Comments By Pelican

Thank you. I went ahead and drove it, was cautious, did ok. Got to where I needed to be. Thank you for the advice.

Pelican, with you being from Louisiana I assume that driving in the snow and ice is not something you have much experience with.

It’s actually a skill that must be learned gradually like becoming a good backer upper. The conditions depicted in your photos don’t look like they are un-drive-able, but would merit great caution. Are a lot of other trucks parked or still moving? That is a good initial observation to make. If you decide to move on, then slow and easy is the way to go. Don’t impede traffic, but hang with the slower trucks. It takes time to get a feel for your truck in those conditions. Throw any set idea of how many miles you want to drive in those conditions out the window. Be happy with whatever progress you can safely make.

Is this your first winter? If so, be conservative as you gain the experience necessary to judge the conditions and your own abilities and limits. Remember that dispatch and your FM are in a warm office and cannot tell you what you can do in winter conditions. Heck, no one here can look at your photos and tell you what to do. Just don’t exceed your comfort zone and in time that zone will expand. Pay particular attention to drivers you see who are being very cautious and ignore the snow and ice racing crazy ones.

Good luck and safe travels this winter to you and all of us.

Buffalo, Wyoming. Same thing. I've been stopped for a day, but I don't want to hold up this load any longer. But I'm quite nervous about driving in this weather. I'm conflicted. Pelican

There are some components that absolutely want you to be able to drive a manual. But it seems like the industry has really moved towards autos.

Pelican

Man I'm a total rook so take what I say with some salt but I'd think with 22 months verified experience you shouldn't have an issue finding work. If you apply elsewhere maybe explain what happened if they question it.

Pelican

Let's say I were to park somewhere I shouldn't have and got a warning or Citation out of it.

1. Would I need to report this to my employer? Any other organization? 2. Would this go on my MVR? 3. Do companies look at drivers with parking tickets with suspicion?

To be clear, this is a hypothetical. I was curious about this, however.

Thank you all for your replies on my last thread about backing with the tandems slid back. They were very helpful and greatly appreciated.

Pelican

Hello,

Our company policy is to always slide our tandems to the back when we get onto the dock. No issue there.

My question is, when you are actually backing in, are your tandems forward or all the way back. It seems like having them slid back might make it easier to back up, but I'm not sure.

For what it's worth, my trainer always had me back in normally, then open my doors and slide my tandems back after I was already in line for the door.

Pelican

Well that can't be good.

FWIW, the service stations on the I-80 toll road are my cup of tea. Very nice places.

When in doubt, I'll try to find a rest area before a truck stop. I dunno why but I just find rest areas more serene. Well, some are.

We live in a world where people have been programmed to be offended by everything.

Man, this needs to be on a billboard or something it's so damn true

Just try to stay with your first company at least a year. It helps you get a feel for things over time and future employers are less likely to view you as a "job hopper."

And go ahead and fill out this form, it will have you apply for like ten different companies at once.

Apply For Truck Driving Jobs

"Is the school you are going to attend affiliated with any company?"

Thank you for your reply, BK!

No, it's not a company affiliated CDL program. It's a school offered through a local community college. It's a free program and in very high demand so I consider myself mighty lucky to have been accepted... Especially since I don't have to endure what I've been told amounts to endentured servitude once licensed.

Yes... as I understand it, the school will have recruiters available. I just want to ensure that I'm adequately prepared to ask the right questions and make smart decisions so I can become the best driver I can be. I was a boy scout in my youth so I have a deep ingrained need to be prepared. Thank you for the solid advice. I assure that I have no desire to purchase/ lease a truck at this time. Maybe after a few years once I've gained the necessary skills and experience. I want to be confident that I know the ins and outs of the industry, and accrue a sizeable savings before I take that plunge.

I suppose I'll just need to be more patient and see what all the school has to offer. I don't mean to put the cart before the horse. I'm just excited and I want to set myself up for success.

Thank you again for your input and your time. It's greatly appreciated!