Comments By ATXJEHU

FWIW, I used to work for Roehl (dry van), but know one driver who started with Roehl in flatbed and, after a year or so, went to TMC, then back to Roehl after only a couple of months. I don't know the details other than that he preferred the way Roehl operates.

Also, you may want to check with Melton (used to require only 3 months experience) and Maverick (as long as you have a CDLA, they don't care whether you went to a school or not - also, as far as I know, they only run truck with automatic transmissions).

Good luck to ya!

When I was going through training, my trainer told me that a good place to set your tandums until you can get to a CAT scale, is to set the tandums under the rear of the load (or as close as you can). 9 times out of 10, that will be very close.

Ernie

Agree, this usually works okay for me. My current FL has a percentage gauge and at 60% on the drives, they weigh just under 34K which, on a legal weight under 80K gross, will keep your trailer tandems weight legal as well.

Definitely obtain your permit ahead of time if possible. You will have plenty to pay attention to without having to stress about getting the permit. Good luck to ya!

Nice to hear from you Max E! Thanks for the update. I know you will land on your feet soon. Keep on trucking, lol.

As to the Phase 2 OTR with a Trainer for up to 15 days - it's mainly to get you acquainted with life on the road, not so much to teach you to drive. They know before Phase 2 that you can drive the rig safely. Phase 2 acquaints you with dealing with shippers/receivers, doing fuel stops, crossing weigh stations, proper real life trip planning, backing, etc. I was OTR for Roehl with a Trainer for 12 days before testing out to begin solo driving. It is enough time, just barely however. You will definitely be stressed during your first 30 days or so as a solo driver. Good luck!

No personal experience with Dart, but have talked to a couple of their drivers who had leases. They told me the net money was about the same as being a company driver, but they had more freedom and choices as a lease operator.

That thin line between being an employee and a 1099 independent contractor is detailed in IRS regulations and, actually, most so called 1099 jobs are, in reality, employee jobs. There used to be about 25 different statements of "do's and don't's" to determine a worker's status. Companies doing this are just hoping to not get caught. I have not looked at the regulations lately, but as I recall, one of the tests to determine one's status is that you must supply your own equipment; another is that you determine your own schedule as to when you will work and when you will not work.

Congrats! You accomplished a lot already, now let the fun begin!

There was a former attorney who had completed OTR training and tested out with me a couple of years ago. Also, I met a lady truck driver O/O who was a former chiropractor. Don't recall their names

When all you haul is paper, it starts to smell like money!