Location:
Guyton, GA
Driving Status:
Considering A Career
Social Link:
Navy Veteran. 35 year electronics technician looking for a change in career paths compliments of my soon to be former employer. ZERO experience with a big truck, so training is a must have. I have some fond memories of picking up two truckers that worked for Wolf Coast to Coast, they put my vehicle in the rocking chair and they took us coast to coast from Oakland, CA to Gettysburg, PA. These guys gave my two girls their CB handles. I wish I could remember the other driver's name.... great guys! I know there are good drivers out there! It is really a toss up between flatbed with TMC or reefer with Stevens Transport or tanker with Prime. I know that tanker operations with a rookie can be a challenge! Never been one to back away from a challenge. My concern with TMC is slinging those tarps over the load. Can this 56 year old "carcass" handle that kind of exertion? Each has it's pros and cons and all constructive criticisms are welcomed. Just do me a favor and be truthful with me. Recruiters have the job of making their company look like they walk on water; the drivers know better. Hence, truthful exchanges appreciated: Good, bad and ugly! This is something that I have been wanting to do for a number of years, so with the shortage of drivers and the career change being eminent, I figure why not go for it. Been married for 36 years, so the wife is aware...as well as supportive.
Posted: 2 years, 9 months ago
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Anyone see this?:
Trucker's NOT Exempt; January Mandate.
Thoughts?
~ Anne ~
Unenforceable IMO
Posted: 2 years, 9 months ago
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The radio comes set up from the factory although many will spend a few extra bucks to have it fine tuned which will improve overall performance. The antenna is relatively unimportant as the coax cable is generally the culprit when a radio isn’t working to full potential.
I have to disagree with you RobertB. The antenna is more important than the coaxial cable. Being an RF technician for the past 35 years, I know the value of a good antenna! If you have a choice, you want the best antenna you can afford. The radios are tuned and tested at the factory, so there is no need to have it retuned unless there are issues with reception (which are extremely rare). There really isn't much difference given the length of RF cable involved in a truck installation. I would assume you have less than 100 feet of cable (more like 25 feet or less). Cable losses are minimal at these distances. You will start seeing issues over 100 feet of cable depending on the cable type (RG-8 vs. LMR400 for example). Don't believe in a truck installation that would be an issue. Go with the good antenna! You won't regret the decision! I do agree that if you do have a problem, the first place I would look would be the RF cable for connector issues on either end (moisture) and smashed dielectric or breaks in the cable.
Posted: 2 years, 9 months ago
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COVID Mandates and trucking companies
ps: Sorry your company is doing this to you. I don't remember your field of work.
Anne, My "current" employer is Honeywell Aerospace for now. January 8th, that may change provided the Supreme Court doesn't do anything about the mandates. I am an electronics technician with 30 plus years and looking at a major career change.
Posted: 2 years, 9 months ago
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Any homeless Truckers out there?
I've been wondering about this topic too. One question not addressed already is how do you maintain an address if you're truly "homeless?" You have to have an address for a bank account, filing income taxes, credit card, voting, cell phone etc.
Get a Post Office Box in a town where you have "family" of some sort and in one that you may pass through on occasion.
Posted: 2 years, 9 months ago
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Percentage Pay Versus Mileage Pay
So I would be much better off reading this vs reading my Georgia CDL manual?
Absolutely. Our program is based off the Illinois manual simply because it was the most thorough of all of the state manuals but 98% of the various state manuals are identical. So you can read through your Georgia manual if you like but it's not necessary. If you use nothing but The High Road you'll get awesome scores on your exams and you'll retain the information far better than simply reading through the manual.
I have to agree Brett! The TT High Roads Training Program is awesome! Easily digestible chunks of information broken down into a useable format! I love the quizzes that reinforce stuff you've already learned! Much better than the Georgia CDL manual! I may go to that manual for state specific stuff, but it isn't the primary source HRTP is!
Posted: 2 years, 9 months ago
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COVID Mandates and trucking companies
This has been discussed at nauseum. Scroll through the site and you'll find all of the information and opinions you can handle.
That is fine! I am new to the website.... If the Moderator would prefer to delete the thread, I am good with that!
Posted: 2 years, 9 months ago
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COVID Mandates and trucking companies
Since my employer is enforcing the COVID 19 mandate, this brings up a question. Are the trucking companies enforcing the Covid19 mandates? Yes, the courts have determined they are unconstitutional and yes, one of the courts (don't remember which Circuit Court) reinstated the mandates; however, I REFUSE to take an experimental EUA jab for anyone! The politics aside, I would like to know if I change professions, will I have to comply with these shots? Thanks folks!
Posted: 2 years, 9 months ago
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Met my 1st "Karen" today @ gas station
Had a woman the other day come over and start getting nasty with me because my big truck was blocking one side of the gas pumps. I pointed to the large hoses leading from my truck into the ground, "Ma'am I'm delivering gas, and this is where the tanks are."
You just can't fix STUPID!
Posted: 2 years, 9 months ago
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Driving for TMC, let's hear it Drivers!
"I don't remember where you're from... it's not in your profile (sorry!)"
Small town northwest of Savannah, Georgia: Guyton.
Posted: 2 years, 8 months ago
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Nurse to Trucker
I can relate to the new job change CB. I have been an electronics technician for 35 plus years and I, too, am looking at a major career change. Been looking at several companies (reefers, dry bulk and flatbeds and just don't know if this 56 year old carcass can handle slinging tarps. ZERO experience with big trucks other than following them out on the interstate in my 4 wheeler LOL. Got some fond memories of two drivers that picked up my family in Reno, NV and drove us completely across country to make my grandfather's funeral days later. Lot of respect for the "good" drivers out there. These guys gave my girls their CB handles that many years ago. Let's keep in touch! Scott AKA SeaDog