Question:
Well it looks like US Xpress is going to be fortunate enough to have me drive for them, $250 upfront and im off looks like I will go mid feb. There even offering 1 free meal a day in the month of feb! Wow wee........... talk about timeing lol...............Anyways for those that drove or are driveing for them kindly leave a message about the does and donts. Where do they run most there loads? I can take my old lady with me day 1, after rideing w a trainer of course, that rocks.....i figure the money I save on lot lizards I can buy a house, rock on!

Answer:
Make sure you dot all your i's and cross your t's on your info for orientation. ALL your personal info, dates of employment, any accident info, etc. has to coincide to the letter with whomever they call to verify, or you will have trouble. They will insist it all be correct before you can proceed.
Once through that bottle neck, though, you'll be home free. Just pay attention in orientation and read the driver's employee manual cover to cover. Everything's spelled out very clearly as to company procedures, what's expected of you, and what you can expect from the company.
I am very happy with USX.
Btw, they always furnish lunch during orientation. And we have plenty of freight in and out of Chicago. Several regional fleets, too. Take your pick.
Oink! Oink! Oink! Grunt! Grunt!
Answer:
FT!! hi friend. just wanted to say hi.
with all the information that FT has given me about us xpress this is the company i most want to go with. i have also heard good things about them on this board as well as from instructors at my school. they have an excellent pay package as well.
um on a side note i think the lot lizard comment referencing your wife as your way to save money was rather repugnant.
when you pray you talk to God
when you stand in front of the ocean he talks to you

Answer:
Welcome to the Family, I agree with FT on listen very carefully during orientation even though it will be hard to stay awake at times. I have been with one of their division (Xpress Global) now for 8 months and I think I finally found a home.
Just remember all the trucks are auto-shifted, meaning if you decide to leave the company in the future it will be hard to find another job without having to do additional training on manual shift.
Good luck and I may see you at the terminal (warehouse) in Hazelwood, MO in the near future.

Answer:
FT!! hi friend. just wanted to say hi.
Well, hello there, little lady! How goes it?
Mekidd, did you get the company Christmas presents? I have to get them mailed to me because I never get to a terminal anymore.
Answer:
Hey FT, going good here.
What presents?

Answer:
Do you call in for the driver updates (or do you even get them, not sure about Xpress Global)? They mentioned it at the beginning of December. I just got mine today. My FM sent it to me, because I never get by my home terminal since I've been on this dedicated. Got a very nice leather zippered log book case, a ruler, a fairly sophisticated electronic calendar with world time, alarm, calculator, and currency converter on it, a Maglite flashlight, and a nice pen set -- everything with the USX logo on them.
Just ask for it at your home terminal.
Answer:
USX runs automatics.
As a newbie you limit your options if your first year of experience is only with automatics.
Don't plan on USX being the last outfit you work for, although it could well be... however the turnover statistics for drivers suggest it won't.

Answer:
No, autoshifts are GOOD. Who wants to shift gears all day? The autoshifts are a non-issue unless that's ALL you know how to drive - AND you hire on with USX planning to quit (but then, you would have to learn to drive a manual regardless). If you get your CDL at an independent school and learn on a standard transmission, you can always drive one again later, it's not a point of no-return. Besides, more companies are getting autoshifts every year, they're going to have to, in order to get and keep drivers (it cuts both ways).
Everyone I've come into contact with at U.S. is very happy with the company. I don't know where you are seeing US Xpress statistics, but they have a very high driver retention rate.
See my other posts on the subject here, and on Pumpkindriver.com.
Oink! Oink! Oink! Grunt! Grunt!
Answer:
Fatty, I think my point is that new drivers who get on with USX just after school and run only automatics for the first year will be somewhat limited.
Sure, they may have learned on a manual but after running automatics for a year that manual comfort level and experience will still be at the student level... if that. It is something like riding a bike, but if one doesn't get much experience with it in the first place it is difficult starting up again.
USX's retention rates may have something to do with the automatics... the drivers either pick up on their manual skills or move to another company running automatics.
I have nothing against automatics, it was bound to happen sooner or later. But during this period of transition, and it may be a very long one, it is best a driver know and get some experience with a manual so as to not limit their options.
Just my opinion.