Comments By Trucktographer

Trucktographer- I seem to recall you had a higher paying job running loads (maybe dept of defense), with a special clearance. Just wondering how that's going? Wondering if it is real good pay with consistent work?

Really don't want to hijack this thread.

Yep, still with that company Secured Land Transport (SLT). Right now they have me running around solo doing broker loads while my co-driver is having some medical issues.

But yeah, normally I run 90% DoD loads with the rest civilian HAZMAT.

Driving I-80 across WY today I saw several trucks off the road. One had literally just happened before I created a hill. The drivers were just crawling out of the cab...it was on its side so they probably had a great view of the Continental Divide.

My co-driver recently came down with some medical issues, and so while he's taking care of that I'm going solo. Luckily our company has been good about both getting him home, and me back on the road. This company pretty much hauls team loads exclusively. DoD loads require two drivers at all times (so someone is always able to be with the truck).

I haven't had to think about stuff like conserving hours and finding a place to stop for the night in forever, since we are constantly moving.

First few trips I'm having to cram 1800 miles of driving into 61 hours for final delivery. Good times.

I like Jerry Ott.

If after getting your HAZMAT endorsement you then go apply for a TWIC card, you can get a discount on the cost of your TWIC card.

Cramping in the feet can often be a sign of slight dehydration. Try upping your water intake.

Fun fact: after getting your HAZMAT endorsement, if you then apply for a TWIC card you get a discount.

I got my HAZMAT endorsement about a week and a half after applying. Didn't use it while with Swift, but my new company is almost exclusively HAZMAT. The test is only the beginning. Keep studying the rules/regulations. So many things to remember.

Back when I drove for Swift I would occasionally have loads with no paper BoL. This particular company did everything digitally with Swift. So I would write up my own BoL (using the appropriate info) to have on the truck just in case DoT ever felt the need to stop me. Cover yourself at all times.

Thanks for the vote of confidence Errol. We aren't planning to get our own rig for a while. We want to learn as much as possible about this company, and running an efficient rig, before taking on all that responsibility. We picked up a snazzy tablet Rand McNally and are using it to help track our fuel efficiency over the next year or so.

As company drivers we are paid a flat rate, 1200.00 a week (after taxes), with a small cpm as a mileage bonus which should average out to 1500.00 each week (after taxes). A perfectly respectable wage for running stuff not everyone wants to deal with.