Profile For Dennis L

I got into trucking at age 66 because it was the only job that I could get. Trucking doesn’t discriminate based on race, gender or age. I’m 69 now.

I was retired from age 60. Decided that I needed to work. Applied to a lot of typical jobs, only got a couple interviews. No hires. Most of the small town jobs to which I applied get tax credits for hiring certain classes of people. I don’t fit.

Only one major trucking company was willing to overlook that I hadn’t worked for 5.5 years.

I never had a childhood dream of driving a big rig. I had driven large diesel motor homes towing a car. I do enjoy driving the big rig.

My Dad gave me toy Tonka trucks (metal not plastic) when I was a little kid on the farm. He gave me a dump truck, a cement mixer truck and a drag line shovel. I’m about to start driving a dump truck. So maybe that is a little kid’s dream come true.

I ran my last reefer load for Prime and turned in my truck today after 3 years.

I’m starting a new job on June 2nd driving a dump truck for a local aggregate and cement company in Branson, MO. This company is growing now opening a facility in Springfield, MO. I’ll be driving out of the Branson plant. Only 20 minutes commute. This company niche is commercial and residential construction projects. Avoids road work projects.

I’ll ride with two experienced Mack dump truck drivers my first week to learn the ropes. I may end up with a newer truck based on what I was told. Drivers do lite preventative maintenance on their truck (oil change, lube, etc.). No heavy tire changes. Been awhile since I worked on a vehicle, but I can do it.

Hourly pay, probably average 45 hours weekly. Paid bi-weekly. Not much upside, but will be nice working a regular schedule with weekends off. Less money than OTR, but I’ll be home. That was the goal.

Took five months from first interview in late December to close the deal. The company decided to put off hiring until Spring when construction work picked up again and took possession of new trucks. I stayed in contact with the hiring managers just to let them know that I was very interested in the job.

Following is a summary of my paid miles from 2022 to 2025 as a Prime solo company driver. My view is that solo company drivers are lowest priority for available loads. Prime is mostly a lease operation with emphasis on teaming. My company Fleet Manager was pushing teaming constantly. Never pushed me to lease.

2022: 21,605 mi (May - July); 59 days (off Aug-Nov for injury); 2,573 mi/wk (incls all DT)

2023: 114,704 mi; 322 days; 2,493 mi/wk (incls all DT) Freight slowdown started in April

2024: 94,598 mi; 287 days (off 26 days for personal bus.); 2,307 mi/wk

2025: 39,131 mi (thru 5/23 last day); 122 days; 2,245 mi/wk (incls all DT)

Totals: 270,038 miles paid; 790 days available to dispatch; 2,393 mi/wk (incls all downtime)

The last two months OTR have been lowest average miles. Had three 34 resets and multiple waits of ~24 hours waiting to arrive at customers as allowed. Many customers restrict early arrivals.

I am grateful to Prime for the opportunity to obtain my CDL and to drive for three years. Prime was only company willing to give me a chance back in 2022.

This blog article by G-Town helped me get my attitude right for training. Basically “be humble and coachable”. It still is necessary to be humble after 3 years OTR, learning everyday.

https://www.truckingtruth.com/trucking_blogs/Article-3893/ego-becomes-downfall-of-cdl-students

If you have a Hazmat endorsement you may be required to redo it. Check with Texas for their rules.

When I moved from AR to MO I was required to redo my Hazmat endorsement in MO. Had to go through the expense and time to get another TSA background check and take the Hazmat written exam in MO.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all.

I returned home on 12/22, a day earlier than scheduled. Off until 1/3. Will visit family in SE Arkansas 12/26-12/29.

Had 2 deaths in family there recently in Oct and a couple days ago, so mixed feelings this Christmas.

I’m working on a local driving job opportunity to get off the road. Driving a dump truck (aggregate stone) and/or a concrete mixer. Will know at mid-January if I get it. Interview was positive.

Job requires minimum 2 years commercial driving experience with relatively clean record. I have 2.5 years now. Hourly pay rather than mileage pay starting at $22/hr.

Probably $20k less per year, but it’s time for me to be home to help my wife more.

I’ve achieved one of my goals to see the country having driven in 46 states (only missing the Dakotas).

I did a topic search here for “dump truck driving”. A thread came up from G-Town. As usual he provided great detailed info about how to be safe operating a dump truck compared to a tractor-trailer combo.

Very sad news. Anne made me feel welcomed on this site. She helped me get through my TNT training with Prime.

Hey BK, how did your knee replacements go? Are you feeling like a young buck now?

Stevo, sorry about your nephew.

When I worked in Angola, a National co-worker had a 7 year old son with Lukemia. He needed to travel for treatments in South Africa.

To raise money an Expat co-worker with long hair like you had volunteered to have it shaved off for donations. We had a good time watching it come off. He raised a lot of $.

A $10 #2 buzz cut every 2 months works for me :)

I'd gotten a fist pump a time or 2 out on the road from kids. Brings back memories of us doing the same thing, as kids to truckers lol....Easy to make a kid smile and make their day too lol

1 of my funniest, I was in my '69 lowered, patina'd VW Bus, @ the drive thru at In & Out burger. As I approached the pick up window, 3 little blonde girls, maybe from 6-10 years old. They came running across the dining area inside, to the windows by the drive thru. All 3 of em gave me a big wave and a thumbs up/peace sign.

Hey Stevo, were you a Hippie?