Comments By C. S.

Hello Prosper! It's going to be a difficult task to become a truck driver in the U.S., but it can be done. First look into whether you qualify for a green card to become a lawful permanent resident. Look at this resource to determine if you are eligible: DHS Green Card Eligibility.

If you are not eligible to apply for a green card through family or refugee status, you'll have to try to get a green card through the diversity immigrant visa program, usually known as the "green card lottery". Learn more about this program here: Diversity Visa.

Once you obtain a green card, you can lawfully immigrate to the U.S. and begin working. However, many states (and almost all trucking companies) will require you to hold a regular Class C driver's license for one year before you can apply for a CDL. Unfortunately, your Zimbabwe license will not be valid here. You can try to find employment at a warehouse or other trucking-related business until you can get your CDL.

I appreciate the replies. Old School, maybe I didn't get the intention of it, but reading through that truth in trucking book that is posted here on this site, chapter 10, the section on DOT alluded me to thinking that that was the norm in the trucking industry. Basically that by running over, it's better for everyone. As was quoted "everyone wins when you cheat your log book". That may not be the exact wording, but it was the general idea.

Basically, reading through that chapter is part of what got me curious about this, and concerned, which is why I had to ask.

Been a while since I've read Brett's book, but as I recall that chapter is specifically referring to paper logs, which are much easier to "cheat" than e-logs. Brett has also stated numerous times that he didn't fudge his logs in order to run a ridiculous number of hours every week as some drivers did/do, but rather to make things more convenient for him and get the rest he needed.

Is fudging logs common in the industry? I'd say yes, overwhelmingly. But not in the way you might think. Technically, all time spent at a shipper/receiver is supposed to be logged as on-duty time unless you are completely relieved of duty (and most of the time you aren't). For a typical driver, actually following this rule would eat up your 70 in a record amount of time. I usually spend about 15-30 min. on duty at a customer, regardless of how long I'm there.

I've spent over 24 hours at a shipper before waiting for a live load, and was not allowed to leave. According to the FMCSA that 24 hours should have been logged as on-duty, which is beyond ridiculous. Any driver who claims they would have logged it as on-duty is either incredibly naive or a liar. I make money when I'm making miles, and not any other time. I'm not going to waste my clock not being paid.

For the record, I use e-logs and have never had an HOS violation. I don't relish the idea of sweating through every weigh station for a week straight because I drove five minutes over. Then again, I'm team so I have the luxury of just having my fiance take over when I'm out of hours. I can understand that solo drivers might be forced to drive over once in a while.

If that's for all the miles for the truck and you're driving team and driving 6000 a week, that doesn't seem bad at all. That's like $40K for the year. (I have no idea if the 6000 mile figure is accurate, someone mentioned it above).

That's definitely not an average for a rookie team. I just mentioned it because it's right around the top end of the miles most new teams would get in a week. My point was that even a "heavy" week like that would still gross half of what a lot of other team drivers make.

As Brett said, it's probably only for a few months. Still, I would have looked for a company with a better pay package. A few cpm may not make much of a difference, but 10? That's a difference of $10,000 over six months. What's done is done, though.

What you're describing honestly sounds like road hypnosis. Try not to become so "locked in" on the road. That is to say, it's good to be alert and aware of what's happening on the road, but there is such a thing as concentrating too hard, and it can actually hinder your awareness. Try to relax a bit, and give your eyes a chance to rest occasionally by looking at your gauges, the radio, or gps. You can also plan very small breaks (<5 minutes) every few hours and take a quick walk around the truck.

Legal? Certainly. Fair? That's debatable, although I personally wouldn't be happy with that pay rate. I'm assuming at that rate you're team, which means you get paid for all miles. Even then, that's not even $800 gross on a 6k week. I make twice that, and while I'm experienced there are many companies that pay rookie teams much more than 13 cpm.

I don't know any companies that buy out contracts. If you're locked into the contract because of your schooling you may just have to suffer through it until you are released from any obligation. Many companies that have such contracts will prevent you from being employed elsewhere if you don't satisfy the agreement. Stick it out, then get a job elsewhere. And let it be a valuable lesson, always read a contract thoroughly.

Thanks, that is very helpful, not a lot of people on here are there? I was expecting more than one reply (not that yours wasn't helpful, because it was, i just like hearing multiple opinions lol)

There aren't too many female drivers who actively post on this forum. Myself, Sue D., Rainy, RedGator, and ChickieMonster come to mind but that's about it. Unfortunately there just aren't a ton of women in this industry.

Like how's "that time of the month work in a big rig?"

I get horrendous cramps the first day or so, all I can say is Aleve/Tylenol and a good audiobook to take your mind off things. Carry ziplock bags to dispose of tampon/pad when you're not near a restroom (husband's driving and you're passing through Nowhere, New Mexico).

best places to shower

Pilot/Flying J tend to have the best showers in my opinion, Love's are hit and miss and TA/Petro tend to be dated. Where you shower will really depend on who you fuel at the most, which varies by company and region.

do any of yall run teams with your significant other?

I drive team with my fiancé (soon to be husband). It's great, the best job either of us has ever had and has put us in a position where we will be buying our first house in cash next year at the ripe old age of 25. Team driving takes a lot of effort and sacrifice, but it is incredibly rewarding (both fiscally and emotionally) when you do it right.

My trainer wouldn't go out west because mountain miles are slower. You get worse miles per gallon and the mountains are a lot more dangerous then mostly flat land in the se where he stays. I agree with him. Faster miles means more loads and better fuel consumption on flat ground. I stay se regional

I disagree. Let's say you get a load headed from Chicago to Sacramento, so you'll run I-80 the whole way. That's a little over 2k miles and is a pretty nice run. Donner is the worst pass you'll encounter and is 99 miles long. Even if you average 25 mph on Donner (a sandbag estimate in my opinion), that's only four hours. There are a few other small passes, notably coming into Salt Lake and the hilly areas of Wyoming, but honestly it is not going to affect your speed to the point that it cuts into your weekly mileage at all.

Then again, I'm biased as I have family in California, Oregon and Montana so I like going out west. Me when I get a load to Portland or Sacramento:

I should have read ironmike's post more thoroughly as I just echoed what he said.

Thanks ironmike. The cb had the posts you're referring to, but was missing the three pin power plug. Found a three pin that connects to the 12V outlet on t he console. it works, but we have a wire hanging down from the cb to t he console now.

Your CB should have come with one, if it didn't you can buy one at any truck stop. No trucks that I no of come with a power cord as they come standard with the radio itself.