Profile For Old School

How can you move to another country while on parole?

You don't even know the meaning of greed until you start paying taxes in the EU!

Good grief man, you really need to think this thing through a little better. We whipped the red coats once before for trying to lord themselves over us. Do you remember the phrase taxation without representation? Do you really want to go back to that type of overlording relationship with your government?

BK just reminded me of a habit of mine. I typically stop every two and a half hours for a brief walk. Once again, this aids circulation.

C'mon Maxwell! Your story is falling apart.

You didn't want legal advice, even though you desperately need it. You also need some Dad advice, kind of like the stuff I was raised on. In other words you need a kick in the butt!

First you tell us this...

I made the decision to pass a passenger truck that had brake checked me multiple times on my motorcycle, almost causing me to rear end him repeatedly.

Our people try to talk to you about following distances and you say this...

I wasn't tailgating him by any means, it was a 30 mph road that was pulling into a town so I was close but not 'close' if you get what I'm saying, like there is no way he couldn't see the headlight of my bike as I was riding behind him.

Even you can understand that makes no sense. If you are safely far enough behind them on a thirty mile an hour road, then I don't know how they could be brake checking you. Typically people don't brake check for grins. They usually feel threatened or pushed. Were you weaving out into the other lane to get a view of what was ahead? Was there anything you might have been doing to contribute to the driver of the truck feeling you were acting in an unusual manner? All we are asking is for you to be honest. We certainly can't ask the other driver. You obviously wanted to get around this guy, could that have started before you were brake checked, and it escalated to this point due to something you may have done? It sounds like it to us. How else would you have been brake checked multiple times? You were being provocative in some manner, but you are glad to keep that information to yourself.

This whole idea of you trying to vindicate your actions, and not deserving a ticket is not going to go over well with a judge. You did some stupid stuff. You didn't just encounter a cop "with a chip on his shoulder." You are the one with the chip on his shoulder, and you are expecting a judge to hear you out. It won't happen. They will almost always side with the enforcement officer.

You said a lot of self incriminating things in here. I highly suggest you avoid that mistake in front of the judge. I have chosen to ignore most of your comments, but I will quote one of your statements...

doing the right thing pays off right......?

I really don't understand you. There is a foolishness about the way you say things that belies your youth and naivety. Okay, I am an old fart, I know that, but you amaze me with your statements. You make yourself out to be a martyr when you are obviously in the wrong. That is what we call entitlement behavior. What ever happened to a little humility and responsibility? You claim you could have escaped all this by running away from the cop on your bike, yet you didn't, so they should be merciful to you. That is hogwash!

Please, try to spend the next three years growing up. We have enough bad drivers in trucks right now. Maybe some consequences will help you realize how important your actions are. The ways in which you conduct yourself in life, and on the road, have consequences. Some can be very helpful and beneficial. This kind of thing you are going through now will teach you if you allow it. Try to learn from this. Doing the right thing does pay off, you just don't understand the payments.

I don't know what is specifically causing your pain, but I can make a couple of suggestions. The first is to remove your wallet while driving. This simple step helps a lot of drivers who are experiencing back and butt pain while driving. Another issue is the way you have your seat adjusted. Try driving with the seat bottomed out. I drive with no air elevating my seat. I find the air ride cab gives me plenty of shock protection, and having the seat in that lowest position relieves any pain I may be experiencing because it allows my blood to circulate much better.

Bill, I'm hoping you learned something here. Most of the important things in life, I learned the hard way.

Everything Davy said was right. You are not a 1099 contractor when the company you’re contracted to owns the assets by which you are producing revenue. You'd have to own the truck and be paying all the fuel and expenses to provide your services. You fell for the scam. Don't beat yourself up - you're far from the only person getting cheated this way. This is far too common in trucking. Move on and don't make that mistake again.

Davy says...

Working as an independent contractor is not inherently bad

I agree with him, but with a caveat. Unless you are an O/O, I've yet to see it work well in trucking. The contractor is purposely trying to avoid payroll expenses that add up significantly. It's almost always a rigged system in trucking. I've heard countless tales just like yours over the years.

You'll always be ahead getting a paycheck that has payroll deductions which are duly reported and paid to the IRS properly.

That's really cool guys!

I'm glad to see you got to meet up.

Hey Brogan D, you've been asking some great questions. I like seeing a newbie in here with some ambition. Allow me to give a little word of caution: Be careful about your expectations.

You're coming into this as the "new guy." Don't expect a red carpet welcome from anyone. I enjoy a lot of perks and preferential treatment from my employer. It wasn't always that way. In the beginning I was glad for anyone to hire me, and I didn't really care about how the truck was set up.

My one focus was proving to myself, and to my employer, that I had what it takes to be a professional operator in a very competitive market. That took some time - more than most people think it should.

The reason I'm stressing this to you is because it sounds like you are really gung-ho, and are looking forward to your new career. That's great! I applaud you! You've been taking all the right steps, and are trying to check all the boxes.

It's really good coming in with all your endorsements and you even went to the trouble of getting your TWIC card. Nice!

It's one thing to have endorsements, but it's an entirely different reality to know how to handle a hazmat load or a liquid tanker. All I'm saying is you don't have to make sure your employer has everything you think you need to get started.

I honestly think you could put two dozen trucking company names on the wall and throw a dart at them. Then go with the one you hit with the dart. My reasoning is that all the things that seem important to you now will probably change as you develop into a competent driver. The learning curve is going to discourage you more often than not.

When i started out, none of the companies I wanted to work for would hire me. I was sorely disappointed. I settled in with a company that the internet trucker wannabes labeled as a terrible bottom dweller that treated it's drivers like slaves.

Almost everything I had read or learned on the internet about getting started in trucking was worthless. None of it prepared me for the total shock of becoming a truck driver. Getting my CDL and all my endorsements was child's play. The career was some harsh reality.

That harsh reality had nothing to do with my employer. Trucking is just trucking. It's similar no matter who puts their name on the door. When you're new, you're going to be challenged daily with just accomplishing the basic job functions. It was exhausting at times.

I'm not really trying to frighten you or correct you in any way. I just want to prepare you for the things that cause a huge percentage of people who eagerly jump into trucking and then run home beat down and frustrated by their failures.

They don't fail because they didn't have an APU, or couldn't check off all the things they thought were important. They get blindsided by the incredible weight of responsibility. They thought this was supposed to be different. They were unprepared for the reality.

Hang in there brother - I like what you're doing. Just don't get sidetracked. Would it surprise you to know I've never had an APU or EPU? Only recently have I enjoyed an inverter and a built in refrigerator. I used a ice cooler for years.

Now, to answer your questions...

Most OTR jobs should fit what you want. Most allow you to take the truck home, and most allow you to tell them where and when you want your home time. You just have to learn their system of how to make such requests. Very few OTR jobs involve slip-seating. Almost everyone will let you stay out and run all the miles you want, and most companies are providing some nice creature comforts.

I work for Knight, and I take home time in several different states. It's no problem. I don't go to Canada, and I wouldn't make that a priority as a rookie. You can always add that later. You'll have your hands full in the lower 48. Be prepared to run the North East at times. That's where most of the freight comes and goes.

Hello Mark!

Your age is not hindering you. If you can pass a D.O.T. physical, you can start a trucking career. Trucking is famously known for being non biased when it comes to discrimination. Age discrimination is unheard of, unless you are just too young.

The day I got hired for my first trucking job, I was 53. In my orientation class was a man who was 72! Since then I've met several drivers in their 80's!

Check out this conversation from a couple years ago...

Trucking, For The Long Haul

I'm hoping you find some encouragement there. Tell us what's going on. We can give you some guidance.

It's been a minute since I drove for Western Express, so I'm not sure about current policy. When I was there, they did have a three month waiting period for new drivers.

It's a reasonable policy. That first three months can be brutal. It's trial by fire. New drivers usually have no concept about the realities of this career. It's not a good time to throw in another distraction like a spouse.

I love Turtle's comments. Now is the time when it gets real. Be cautious and very careful. Your performance counts!