Comments By Indy

I applied for a position with a trucking company for a open position. The date the position was posted is from January but I thought what the heck. I get a call from a recruiter. She asks me a few questions about my resume and where I went to school. She then tells me this is a direct hire position and she would like to offer me he position and will email me the offer and a link to fill out a few more things. Once I complete that I will be sent for a drug test.

Of all the places I have applied I have yet to have a company offer that fast or move that fast with the hiring process. Is this normal? Kind of worries me some about the company. It is a decent size company with a union

I would be surprised if that is all there is to it. After you pass the drug test they will probably have you come back for a road test, at least... Then you'll have the job. That's how it was at the Indianapolis terminal where I interviewed awhile back.

I wouldn't let that 15% giveback bother you so much... You'd still make a lot more at YRC than as an entry level otr driver... And the health insurance is at no cost and pretty good I hear.

Normal as can be, Tyler. I think every new driver feels totally exhausted after their first driving sessions. Mine, in school, usually lasted about two hours and I felt completely worn, mentally after the first few. But, it gets better every day. Your confidence will grow quickly, it will become less stressful, and your stamina will increase. Stay out of trouble... Don't hit anything... You'll be fine.

When I met my trainer, the first thing he asked me was "are you suicidal?" I replied, "not at the moment." And he said, "okay, then I trust you. You'll be doing all the driving this week." Well, that first night after about 6 hours of stressful driving I felt like I had gotten to a point where it might not be safe for me to continue. I told my trainer and we switched seats. No big deal. He expected that to happen, actually. Went home, slept like a rock, went back the next day knowing better what to expect and it went much better.

You're young. You'll get used to quickly. Just be careful... Don't hit anything!

"My stepfather used to pay his drivers by the hour (local rock haulers) out of a quarry we owned and consequently had to spend quite a bit of time, running up and down the highway to make sure they weren't sitting parked somewhere when they shouldn't be."

Today's technology makes it possible for a dispatcher, from the comfort of his cubicle, to check if a driver is loafing...

...My loyalty is first to me and mine not to any company. ...

Well said!

This isn't "other than money" but, I am loyal to a company that treats me as though my time is valuable. If a driver is sitting for reasons out of his/her control my company or its customers compensates for that time. Had a flat tire a few weeks ago. Sat 3 hours waiting for replacement. Next paycheck had 3 hours extra pay for that time. Never had to say a word about it. That sort of thing fosters loyalty in me. Most of it boils down to being compensated fairly for the time and effort I give.

Would you go back to trucking weather it be otr/local??? If not why not??? I understand retiring but you gotta get the urge every now and then... Just would like to know if you would or wouldn't... Oh and let's add if you would who would you drive for???

I bet his answer will be ... "Yes, but only as an owner-operator."

"an owner operator?" ! maybe in the 70's NEVER today,

Yeah, it ain't what it used to be, but I can see how it might be attractive to some. It adds some dimensions to the "lifestyle."

Although Schneider has a tanker operation about 30 mins from me, and i thought I could see some of the country with them. Anyone have any thoughts about Schneider?

Schneider Bulk.... I've heard nothing but good things. Top notch training, great money, ... they take good care of their tanker drivers, I'm told.

Here are some deer driving tips I got from my company:

-Times of highest risk of deer collision is between dusk to dawn.

-At night, drive with high beams on whenever there is no oncoming traffic. The lights cause deer's eyes to glow, making them more visible. High beams also help you see farther, giving you more time to react if there is a deer on/near the road.

-Don't leave your lane of travel by swerving to avoid hitting a deer. This could result in loss of control and/or hitting another vehicle. Swerving is the reason for most deer related deaths and injuries.

-If a deer collision occurs or is imminent brake firmly and keep the steering wheel straight.

-They often move in groups, so if you see one deer be prepared for others that may be following.

In addition to hormones, hunting season and crop harvesting also cause deer to be on the move and behaving recklessly. Up here in Indiana and surrounding states, data suggests there is a 21% greater likelihood of being involved in a deer related crash this year than last.

Be safe!

Yeah, that's pretty much the way I'm looking at it. While right now I'm willing to walk away from anything that doesn't work for me, I still need medical benefits. Medicare doesn't kick in until 65. So while I could fool around a bit for a while, I'm eventually going to have to find something that works for a few years, maybe as much as 8. And as it looks, it won't be over the road.

If I were in your shoes (no wife, grown kids) I would want to give it a try... but that's just me... the OTR lifestyle is appealing to me. I would guess that most of the larger OTR carriers provide benefits comparable to "local" companies. They just don't pay as well for the hours you put in... but, if you run hard you might make up the difference.

From my research, contrary to what was said above, Prime would be a good company to start OTR with... they're one of the better paying "starter" companies. Crete is another one.

And, if you really want to go all in, and fully embrace the lifestyle, ... what about becoming an owner operator?