wydtrak said:
Some of you might know that I have been trying to get on with R&L for awhile now. Well, my first day is Monday July 3rd. Going to be a linehaul driver in Atlanta.
You didn't specify whether or not this is your first time working for this type of company. I will assume for the moment that it isn't.
I would suggest that you contact one of the moderators and request that they remove those last two sentences. Do not post ANYTHING here that could even come close to identifying you. Terminal managers and other manner of management personnel can and do register as members of this forum under false pretenses so that they may play the role of "thought police", as certain sections of the handbooks are very broadly worded and can be interpreted by one to mean just about anything one wants.
Was told that I will be coming in to work at 4PM. Will do a couple of trailer swaps then a linehaul run after.
What sort of "trailer swaps"? Drop-and-hooks at a customer, or short relays?
One good thing about starting at that time, is that you'll have your own truck. You won't have to worry about someone else messing it up if you're one who likes to keep it shiny. If you were to start at a more "normal" time for a linehauler, such as between 7 and 10 PM, you'll be sharing a truck with a city driver.
Anything you "veterans" at the company want to share about it both good and bad, pls feel free. Also, how long does it take to get a scheduled run?
Good and bad? Okay.
First of all, I don't know what kind of trucks they have there. R&L uses Internationals and Macks.
The Int'ls have plenty of horsepower, but no legroom. I've never seen a cornbinder that had any. Don't bother looking for the enginebrake. There isn't one. They also ride rough, as the cabs are rigid-mounted, as opposed to air-ride.
The Macks are all air-ride, cab and suspension, although there are some older ones still around with 4-spring Reyco. The bulldogs have no horsepower at all, but they do ride good and are comfortable.
R&L sets their trucks at 72, so you can roll if you want, and since you probably won't be sharing a truck with someone due to your start time, you can keep your fifth wheel slid up without having to worry about your day driver going in the office and complaining. I prefer that because I think it softens the ride and makes the sets handle and pull a little easier.
If you do get a bid run that starts later, be prepared, because you will be slip-seating. They may stick you with a complete jerk who will screw you in a heartbeat, or someone who won't. City drivers come in all varieties. Some won't clean mirrors or windows, but will raise hell if you don't don't. Others will bi+ch about turning knobs on the CB or radio, or if you adjust the seat to make it comfortable. I don't know how some of these dimwits around here drive with the seat back all the back against the wall, like they're laying down. I have to be sitting up straight.
In any event, as your day driver would have more seniority, he will regard your using "his" truck, as if his name were on the side, as offensive and a complete affront, and will do anything to get you out of it, including dinging the bumper and blaming it on you. Unfortunately, some of them are that way.
You'll still have to do city work if you get a bid run, but not everyday. Only problem is, since R&L operates under slip-seating policies, your terminal will have a rule stating that linehaul drivers assinged to city deliveries must swap their trucks for one that isn't assigned to a city driver, which of course takes longer and means twice the damn paperwork. If it weren't for that I wouldn't mind the extra runs too much. They usually give very easy stuff to linehaul drivers.
One thing about R&L, is that they do pay good. I can't complain about that. I've never been laid off, either. What I've mentioned are the most aggravating things you'll have to deal with. If you can tolerate those, then you'll do fine.
