Profile For alongtimecomin(Steve Thomas)

alongtimecomin(Steve Thomas)'s Info

  • Location:
    St Louis, MO

  • Driving Status:
    Experienced Driver

  • Social Link:

  • Joined Us:
    10 years, 8 months ago

alongtimecomin(Steve Thomas)'s Bio

I spent 12 years in manufacturing management before making the switch to the open road. I had been around trucking quite a bit considering my ex-in-laws both sets were drivers and the ex brother in law was an o/o. I went through a small companies school and drove with them for the first 10 months and then made the switch to the company I am currently with. Been with these guys a little over a year now and couldn't be happier. I was active on this forum while in school and for a while after i went solo. When I came to this company I really had to adjust to running 3 to 4 weeks at a time (first company was home every weekend) so I wasn't on the computer much. Anyway I am back and looking forward to helping anyway I can. Be safe, Steve

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Posted:  10 years, 7 months ago

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Information About Roehl Transport

For any of you that have that rubber mat flooring in the truck - use a can of that tire spray stuff you get from Walmart on it and it will shine like you wouldn't believe. I used to put a piece of carpet down in most trucks but if I was using the stock rubber flooring I would break out the tire spray.

Thanks Brett! Of all the products I have tried on this floor I have never thought of the tire shine. Even though I have 2 cans in the side box. Guess I know how I'm spending the morning.

Posted:  10 years, 7 months ago

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When you go home.......

This is a normal feeling I am sure. I know I can only take about 3 days at the house and I am itching to get back in the truck and go. My friends can't understand why I get antsy after the 2nd day. They are always telling me to relax and have a "normal" few days at home and my response is always the same being at the house is not "normal" to me. I actually catch myself missing the sound of my reefer unit at night when I go to bed.

Posted:  10 years, 7 months ago

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Drafting/Tailgating

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I usually flash my markers at them to make it look like im breaking. They usually move. Why a car would wanna follow that close is beyond me.

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Only problem with doing this is if the driver of the 4 wheeler slams their brakes or swerves from panicking it could get real bad behind you and innocent drivers around the dip sh't tailgating could be injured.

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Would that really be your fault though? I mean, come on, we flashed our lights. Would someone really panic if the see a few lights flickering. 4 wheelers are pretty hollow in the head but I don't think they are that brain dead.

But if what your saying was the cause. I'm really curious to see who would win if they went to court with the 4 wheeler accusing the truck driver of forcing him to go off the road because he panicked from his lights.

Interesting situation

I am in fact saying a 4 wheeler may panic and cause an accident. (witnessed it about a year ago over on I85) Never said it would be your fault just saying that is a dangerous move. Have you not noticed how many 4 wheelers are not paying attention while driving? Now imagine all of a sudden your tail lights light up in front of them. If they see this and panic it could go bad is all I am saying.

Posted:  10 years, 7 months ago

View Topic:

Drafting/Tailgating

I usually flash my markers at them to make it look like im breaking. They usually move. Why a car would wanna follow that close is beyond me.

Only problem with doing this is if the driver of the 4 wheeler slams their brakes or swerves from panicking it could get real bad behind you and innocent drivers around the dip sh't tailgating could be injured.

Posted:  10 years, 8 months ago

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Trucks

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I am a newb training in a Cascadia...Automatic. I have been on the road for two weeks now and have been inquiring about the difference in tractors. My personal dream truck is an old school Peterbilt, the harder to drive the better. Not going to happen with Averitt. They roll in Volvos, Internationals and, of course, Freightliners...All automatics. So, if I have my pick of the three (I will not), it would be an International. The only real complaint I have heard on this one is it is too heavy. Personal preference.smile.gif

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Why would you want an International? Right now Internationals are the most problematic and unreliable truck on the road due to the way its made. Its not the "truck" per se but the engine and electrical components that are the issue.

While Internationals are heavier they are just not trustworthy and have less space in them for storage than other class 8 trucks.

This company has freightliners and Internationals when I started and they have gone all international due to less breakdown issues that with them. So being the most problematic I'm not so sure about.

Posted:  10 years, 8 months ago

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How Many Miles Do Truck Drivers Get Per Week?

I shoot for 3000 a week and usually get between that and 3500. With that being said after about 3 weeks of that I need a break. We have several drivers at this company who are perfectly happy with 2500 a week. So mg DM and our planners try everything they can to keep myself and a good friend of mine moving. The amount you get per week or month is greatly affected by so many variables it is impossible to really predict.

Posted:  10 years, 8 months ago

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Need some good advice

Go online and apply to several companies. You may have as much of a problem with the home state being Florida. That's about all can suggest without knowing details of exactly how many incidents and what they were.

Posted:  10 years, 8 months ago

View Topic:

Everyday is a new experience

Can Honestly say I have never had that happen. I have had loads cancelled while I was in route to the pick up though. Kinda runs the plan for the day.

Posted:  10 years, 8 months ago

View Topic:

Trucks

I drove the Volvo 670 & 780 along with a Pete 387 at the last company. With this company I have driven the Freighliner cascadia and the prostar. Like different things about each. But, overall I will take my prostar any day.

Posted:  10 years, 8 months ago

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Truck Stops

I use the "truxter" app it shows rest areas, truck stops, Wal-Marts etc. But like was mentioned by red above I plan my stops ahead of time.

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