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Post by Range Rat on May 1, 2004 12:07:52 GMT -5
I start orientation with GTI Tuesday for their US Fleet and am very excited that a 52 year old can make the career jump. Of course there is much to learn and I hope to succeed in this new field.
GTI has been totally professional, courteous and responsive throughout the application process. Dealing with four different folks who share the same professional attitude speaks volumes about the organization as a whole. It was the deciding factor for me in choosing a company
For my geographic location (northern Nevada) GTI is far and above the best choice IMHO.
And the adventure begins!
Ernie
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Post by fozzie on May 1, 2004 13:44:01 GMT -5
Ernie,
GTI was my first choice in companies to drive for right out of school and I would still be going with them if I hadn't found a regional company to drive for.
They top the list in many ways when we researched places to work. They have a high safety record. They treat their drivers like people, rather than a number. And, the driver turn-over rate is very low, compared with the majority of companies their size... currently running around 58%.
I too, think you've made a good choice!
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Post by Range Rat on May 5, 2004 21:00:09 GMT -5
fozzie,
I just got back from orientation that was held at the Medford terminal and am still quite impressed with the organization. I had the opportunity to talk with several drivers and they were all very satisfied with GTI. Didn't hear one complaint.
For a newbie, GTI has a one day orientation followed by four weeks with a finisher, then the remaining two days of orientation prior to getting a truck. Day one included a road test and convertor dolly test. Now, I'm waiting for a call from my finisher. They tell me I won't be waiting long so I better get packing.
BTW, the guy who gave me the road test was an ex math teacher who needed a change. He is one squared away dude! Hope my finisher is of the same caliber.
Ernie
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Post by pete379 on May 13, 2004 12:23:29 GMT -5
I to like them and would hook up with them but my only downfall is that they don't hire on the east coast. The equipment is excellent just dont like the idea of drivng automatic's. But good luck and all the best Range rat. P.s. I'm thinkin of movin' to washington but not sure
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Post by Range Rat on May 14, 2004 8:49:47 GMT -5
After a small scheduling SNAFU that was beyond anyones control, I leave with my trainer this evening. Still, the extra time allowed me to clean up the old honey do list before hitting the road.
You're right pete379, their equipment is excellent. The blue GTI tractors are manual 10 speeds but they do have a bunch of the old D. Simon black colored tractors and I don't know if any of those are automatic shift or not.
Since we live and die by Qualcom, I better study the macros some more. The student training agenda looks pretty aggressive so it will be a very busy 4 weeks, or 5 if I'm particularly slow.
Ernie
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Luman
New Member
Posts: 9
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Post by Luman on May 19, 2004 4:39:25 GMT -5
I'm glad that you posted about GTI. I have been looking for a good company that has a terminal out of Vegas area. I will be moving an hour north of Vegas soon at which time I plan to goto truck driving school. Please keep us informed on how your training goes, impressions, and etc.
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Missy
New Member
Posts: 7
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Post by Missy on May 24, 2004 22:33:48 GMT -5
For a newbie, GTI has a one day orientation followed by four weeks with a finisher, then the remaining two days of orientation prior to getting a truck. Day one included a road test and convertor dolly test. What do they paid during training? Congratulations on your new career!!
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Post by Range Rat on Jun 16, 2004 10:09:11 GMT -5
Just finished 30 days with my trainer and will finish with 3 days orientation next week. Should have been in orientation today but decided to take a week off before getting back on the road.
In 30 days time we ran over 14,000 miles. I haven't counted how many trailers we dropped/hooked but it was a bunch. In all the loads we took, only one of them was a driver assist unload. All the others were drop/hooks or power load/unload by the customer. I am not saying that is typical but only what we experienced.
Missy, during the training period your pay is 325.00 per week. When done with training and going solo you start at .27/mile.
GTI's equipment is very well maintained with frequent safety inspections on the equipment and on the spot corrective actions taken as necessary.
I still think it is a good organization with the only problem I've seen being weekend dispatch. They aren't too squared away but I think that is typical throughout the industry. They tend to use the OTR guys to clean up some local type loads which usually don't benefit the driver financially.
So, after three days orientation I will be assigned a truck and start on mileage.
Bottom line is I would still recommend GTI.
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Post by oldbuddy on Jul 20, 2004 20:59:27 GMT -5
It is great to find info On Gordon. I will be going to school next week (26th) and have been looking for a company that would treat me as a person and not a number. I come from the software world and have always wanted to drive. I am now 45 with a family and going to take the jump. I am a hard worker and plan to do the same on the road. Because I have thought about this and planed for over 3 months. I have done nothing but researchevery company out there. From west to east coast. I have narrowed it done to two companies. The first one was SNI. Reason? I could find not one piece of info on Gordon. After checking furter I found the info that I have been searching for. Solid proof about the company. So I narrowed it down to one. GORDON. I will be starting there program in about 4 to 5 weeks. My main question after all of this is... Does anyone want to team out of the Washinton area. Gordon does not match up but would take a team if they were already in place. If you think you would be interested and would like to chat about it. Please email me and we can see what we can work out. The only thing I would like to add is. I am a hard worker and I am out there to make money! Second thig is I have a family and would like to see them every two weeks as possible. Everything else I can take. So give me email and we can chat. OH YEA ONE FOR GODON IF YOU ARE TAKING VOTES. THEY ARE THE BEST ON THE WEST!
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cleem
New Member
Posts: 4
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Post by cleem on Jul 22, 2004 22:14:25 GMT -5
oldbuddy,
I'm a current student in Portland thoroughly impressed with GTI. What part of Washington are you from? I might be interested in a team gig. I fall in the same boat as you, (hard worker), just a different background. I'm 24, with a wife and baby; just finished my duty in the Army and am looking forward to a career in truck driving. I got called in for an interview with Burlington Northern, the railroad company, for a job as a locomotive conductor, and if I don't take the job, I'm pretty sure I'll end up with Gordon. Wouldn't that be funny, to spend $4,000 on a truck school just to work for the railroad. I must say, the pay, benefits, and home time is MUCH better on a train!
I'll keep you posted as to what my plans are, if you find another person by then, best of luck to ya! Have a wonderful weekend.
Regards, Chris Myron
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Post by oldbuddy on Jul 24, 2004 13:26:49 GMT -5
cleem..
that sounds good. you keep me posted and or send me an email or a PM on this board. I would love to talk about it if you choose to go this direction. Yesterday I was at Gordon (Washington) for about 2 hours talking and going through the complete operation. I even sat in on one of thier classes just o get an idea what I am up against. Overall the best I have seen and I have been to 4 in my area. SWIFT..NO WAY, TWT STEVENS...NO WAY, WERNER...NO WAY Those places are a rat trap and would not even consider it. Gordon from what I can see is killer all the way around.
Keep me posted!
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