Comments By Papa Bird

The one safety issue that I have not seen addressed much here is the HOS, and more specifically the 14hr clock. Personally to me it is this clock that creates more unsafe driving issues than any other, because once that clock is started it doesn't stop, even when you do. How many of us has driven when we really needed to stop for a break, because if we did we would run out of hrs, be shut down, and miss our delivery time, because we had to make x amount of miles today. Or ran out of hrs, and accomplished almost nothing. Prime example being I have driven all night and as the sun is coming up I have gotten sleepy, I should have pulled over and rested, taken a nap, got some coffee, stretched my legs, all because I know that once the sun is up, I will be fine, just that time before daylight is when my eyes are the heaviest. My delivery was at 1000 and I have 100 mls to go, its 0530 I have 3hrs on my 11 hr clock, but only 2 on my 14 hr. So I press on, because if I stop I won't make the delivery on time. Or I start my day at 0830, and make my first stop delivery at 0900, it takes them 2 hrs to unload it, and they required that I disconnect and bobtail to designated parking, they finish and I proceed to truck stop, because my second and final delivery is 15 mls away and at 1630. I get there on time and again that company requires a disconnect and separate parking, there I set until 2330 and then they want me off there lot, but I'm out of 14hrs and have only driven 30 mls. But had plenty of nap time. I have a D&H two hrs away, not tired at all, but still have to take 10 because of that 14hr clock. To me that 14 hr clock is the worst thing that they could have ever thought of, its useless in creating safer drivers, and hinders our abilitys to preform our jobs in a safe and efficient manner. Its the only clock that I have any real issues with, am I alone on this?

I have heard about some systems, and read up on one, it is a provider for company's, and involves the installation of multiple cameras, and audio capabilities. Only one camera is directed at the drivers seat, (just the driver seat area is viewable.) The others are set up to watch the forward area of the truck, and others are set to show views down sides, (and mirror views) As with the dash cams that lots of us own, and use now, they only record at times of events, (the one I own locks footage 12 sec. before and after an impact event.) These units will probably be set up to record more than just impact events, be they lane departures, hard breaking, etc. From what I have learned, I think that anyone that has one of these systems installed in there truck has the added insurance that should an accident happen that they will be able to prove that they did all that they could to avoid it, (unless your like some of the 4 wheeler drivers, texting and driving, eating a bowl of soup, watching a movie on there portable DVD player, yea, seen all of that so far out here.) After that Tracy Morgan accident I would think that all of us would be looking for ways to improve our images with the media, and the general public, we know that everytime there's an accident involving a truck, people automatically assume that the trucker is at fault, it's sad that after all the training, and regulations that we are under, that we are considered guilty until we prove we are innocent, this tool will help us to do just that. As it becomes more common in the rigs (or outright required by the gov.) Then and only then will we see the views of society start changing, but if we have drivers out there that are unsafe behind the wheel, then having these systems will likely get them off the road, one way or the other.

Hope it doesn't go anywhere, and I will tell you why, hourly wages are great, and usually based on the time that you have put in, but as a previous business owner, I found out that when the cats away, the mice will play, expect for the ones that understand that there paycheck is actually based on company performance. When a company isn't making enough money, someone gets canned, and it's not the guys at the top of the pile, it's the ones with the least time in. When I employed people I tried the hourly thing (was a in home service company) and it ended up costing me customers, and money, then I instated a set rate pay, with no payment for returns to correct problems that should have been taken care of the first time, and guess what, my customers were happier, I made a little more profit, and the shocker was that my guys were actually taking more money home because they set there pace to get more done, the ones that didn't want to work were not bringing in enough, so they quit. So in my opinion, keep the cpm pay, I'm willing and able to work, and am sure that as my performance improves that I will get a raise (even a small raise is good, there are 100 pennies in every dollar I've ever had)

My two cents may only be worth that, but here are mine. A gun is a big no, even if you have a concealed carry doesn't mean it's valid in the state your in, stun gun, well some states are making it illegal to own or use, pepper spray, colder weather can be an enemy to there effective use. Personally, a cheap and effective weapon for defence, a wire coat hanger, hit someone with one of those folded and they will be wishing that they had thought twice about messing with you, plus it will mark them, it's easy to carry, (even concealed) and it's a light quick weapon, that would not be easily taken away. Also, big plus, legal in all states, it's a freaking coat hanger.

I spent the last 17 yrs as an Appliance Repair Technician, the last 10 of which I owned my own business. Just got tired of fixing people's stuff, only to be told (1) sorry, i don't have the money today, can you take a check (which will bounce like a golf ball, and i will never pay unless i need you again.) Or (2) Do you really need to charge me that much, your in business so you can afford to cut me a break. Funny thing though while i was home this past weekend someone came to my house and informed me that my shop phone wasn't working, they had gotten the message that it was disconnected, I told them that I was driving truck now, because i wasn't making a living on the repair business anymore, and they tell me that I was selfish "Your the best we ever had around here, you were fair, and honest, so now what are we suppose to do?"

When I was at school they required that we test for General Knowledge, Combination, Air Brake, Doubles- Triples, and Tanker, and they knew that the Tanker was going to be require no matter what we were driving, if your hauling drums, or bottled soda, got to have that endorsement. so be sure to add it to your studies if your in school

You may also want to check with local companies, i had a pre hire from larger companies before starting school and was prepared to go that route, the school knew of a local company and set me up with an interview. The training was a little longer (8 wks) and pay during training a little lower, but I'm loving it, the office people know me by name, we run 26 states, and once your in your own truck, for me, the pay is decent, (more than i was going to get at the bigger company's by the second year.) One a side note, I get my truck monday, yes, made it the 8 weeks and survived.

Personally if you look at every hour that you work and don't get paid it will drive you crazy, and to think that truckers are the only ones that do it, well your wrong. Prior to trucking i owned my own business for over ten years, and worked lots of hours that i didn't make a single dime on. Truckers and business owners however are not the exception to the rule, think about this, the last time you sat down to eat, did you get great service or was it barely passable and what did you leave for your server. I see lots of servers that run there butts off, but have so many tables to cover that some people feel that they were ignored, and leave little or no tip, if you do that to them, guess what? Yea they were forced to do what your complaining about. People that are successful go that extra mile, they put forth that extra effort, and most times it goes unnoticed, and under appreciated. The best example at this moment that i can think of though is right here. I didn't pay a members fee on TT, did you, and i don't think any of the great guys, and gals, that spend countless hours answering the questions (sometimes repeatedly) so mabey , while your crying over your "free labors" you might want to be thankful that there are those out there like Brett, Old School, Danial, Red Gator, and many many others that don't think of what they are getting paid for the work that they are doing right here.

Ok rant over, you all have a great day, and stay safe.

I went to private training in Springfield Missouri, I went to Midwest Technical Institute. They have some financial assistance if you need it, and they have a few other options that are avaliable. I paid my own way because i didn't want to be tied to a bill over my head, it is four weeks. It cost me $3500. I was planning on going with one of the big companys after school, but they helped me to look at a few other options and i ended up signing on with a smaller local company where so far i believe i will be happy for quite a while into the future. Just saying you might want to look at them as an option. Good Luck.

For whatever reason I cant get going when I'm stopped on a hill and I always stall the truck and don't know how to fix this please help!

Thought I would throw in two cents, I had a similar problem, my trainer suggested thinner soles on my shoes so that i could feel the clutch better, it worked for me, possibly it would work for you.