Posted: 9 years, 3 months ago
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Frustrated isn't the word for this new truck driver!!!!
Are you going to get breakdown pay? Did your DM say anything about getting you in a different truck?
Yeah that only bad part is I don't think the breakdown pay kicks in until you've been down 24hrs
Hmm...since they sent you to pick up a truck the mechanic had told them wasn't right in the first place, seems like they could spring for breakdown pay from the git-go. Especially since you paid cab fare. But maybe they'll recognize your good attitude and reward you. Good luck!
Yeah man this cold weather isn't making it any better. The shop is closed all next week so that doesn't give me a lot to work with.
Posted: 9 years, 3 months ago
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Frustrated isn't the word for this new truck driver!!!!
Are you going to get breakdown pay? Did your DM say anything about getting you in a different truck?
Yeah that only bad part is I don't think the breakdown pay kicks in until you've been down 24hrs
Posted: 9 years, 3 months ago
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Frustrated isn't the word for this new truck driver!!!!
Well they all warned us there will be days like this, but instead of whining and complaining you seem to be taking the high road for real! I have to say that is some big test they are giving you on your solo run. Hopefully you are rewarded down the road for this adventure. I am sure the check mark will look good to your DM. Stay warm and positive and just consider it a little test. Also joke with your DM that you deserve a New Truck for this.
Yeah I agree with this just keep your head up and show them u can understand and that its not your FMs fault and trust me u should get breakdown pay and if u keep the receipt from the cab they will pay you back for it and they should put you in a motel till the truck is fixed..... Who are you working for
They just put me in a motel. I work for Knight Transportation. Thanks for the encouragement guys.
Posted: 9 years, 3 months ago
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Frustrated isn't the word for this new truck driver!!!!
My first mission as a solo driver was to go by Greyhound from Birmingham, AL to Chicago, Illinois then catch a cab 50 miles away to Joliet to our yard to recover a truck then head to Indy, then my home terminal in Atlanta to get my own truck. Monday afternoon I left on the bus headed to Chicago. I got to Chicago Tuesday at 2:30pm, my FM gave me $100 for cab fare, it ended up being $160.00 so I spent $60.00 of my own. I get to the yard to grab the truck and look for the trailer on the yard that I'm suppose to be getting and its not there.
Night dispatch tells me there's nothing they can do so wait until the am, alright fine but its 20 degrees outside and the truck won't idle. It keeps cutting off and the heat won't get hot and the bunker heat is broken completely. Have yall ever had to sleep in 20 degree weather? My toes were literally numb but I survived. I look around the truck for paper logs because now the Qualcomm is broken, guess what? There's no paper logs! My FM tells me to go buy some smh.
I try to leave the yard and get out of the gate but guess what I have no badge because when I tested out at the Memphis terminal he told me my home terminal would give me a badge so I had to wait 30 min for someone else to leave and I followed him out of the gate. Alright no harm no foul, I begin to head towards the interstate and I see a pick up truck speeding from behind I pay him no mind so I get on the interstate and notice I can't accelerate past 30mph then all of a sudden the truck shuts down in the middle of the interstate.
I wiggle to the shoulder and the guy from the pick up truck get's over with me and says I'm the mechanic from the yard where are you trying to go in that truck because it won't be far its a piece of crap! I said I was told to come recover it. He said this truck hasn't run right since October and when I saw you I knew you would be on the side of the road soon. He said there's nothing he can do with it, so I called break down and they sent me to the International dealership which just so happened to be on the next exit.
I get to International and guess what they tell me? They're backed up because of the holiday's so it'll be a few days. All I've done was lose money this week I haven't made a dime, and the mechanic from the yard told me he has let them know numerous times the truck was undriveable but I would be the one who was sent to go get it. A bad way to start my trucking career. Smh
Posted: 9 years, 3 months ago
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I'm leaving out of Birmingham tonight via Greyhound going to Chicago then catching a cab to Joliet to recover a truck which I have a feeling is going to be my own for a while. Question. My FM told me to catch a taxi from the bus station to Joliet which 41 miles away to my understanding and he said keep the receipt and he'll reimburse me. My question is why do I have to come out of pocket for that ride? Also I don't ride taxis requently so I have no idea what to expect as far as cab fare for traveling 40-50 miles. Seems expensive.
Try this...Cab Fare Calculator
Looks like close to a $100 fare.
Thanks that was an huge help
Posted: 9 years, 3 months ago
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I'm leaving out of Birmingham tonight via Greyhound going to Chicago then catching a cab to Joliet to recover a truck which I have a feeling is going to be my own for a while. Question. My FM told me to catch a taxi from the bus station to Joliet which 41 miles away to my understanding and he said keep the receipt and he'll reimburse me. My question is why do I have to come out of pocket for that ride? Also I don't ride taxis requently so I have no idea what to expect as far as cab fare for traveling 40-50 miles. Seems expensive.
Posted: 9 years, 3 months ago
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This may provide a little help. I have had the same problem driving military trucks.
https://www.thehealthytrucker.net/truck-drivers-back-pain/
Thanks it was very helpful
Posted: 9 years, 3 months ago
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I'm a good candidate for school, except for my credit score.
Lol. If they look at your credit score then there wouldn't be very many truckers!
Posted: 9 years, 3 months ago
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I'm 6'4 and I have always sat high in the chair. I also push the seat as far back as possible. Sometimes I catch myself leaning forward while driving, putting more pressure on the lower back. Try to make a conscious effort to stay back in the seat at all times. I also keep my chair back up as far as possible. Lots of drivers like to lean back but I prefer the support. Very important to find a comfortable driving position. Good luck
I finally figured out the problem! I lean forward a lot while driving instead of sitting back! You are exactly right!!!! That's what I'm doing! I will get that back brace also
Posted: 9 years, 3 months ago
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Frustrated isn't the word for this new truck driver!!!!
Y Yeah my DM sent me a text apologizing that I had to go through all of this. I guess he couldn't let no one hear him being soft!lol