Comments By Rad

Rob T!!! Thank you so much. Sincerely. I’m gonna keep on fishing for other opportunities. Hopefully, someone will pick me up soon. I think I’m worth it. I think I handled that situation well and was responsible to protect other drivers and myself. It’s yet to be determined but they saying it wasn’t my fault. I’ll keep you all posted about that. I do just want to make an honest living and just be in good hands. I really do enjoy tractor dumpsters, I really do. I wouldn’t mind a flatbed, I guess. My license is precious to me and I really love it. There was a union opportunity for a dump truck but the pay was $23 an hour. I cancelled that interview to Jump on this. I’m pretty sure it was going to be the same deal. This is the third time an employer has just handed me over the keys to the truck. So far this has been the most comfortable to me. The other 2 guys I ran from. ( they had missing mud flaps, the other guy wanted me to drive his truck with no speedometer. I kid you all not) I came across this company they have a pretty big office it all seemed legit. This is all the play by play.

I just received a letter from a company called TQM they are requesting information from FMCSA and clearinghouse. I went ahead and approved the query consent. We will see what they are talking about. I have been sending out so many emails I kinda lose track and the phone calls and emails are overwhelming at this point. I just need something good. I’m not a teenager anymore...lol. Thanks for all your time guys, it really means allot. Seriously.

I hear you, Banks. Just trying to play my hand here. The main route seems like it’s in port jervis , ny. I believe there are 2 more, one in New Jersey and another in Long Island. Not a bad ride. The quarry is where it gets hilly and curvy. I just use the maximum engine brake and let it roll and stab brake as needed.

Yeah I have to deal with unemployment and Medicaid this week. I’m gonna file for partial unemployment on Sunday for the 2 days and then see how the week goes. I was looking at the Ltl’s. They seem promising. I just have to see if they will take me on as a new driver. I’m really not trying to be OTR. I’m looking for a M-F. I guess I can maybe do a couple days OTR, but I’m not going to be living out of a truck. Not for me.

I really wanted to do intermodal or a tanker with Schneider for training. They are in New Jersey, but they said since I didn’t get my license with them that I needed at least 3 months experience. So again I’m Like , how am I gonna get the experience. I think you have to go away for 19 days at $70 dollars a day, if I remember correct. I appreciate and respect your advice and seniority. I’ll definitely keep you guys posted. I surely want a nice benefit package.

As for snow, I would think that’s a no no with that kind of weight. You aren’t even supposed to use your brakes. Super slow with hazards on. But If that’s the case, why even drive? I dunno, am I right? Haven’t driven in the rain yet, as well. Pray for me guys. I’m definitely not speeding anywhere and keeping my distance.

A w-4 would make you an employee, but that doesn't mean you're a driver on their insurance. You'd have to be employed as a driver and I'm not sure how all of the works to be honest.

So, what happens when it's time for Medicaid to verify your income and they scrap your insurance? In 6 months you want to ask for more, but you don't know if you still have a job right now. You said maybe get something better in a year like a construction gig, but what happens if the bubble bursts and there are no construction gigs for a year or two.

I get it, 15 minute commute and a brand new truck with an easy day as long as the equipment works the way it's supposed to and you're able to handle the mountains (I'm assuming Pennsylvania). You didn't do too well with it on a nice day, what happens when it's snowing. Mountains in Pennsylvania, it snows all the time from November to April. Can't use the engine brake in the snow, now what?

I really do feel like your priorities are off. You have a family and instead of being concerned with health, dental, life insurance, safety and real training you're concerned about a light day, a quick commute and a new truck.

To each his own. You can lead the horse to water, but that's about it. Good luck and I hope it all goes the way you want it to.

Thanks for the reply. So God forbid, I was to get into an accident and I’m not on their insurance. What would be the outcome of that ordeal?

I would look into LTL companies near you, they are all hiring drivers. Like Banks said you will probably have to go through their training program. Right now it sounds like you are at a company that isn't too concerned with safety and I am afraid you are not even on their insurance. Trying to use them for experience is a risk with not much reward in my opinion.

Thanks Banks

Unless something has changed, DOT doesn't monitor this site and if they do there isn't much information for them to pinpoint who you are and come after you.

That’s exactly what I meant..lol. Good to know

At 30 an hour? Are you getting paid cash? If so, hate to break it up you but this probably doesn't count as experience for a job requiring experience. There's no paper trail. Are you covered by your employers vehicle insurance? Did they request access to your Clearinghouse? If the answers are no, none of this counts as experience. You're just driving a truck and putting yourself in a bad spot if something bad happens.

I haven’t gotten a paid yet. I only worked 2 days so far. I’m supposed to call on Monday to find out what the deal is. Apparently, the payroll ends on tuesdays and you get a check on Friday. I filled out a W4 and asked if taxes we’re going to be taken out they said, yes. Doesn’t that qualify me as being in the books? The truck is brand new and the insurance and Registration was all up to par. It’s a Mack truck automatic pinnacle 64t. I really enjoyed it. As for clearinghouse, they didn’t drug test me. Not sure if they plan to, I’m good to go either way. I’m supposed to get fingerprinted by them before I actually would start getting paid. I’m not sure exactly what that was all about. It’s all went down pretty fast. I was on Craigslist basically emailing , everything of Interest to me. I got the reply, was told to go to the main office in downtown Brooklyn. (Which was nice and high class), from there he said if I could make it to hunts point. I was like, yes sir , be there within the hour. Checked out their operation. They own half of hunts point. I think the owner own stake of Barclays center. They showed me the truck asked if I had experience. I was honest and said no. I never driven a dump truck in my life. I have been playing around with the 53 dry vans for a bit but that’s it. I guess my first day was a route test. 2nd day I was on my own and then the tires went up in smoke and of course the brakes. I don’t know but it was out of control. They said they are investigating and don’t think I was at fault.

I can see myself staying with the dump trucks. It was really satisfying. I guess that’s the beauty of this license. I can drive anything. Now if I can just land something substantial and long term. I’ll have a new career. I was thinking, maybe I just stick it out with them for 6 months and earn their respect and just say hey I have a family can we do something better? That’s the plan anyways. If they are taking out taxes I think that’s verifiable experience, is it not??

As far as the job. Cmon Banks. 15 minutes from the job. I can wake up at 5am fix my lunch, pack the cooler , have a little breakfast and cruise on down to the yard. Start my day at 6, drop whatever I loaded previously by 8- 8:30, pick up, on my way headed back to the city at around 10, arrive, take a little break, back in the city at around 12:30. Dump and reload for the next day. It’s all done at around 2 o’clock. I can either go home or do another run. Then it’s 15 min to get back home. I’m not gonna find anythjng like that!! Brand new truck too. For experience, I think this might be a blessing. 117,000 lbs lol I know I know. But I got to start somewhere.

You get hired as a driver apprentice and you're put into a queue. You work the dock until it's your turn to get trained. You are trained by a former driver that is now a driver development instructor. It's not on the job training and FedEx will not send you to a CDL school. They can send you to another location to get trained if you're ok with it, but I don't think it's likely because right now they're short drivers and I'm sure all driver development locations are tied up with students.

The training has changed, from what I've heard but when I did it it was 1 week learning to back, 1 week driving on public roads, 1 week learning doubles and 1 week out with a city driver on a route. If you have a CDL you do the same exact program as someone with a permit. The only difference is that a person with a permit has to take a state road test. That test will be scheduled and paid for by FedEx and it will take place at a DMV facility with a DMV examiner. FedEx has nothing to do with your examine, other than what's mentioned above and providing the truck.

Scaring you?!?!? My husband got RIF'd out of IT in CMH ... Intimidation... oh boy! Never our intention, Rad. FWIW, nobody here messes with people's id's (thank Gawd Todd is gone, haha!!)

Appreciate at you Anne. You guys are pretty cool. I’m just here trying to make it happen

I miss my old benefits. I’m coming from a 16 year job as an office admin. Took me 16 years to make 60,000 but I had 1 month paid vacation and excellent benefits. My 401k is still sitting pretty behind that job. I received a package after covid hit. And pursued a cdl. We are on Medicaid now, they pay for everything, but we lost our doctors and dentist. Really sucked. I have no idea about how this malfunction occurred. I raise my axles upon entering the yard and drop them when I’m on the road. That’s what I was told to do 🤷🏼‍♂️. I’m kinda glad, I called the boss and let him know that I was concerned. He pretty much took over the convo and said we don’t think you were at fault. (I mean it’s all on camera) but investigators are supposedly being sent out to investigate the trailer. Being that it’s a holiday weekend, he said to call him on Monday. They are trying to get a loaner trailer. And that’s about all I have on that. As far as this job goes. I know I don’t have benefits. I just feel the experience and convenience is just priceless. I’m 15 minutes away from the job and basically have a nice 2 hour route and I can take my time. M-f.( They are Jewish and don’t work on weekends, also it’s a don’t work don’t get paid kinda deal) I’m just thinking experience. I can ride this out. Stay safe as possible. And if I can thug this out for 6 months a year. I think I’ll be good enough to be in the game. Backing would be getting by the day. Just can’t get into any accidents or get any type of infraction. It is scary but I think I can handle it. If I get a year experience with this. I don’t see why FedEx or usps wouldn’t pick me up for a nice package deal . That’s the plan anyways. Or maybe a nice union construction job. Dump trucks are pretty fun and satisfying. May God protect me. But yeah that’s the plan 🤷🏼‍♂️

I am scared to reveal myself. You guys get me nervous with all the dac/ dot talk. I want to keep my license clean and safe as possible. I’m from NYC though. Jusy trying to make it happen.

I'm still following, interest 'piqued,' Rad.

I hope it works for you, however which way. I still think Banks' FXF dealio is a better route. Wouldn't it be great to have bennies, WITH a 5 y/o?

You never 'did' state your location; we might have 'other' collective ideas for ya.

Lastly, could the mechanical failure have been related to that 'drop axle/tag axle?' Just thinking out loud.

Keep us in the loop, good sir.

Wish you well,

~ Anne ~

Just wanted to update you all. The boss says they don’t feel I’m at fault. 🤷🏼‍♂️

Banks!!! I’ll look into that. It seems all of the FedEx jobs are out in New Jersey. I wouldn’t mind working for them. But this opportunity is as local as it gets. Aside from no benefits and such. I know I’m getting low balled with the pay, but I’ll take it.

I really do enjoy these this dump truck, nonetheless. You know I’m actually supposed to be making $40+, or so I’m told. It’s a Mack truck pinnacle trailer. It’s automatic . Brand new.

As to what I know right now. They are still investigating, but they believe it’s some sort of malfunction. I was told to give him a call on Monday. So I guess that’s good news. I’m just going to ride this out for the experience and hopefully earn a real decent living behind all of this with some good benefits. I swear to you guys I really do my best. The cab had front and driver cameras installed. I guess the were watching the tapes. I’m totally alert and serious. I don’t speed, tailgate or anything like that. I respect the road.

Thanks for all your attention and blessings. I know this is dangerous work, but I’m not going back to the office. I’m 40 years old and gonna just ride this out for the rest of my time , if I can. I’m gonna take this experience as a warning and just be extra careful out there. Slow, steady and alert. God bless you all.

I’m still a bit bothered about that accident report. I was never towed. I guess I have to wait 14 days to see what the officer wrote. The “boss” says that this won’t effect my license. I dunno. We will see

Fed ex won’t take me on this early especially if I’m not coming from an accredited school

Not true. You can apply to be a driver apprentice and they'll take you. They won't hire you as a City Driver or a Road Driver, but they'll hire you as a driver apprentice. I worked with a bunch of people that aren't through the program that got their CDL through company sponsored training and by borrowing a truck from a buddy. FedEx hired them as apprentices and put them through their program.

After the fire department cleared the scene, the police officer was stressing that I get the vehicle off the highway. The police officer went ahead and called a tow truck. I called dispatch and let them know what was going on. I was told to not let the tow truck driver touch the vehicle, that they were sending their own company and were en route. The police officer was saying that the vehicle was to be moved ASAP and not to wait a minute longer. So I put the truck into low gear and crept out of the immediate exit, made a right and sat there in a gravel parking lot. The companies tow truck service arrived soon after. On the incident report it states that the police officers’ stow truck guy , towed the truck. That was not the case. I made it off the highway on my own. So there is already a discrepancy with the paper work.

Anyways I spoke with the property manager there and he said it was ok for me to drop my load there. I went ahead and got that done and unhooked the trailer and left it with the tow truck guys. The replaces the 4 tires before I unhooked and I bobtailed back home. I really don’t know how this will effect me going forward. I’m going to call my “boss” a little later if they don’t call me first. I don’t know how this is all going to play out. Fed ex won’t take me on this early especially if I’m not coming from an accredited school. Everyone wants experience and I’m like how am I to get that. I think this was a really good deal I had going on, but we will see. I had already cleared the little mountain route and I was on the highway en route to the city. I noticed the smoke on the highway so I pulled over just before the next exit. I would like to know what caused the brakes to catch fire if that was even the case. It could have been an inner tire that went and got out of control. Then again I’m not really sure. I just saw smoke. I didn’t feel anything, the gauges were fine, I had air, so I dunno.

You had a trailer fire and you swapped out tires and kept driving?

If your brakes went up in flames and it was so bad that the fire department had to put it out, why would you even consider driving it?

Did you put the truck in manual to lock it in a lower gear to help with the engine brakes and service brakes? What would you do if it was raining heavily or snowing and the engine brake isn't an option? You put yourself in a pickle here, but I'm guessing you'll be ok. I don't think a company that puts someone in the driver seat of 100k+ lb load on day two is the type of company that reports to Hireright.

You were lucky that you were able to stop and that you didn't kill yourself or someone else with that kind of weight and going down a mountain.

I went local out the gate because I wanted to be home every night. I went to FedEx Freight and did my training and first year and a half there. It's worth looking into. Top rate at FedEx is 30+ an hour (depending on location) with time and a half after 8 hours and you get the benefits too. Long term, for you and your family, that's the move to make. I don't know where you're located, but see if the center closest to you is hiring for Driver Apprentice. Since you have less than a year experience you won't qualify to be hired as a city driver or a road driver.

Thanks Anne, Yeah prime, western express , CR England. They all want to take me on. Not sure about now after this? I’m just not ready to be OTR. I enjoy being home on the weekends and in my bed every night. Respect to everyone that’s on the road .My son is 5 , we are playing baseball. This was like ideal as it gets and pretty enjoyable , as well. Definitely, have new found respect for the trucks. I have my hazmat and tanker endorsements. Imagine if that was a flammable tanker!! It would have been over. So I really want to know what the story is and just be better. I do understand the severity of all this. I’m sure they are looking at the tape and are inspecting the remains. They are fixing the trailer now and I guess will let me know the outcome of the entire event.

Rad M.,

Sorry for your misfortune & I sure hope the guys at TTR aren't flaming you too bad, sincerely.

This is why, HERE at Trucking Truth, we recommend prospective drivers get their CDL through, and train/drive with, an OTR company; for at least the first year.

I'm not sure what your future holds, but we've got THIS link, that could help:

Apply For Truck Driving Jobs

Wish you the best~

~ Anne ~

I was really appreciative for the opportunity. I mean you have to start somewhere. I have a 5 year old son and don’t really want to be over the road and away from home. I did the route test the day before and all went well. I was pretty comfortable with the responsibility. It’s really not that bad. Heavy but manageable. I was going slow, using my mirrors, staying in the right lane, kept the engine brake on high and used the maximum breaking effect. Followed the protocols for the load. Dropped my extra axles on the road, I had them raised upon entering the yard. Pto was definitely off. I guess I’m going to find out in a day or so what happened with the brakes. It’s really unfortunate I was really on my way I felt and like I said, the smoke came. I got up there dropped a load of stone, picked up 117, 340 ( something like that I noticed they always fill to the max), went and got scaled and I was out of the yard. Maybe 15 minutes into the trip back to dump. I’m smoking. I pull over to the shoulder and the smoke just got worst. Then I saw flames and was like oh man 👀. I went and got the fire extinguisher. And things just got bad so I called 911 and then dispatch. I actually called dispatch when I pulled over first and was telling them I just pulled over because I see smoke. Then I just hung up and took matters into my own hands which didn’t really do much. Yeah feeling pretty disappointed. I really hope im not scarred for life behind this. I was given an incident report. Everyone was saying that my license would be ok. I dunno. Gonna remain positive. It was a great opportunity for me to get started, I really enjoyed it. We will see what happens next. I hope it’s ok sharing this on here, lol. Anyways thanks for your attention. God bless you all.