Profile For Travis

It's not a deal breaker or anything but not having the option at all has seemed like a pain.

On the other side of the spectrum of not having it available would be carriers pushing you hard to always use it despite, as you said, being too tired to feel safe.

I pop on your YouTube every once and again.

What laptop have you got for gaming?

Become a trucker YouTuber. You have to make sure that your information is relevant and accurate, and also that you aren't trashing your company when doing it.

YouTubers don't make as much as you think. First YouTube pays me only about $150 per month. I make money off people using my Amazon links and buying merch and promoting. It also took over a a year before I started making money from it.

I spend money on the editing software, music, SEO software, b roll sites and more. Also my camera was $1200. Mic was $300. Gaming laptop ... Lights. That is covered by the $150 per month I get directly from YouTube.

Plus, it takes a ridiculous amount of time to make videos. If you don't click bait or want to produce a quality video it takes a lot of time. New drivers are usually exhausted and need sleep. Plus you aren't making $$$ for the time you spend doing it.

Bruce mentioned my books. I wrote and published the books before I got into trucking. And trust me, they make nothing. The first year I made like $500 going to book signings but most people want cheap ebooks. And people don't read books as much as before. I spent $400 for an editor for the last book. It was worth it because the book is great. But annually, it's $100 tops. You have to keep promoting and been on social media constantly.

Maybe when I'm dead someone will notice my Zodiac Lives novel and make a Netflix movie. 😁

Yea, it's a pain but as I'm hourly it's not the end of the world.

Even getting paid to sit I'd still feel better accomplishing something if I could go off duty/sleeper and then push a bit more work later in the day.

For instance right now I'm sitting waiting to pick up a preloaded tanker. It's not loaded yet, I could be on sleeper then push further North and only need 7 or 8 hours tonight before I can start tomorrow to drop the relay. As it stands I'll sit here(paid but unproductive feeling) and losing off my 14h and still needing 10h off tonight

Sadly corporate won't let us split

I have my Garmin GPS connected to my phone for real-time traffic updates. If it tells me that there is a significant traffic delay ahead, I will pull off at the next rest area or exit off-ramp to verify with Google maps. And also get on the CB to get more details from the trucks coming the other way. So, in the immediate circumstance, I'm off-duty while I'm figuring out the reality of the traffic situation rather than sitting in the traffic on the drive line. If it is a short delay, I'll stay there while off-duty and let the traffic clear or find a detour to get around it.

If it appears that the traffic delay will be long, let's say more than 2 hours, then I can sit there for the 2 hours, which will pause my clock with the 8/2 split.

Another strategy involves rather than driving through a major city during rush hour, use the 2-hour 8/2 split to pause your clock and wait to drive through that city after rush hour.

Schneider? It's one of them things where they probably don't want to deal with the violations that occasionally arise from the splits not being used properly. Rather than using the labor hours to better train drivers in using the split, it's cheaper and easier to not allow it, by policy.

Sadly corporate won't let us split

I have my Garmin GPS connected to my phone for real-time traffic updates. If it tells me that there is a significant traffic delay ahead, I will pull off at the next rest area or exit off-ramp to verify with Google maps. And also get on the CB to get more details from the trucks coming the other way. So, in the immediate circumstance, I'm off-duty while I'm figuring out the reality of the traffic situation rather than sitting in the traffic on the drive line. If it is a short delay, I'll stay there while off-duty and let the traffic clear or find a detour to get around it.

If it appears that the traffic delay will be long, let's say more than 2 hours, then I can sit there for the 2 hours, which will pause my clock with the 8/2 split.

Another strategy involves rather than driving through a major city during rush hour, use the 2-hour 8/2 split to pause your clock and wait to drive through that city after rush hour.

Given going over HOS is bad and planning ahead you tend to find 2+ hour gaps in truck stops, especially in mountainous or urban areas do you guys find you often end up leaving an hour or more unused to account for traffic and accidents and generally screwiness?

I know I could use the additional time provision if there is an accident that really delays traffic but how do you even do that? Figure out where you were delayed then google "wreck on I-81 SB at 1400 on XX/YY day?"

It'd be kind of nice if you could "borrow" an hour or two one day and just"pay it back" the next without it having to be an actual accident or freak snow storm or something.

Just a question and some musings about HOS

I guess if you actually pushed someone else's clean urine into your bladder it might push the metabolites down below whatever the cutoff levels are for a positive.

Would probably depend how dirty you were and how much of your own urine you produced between getting it in there and giving the sample.

Aside from using really old urine, if it was fresh from clean guy to you I didn't know how they'd detect that. It'd be at the right temp and whatnot 🤮

I have heard about these methods, but frankly, can't see any scenario how any could possibly be effective in today's methods of collection. .

I assume it's to cut down on people trying to trick the tests. Either a bag of pee or the super hardcore catheter and shoot clean pee in your bladder

I never understood the reasoning behind not telling a driver they are having a random drug test done when they return to a terminal. If a driver has used illegal substances, it isn't possible to hide it. Our company always called us to tell us "you have to go get a random drug screen done when you get back." "Okay, will do." Then we go get it done.

With advance notice, the person who is dirty will resort to a whole host of methods to try to beat it.

I assume it's to cut down on people trying to trick the tests. Either a bag of pee or the super hardcore catheter and shoot clean pee in your bladder

I never understood the reasoning behind not telling a driver they are having a random drug test done when they return to a terminal. If a driver has used illegal substances, it isn't possible to hide it. Our company always called us to tell us "you have to go get a random drug screen done when you get back." "Okay, will do." Then we go get it done.

Aren't 90% or so of accidents caused by non-commercial drivers and vehicles according to recent NHSTA data?

If anything I'd fine the living hell out of anyone who causes an accident due to texting or something in their control - take the average traffic flow for that time of day and year and fine them like $25 per man hour for whatever the amount they backed up traffic and wasted everyone's time. Exempt people who had a mechanical failure due to manufacturer or previous mechanic etc. Someone has to rein in people driving distracted and inattentive. If a few have to be crushed financially or even imprisoned, so be it.

About a law to make any vehicle pulling a trailer enter a scale? The amount of improperly loaded, over loaded, over weight, improperly hooked, improperly maintained trailers on the road is shocking. They should have to scale and pass inspections just like us imo.

Same for rental trucks, you take someone who has never driven anything larger than a Honda Civic and hand them keys to a 26 foot box truck and tell them "good luck".

Even with handsfree it wouldn't be safe and I sure as hell don't know about legality but how would you log it if you did something like telephone tech support while you actually drove? Or phone sex or sexy video chat? You'd be on your drive line for the driving but also charging by the minute or whatever too 🤔

Pretty sure any company driver would also run afoul of company rules but could an O/O with all his own equipment and running his own loads do it?

Yes, you have to log other moneymaking activities as on duty not driving. So that would only leave passive income streams as an option.

I can't think of anything you could do that wouldn't cut into your 70 hours though. Don't you have to log any other job as on duty time?

I'm looking for ideas or suggestions for things I can do while driving out on the road to make a second income like can you be a salesman or something of that nature

I can't think of anything you could do that wouldn't cut into your 70 hours though. Don't you have to log any other job as on duty time?

I'm looking for ideas or suggestions for things I can do while driving out on the road to make a second income like can you be a salesman or something of that nature

Mine merely aren't present. The front brake assist works, it'll toss the Jake on low but not the actual brakes afaict. I'm just missing the sensor or some chip that says cars are beside me and whatever it js that will show you the last speed limit sign it detected.

Just so you know, tampering with the safety devices on the truck is a termination offence with many carriers.

Travis, lol don't miss that side sensor or front 1 if it's inop !.....Those side warning sensors act stupid, pick up faded or blasted white lines, that have been redone. Or they pick up the shiny tar they pour over cracks in the asphalt. Real PITA, the front radar sensor, well, my experience, they too are goofy a LOT ! I put a piece of aluminum behind the cover blocking the radar. Problem solved, only thing was the dash warnings pop up every restart, hit delete they're gone til I restart the truck later.

No more applying the brakes, with NOTHING in front of em close enough to even bother. Sure, I shouldn't have blocked it off, BUT, I wasn't driving like an idiot, tailgating or any dumb stuff. Scary, when a car is in the exit ramp, and my truck picks up their brake lights from an angle and mostly tried to stop my truck, not just slow it down. Was not fun when that crap would happen for no reason.....I made sure, I removed that aluminum piece when I retired and turned in my truck

Some turns in Jersey...turn left, stay left, exit left, now exit right. Miss one and you're amongst houses

There's a solid reason why the questions are worded trickily at times. The actual state CDL tests are done this way also. Truck drivers must pay really good attention to signs while driving. WE DON'T BLINDLY FOLLOW THE GPS. You can get yourself in some real trouble out here by not paying close attention to signs.

Don't You Dare Miss That Sign

Worried work wife would find out about home wife ? 🤣

Oh ...I just realized it said EXCEPT

Oh my goodness

Case closed mystery solved

Je ne comprende pas...quelle article?

Awesome and interesting article. Great things you’ve always shared with us. Thanks. Just continue composing this kind of post.

Not complaining at all btw, just chiming in about how shortages have had an effect that I've noticed

I got a 2022 with 67k miles and while it's nice it is missing the "side guard assist" and the "drive assist." I assume due to chip or circuit board shortages.

Even has a big sign on the dash "side guard assist is disabled on this vehicle"

Welcome to trucking. I laughed out loud at the "refuse to pay" line. I would request mileage pay and or layover pay for running back and forth between terminals though. Get rid of any expectations you have right now. Go with the flow.

Get past the entitled "they had brand new cascadia" sitting there. A new driver is more likely to be placed in a truck that has some miles on it so when they wreck it.... And probably will do some damage their first year... It isn't as big of a loss. Often new trucks are saved for experienced drivers as sort of a reward. My company allows a million Mile safe driver to order their truck...so what makes you think I should give up my rewarded truck for a new driver who wants to give up before he even turns a key by himself?

"I know there is a truck shortage". Dude you have no idea had bad the shortage is right now. I know for a fact that I wouldn't be able to get a brand new truck right now... And honestly wouldn't want one cause many "covid" trucks are junk. My company just had 200 people waiting for trucks because a shipment of expected trucks didn't come in.

I already know where this is going... So be forewarned.... It may need work. It may need to be cleaned. Prime puts ours through a detail shop and even then we often still have to shop it. This is trucking. It's no problem for them to route you back home for your stuff. This happens all the time.

Good luck and keep an open mind. You signed a contract. Even if they terminate you, you are still responsible for that $7,000. Read the contract.

I got a 2022 with 67k miles and while it's nice it is missing the "side guard assist" and the "drive assist." I assume due to chip or circuit board shortages.

Even has a big sign on the dash "side guard assist is disabled on this vehicle"

Welcome to trucking. I laughed out loud at the "refuse to pay" line. I would request mileage pay and or layover pay for running back and forth between terminals though. Get rid of any expectations you have right now. Go with the flow.

Get past the entitled "they had brand new cascadia" sitting there. A new driver is more likely to be placed in a truck that has some miles on it so when they wreck it.... And probably will do some damage their first year... It isn't as big of a loss. Often new trucks are saved for experienced drivers as sort of a reward. My company allows a million Mile safe driver to order their truck...so what makes you think I should give up my rewarded truck for a new driver who wants to give up before he even turns a key by himself?

"I know there is a truck shortage". Dude you have no idea had bad the shortage is right now. I know for a fact that I wouldn't be able to get a brand new truck right now... And honestly wouldn't want one cause many "covid" trucks are junk. My company just had 200 people waiting for trucks because a shipment of expected trucks didn't come in.

I already know where this is going... So be forewarned.... It may need work. It may need to be cleaned. Prime puts ours through a detail shop and even then we often still have to shop it. This is trucking. It's no problem for them to route you back home for your stuff. This happens all the time.

Good luck and keep an open mind. You signed a contract. Even if they terminate you, you are still responsible for that $7,000. Read the contract.

Yea, I didn't even think about the option of them just routing him back up there to pick up whatever wouldn't fit in however much luggage they authorize.

"If for some reason things continue to not work out I'm going to request that my contract be rendered null and void due to the fact that Roehl is not enabling me to fulfill the terms of said contract and I will refuse to pay $7,000 for my GYCDL debt obligation."

Yeah, good luck with that. Go ahead and "refuse to pay your $7,000 obligation. Roehl will then refuse to give you your CDL school certificate, and good luck getting a job anywhere else without it. CDL or not, you have no experience and very unlikely that companies are going to hire you without that school/cdl training certificate. As Packrat stated, go to Dallas and get your truck. Roehl will no doubt route you back to get your other possession's.

Mais oui!

The Canadian interview will be in French. Hope you studied.

I'm picturing you with a knot on your head and your backside burning up on reentry 🤣

Recently, I had something from the overhead compartment fall on my head while going over very rough road. I hate to hurt my head because I don’t like to damage something that has never been used. So, I fixed that issue. Yesterday, I learned another lesson. I was on I40 and I hit one of the most vioLent dips in the road I’ve ever encountered. Almost burned up on re-entry.

Suddenly, my windshield wipers go into hyper-mode (no rain), and I can not turn them off. Also notice my entire electrical system is out, engine is shut down and no power steering. I get the truck wrestled to the shoulder, get out and put my safety triangles out. At this point I’m sure I’m going to have to call in for road service or a tow. Then I have to figure out how to stop the wipers. Ahh! Battery disconnect switch, right? So, I turn the switch beneath the drivers seat and the wipers stop. Then I employ my Sherlock Holmes powers, and I notice that the switch had already been partially turned off, enough to cut electrical power. Well, I keep a 28 oz. Claw hammer down there next to where the switch is. The hammer had bounced against the switch and turned it. Reset the switch and everything was good again. Repositioned the hammer so this will not happen again. Learned something new and different, so I thought I’d share my latest Twilight Zone experience, lol.

Have you asked your boss if they'd be willing to pay additional luggage or at least reimburse multiple bags if you needed to check 3 or so bags? Probably still couldn't move a microwave or anything really large like a tv but it'd get your clothes and bedding and other smaller goods in

I recently completed all initial training with Roehl's GYCDL program and have been waiting over two weeks to be assigned a truck with a lot of mixed messages along the way about when and where I am going to actually pick up the truck from. I live an hour east of Roehl's terminal in Appleton, Wisconsin (which is where I did GYCDL) and was informed by my management a week ago that I was to return to Appleton at the beginning of this week to pick up my new truck. That day I was informed that I was not going to be picking up my truck in Appleton but rather at their Marshfield, Wisconsin terminal the next day. So I drive two and a half hours to get to Marshfield the next day and as soon as I arrive I get a phone call from management telling me that I am now going to need to fly to Dallas to pick up a new truck from their Dallas terminal. Mind you that they had about a dozen new Freightliner Cascadias prepped and ready at Marshfield but apparently none of those were for me.

Now I'm just sitting waiting on more information about some potential flight to Dallas. A big problem is that I have all my stuff ready to transfer into my new truck in my personal vehicle and I can take very little of it on a flight. So I'll have to be routed back to Wisconsin to get all my stuff and I don't know how long that will take.

If for some reason things continue to not work out I'm going to request that my contract be rendered null and void due to the fact that Roehl is not enabling me to fulfill the terms of said contract and I will refuse to pay $7,000 for my GYCDL debt obligation. I understand that there is a truck shortage but honestly I've been led to believe so many things over the past week that I'm very distraught that the company simply cannot get their things together and keep feeding me bad information.

So I have a CDL-A and experience of basic company training, what are the best options for OTR in the event that I need to look at another company to work with?