Comments By Chris M

That tag axle also steers lol. I've seen that truck once before as well. You would definitely have to be on top of your game in your trip planning cause that thing can't go everywhere!

I've done all three personally. I prefer flatbed, over dry van, over reefer. But that's just personal opinion.

Reefer: Longer average haul, more time waiting at customer, less drop and hook. You have a lot more nighttime appointments, so that lends you to driving at night more often.

Dry van: Lower average haul, more drop and hook, on average broader pickup and delivery windows.

Flatbed: Closer to dry van in terms of average length of haul. Lower drop and hook percentage, more daytime/Monday-Friday appointments. More opportunity for accessory pay.

Exact same thing at the Gary terminal right now. They're apparently making a push to update all of the older terminals which is nice. Can't wait to see the new look

You can chock the wheels but if the brakes aren't holding you need to get it in the shop so they can be adjusted

Man in my opinion that load should be illegal. That's a flatbed load all day long.

Be extra careful on turns because that load will be top heavy and those straps are doing nothing to hold it upright.

Also, if you're in mt Vernon going to Huntsville, you're not going through Chattanooga.

The Swift terminals do have free showers and free laundry. However, the showers leave a lot to be desired. I use them as a last resort. They are also in the process of upgrading the drivers lounges in the older terminals.

As far as the silver and gold awards, I'm assuming you're talking about the quarterly bonus program. It is paid on the first pay period after the quarter ends. It's really simple honestly. As long as you don't hit anything, and you make your appointments on time, you'll be fine. If you're not going to make an appointment, and it's for a legitimate reason, if you send a Mac 22 notifying the company, you'll be covered. I'm platinum level and I don't have to do anything out of the ordinary to maintain that. It's as simple as just doing your job, honestly.

I will say though, some of the dedicated accounts are not eligible for the bonus program. There are way way more accounts than I can name, so I can't tell you which ones are not eligible, but I know there are some.

Did you actually go to the instructor after the drug test and ask if it was ok to leave for the dentist? Sounds to me like you left before they were finished. Just because you thought they were done doesn't mean that they were.

And yeah I've seen trailers on our yards that have a tire with a groove cut in it all the way around where a driver pulled away before the air bags inflated and had a winch grinding into the tire

I have never set my trailer brakes when parking. Our trailer air bags deflate when the brakes are set, and some of our trailers drop enough to jam winches into the tires.

Because Rick mentioned it twice: I don’t know the state of everyone’s equipment, but I do not lose enough air on a break or even on a 34 for my brakes to pop. If they do, I’m out looking for an air leak.

Same here. If I ever lose enough air for the brakes to pop while I'm parked at night, then there's an air leak somewhere. Its been probably two months since the last time I had that happen.

Also, my truck has spring brakes on all 4 drive sets. I haven't driven a truck that only has 1 spring brake. I can't see how that wouldn't be considered a safety issue.

I never pull the trailer brake when I park. And I'm not a "super trucker" to use your words.

Exactly how do you think the tractor brakes would all fail at the same time, causing the truck to "careen down the hill in to a home filled with widows and orphans"? When your brakes are set, it is a mechanical brake. You would need each of the 4 springs (1 on each set of wheels) to break, before the truck would start rolling.

Also, did you know that in wintertime, truck drivers are encouraged to not set the trailer brakes, due to the brakes freezing? Why would it be OK in the snow and ice, but not OK at other times?