Drivers Lic.

jaminjim · Sep 12, 2004

Well the wife finally got her Class "B" today. (yehaw) Now just the hazmat test for us both and we will be on the way.
Talked to the Panther guy on the phone, he said around 2500 / 3500 miles per week would be a fair number of miles for us as a Team in a "D" unit. With 15 / 20% dead head on top of that. ( that sounds a little small) I will hope for a few more miles than that but will just have to wait and see.

Glen Rice · Sep 12, 2004

I was with FedEx and we ran from 1500 miles to 6000 miles a week! Sounds crazy, but thats just the nature of the business. So I quess, that sounds resonable...remember money not miles.. Good luck, and be safe.

gandrew · Sep 12, 2004

My wife is still studying for her test. I passed test, air and hazmat. Still need to do drive test, puzzled about how to get truck to do test with. Rental agencies all have hydraulic brakes. Will you be Co. drivers or O/O? We wanted to do O/O, but thought we might try being hired driver for a short while to learn the ropes. We are mid fifties, grown up kids, want to get out and travel while making money.

joe petro · Sep 14, 2004

ganderew & jaminjim:
Pease keep posting about your entry into expediting as there are many of us out here that are just starting to research the "life" and are very interested in what you find, both good and bad.
My wife and I expect to enter expediting in a year or so after our affairs are in order.

good luck
JP
"it's a bad day when you don't learn something new"

>My wife is still studying for her test. I passed test, air
>and hazmat. Still need to do drive test, puzzled about how
>to get truck to do test with. Rental agencies all have
>hydraulic brakes. Will you be Co. drivers or O/O? We wanted
>to do O/O, but thought we might try being hired driver for a
>short while to learn the ropes. We are mid fifties, grown up
>kids, want to get out and travel while making money.

cat can do · Sep 14, 2004

Most of the truck driving schools can give you the road test and will be able to rent you the truck you need. I know that in Michigan you can do this.

gandrew · Sep 14, 2004

right you are! we just got back from US truck driving school in Detroit. Nice folks there, Roberto in particular, gave me a "custom" package instead of the full boat school. One day and I am done. All morning four hours in the truck driving lessons, afternoon the real test. $500 for everything. Just right.

jaminjim · Sep 14, 2004

I have been running a "D" truck in expediting for around 2 1/2 years with EGL. The wife was running a Van with them for around a year doing local P/D. in the Dayton area. Now that we are empty nesters we have been planing this move for over two years.
While I know the life style of the road I have not been with a real expedite company, the runs that I do are mostly out and back, the back is the free part and has to stop very soon. Thats why I ask some questions about teams and different companys.

jaminjim · Sep 22, 2004

Just Passed my Haz Mat one to go.

Broompilot · Sep 23, 2004

My expiedrence on getting a truck for the CDL class B test Rented from Ryder Truck Rental (Big Trucks) not the weekend moving place. About $225 with insurance. Offered to pay a driver in this case the instructor $150 to come down to pick up the truck with me to take back to the school about 80 miles one way. Had to pay the school about $280.00 total for three tests.
Pre Trip
Parking lot course cones and fake loading docks
Road Test
Plus one extra road test that Fed Ex required about 25 additional miles. They mail the results from this test to FECC to make sure you are skilled enough.
Instructor was great liked the fact that I took it seriously and corrected me on everything that needed improvment, I did not take it personally. Hope this helps and drive safe.
Kraig Allen

P.S. tried to just do the test on a tractor that the school would have supplied but you are required to take the test on the actual type of vehicle you are applying for. As soon as the test was finished they went with me to the DMV another $80.00.

jaminjim · Sep 25, 2004

Sorry I did not provide some info but I already have a truck. but the info you provided will help others who come here looking for info.

Jim

jaminjim · Sep 28, 2004

Double yeeeeehaaaaawwwww, Wife just got her hazmat.

Dreamer · Sep 28, 2004

> Double yeeeeehaaaaawwwww, Wife just got her hazmat.

Congrats on both of you passing! Best of luck to the two of you!

Dreamer

gandrew · Sep 29, 2004

Today was big for us, too. 9/29/04. Wife took the CDL, Air Brakes and Hazmat and passed them all. We start truckin' next week for Con Way Now. Yeee ha again!!

jaminjim · Oct 7, 2004

Well filled out the online app for Panther and we are approved, will go next week to orientation and then from rags to riches.
:+

jaminjim · Oct 11, 2004

Anybody with Panther have thoughts on where some good areas are with Panther, Maybe the hot spots and where not to be staged? We would like to hit the ground at least jogging if not running.