again. I enjoyed the trucking, not the industry or way I was treated. I've tried some self-employment since that time, but it won't pay the bills. I can't find anything local that isn't low paying box-truck or bus driving jobs here in Tucson.
I'm considering giving it another try. I think ultimately it could be a job I enjoy as the actual work did not bother me at all. I've reviewed my DAC report and my separation is marked as a quit with my rehire status as with review. I wondering what people think of my previous experience in relation to trying to get on with another carrier as a trainee? Will I encounter a problem trying to find an opportunity?
I'd appreciate any comments about what I've experienced so far in the industry or advice about how to proceed. Thanks for taking the time to read my post and respond.
