Comments By Steve L.

How do I keep my emotions in check and get thick enough skin to put up with some of the crap we deal with out there or is it something I have to learn and pick up on my own through experience?

This may sound simplistic, but; what is your "why?" Why are you doing this thing called truck driving? THAT is what's important. Remind yourself EVERYday of that reason.

When I started driving (about eight years ago), I approached the job as THE thing that would put food on the table, pay the bills, payoff debt. For me, there was no fallback. Keeping this in mind allowed me to smile at the check-in window, thank the dispatchers and put up with the crap I didn't like (or think I deserved).

As you've learned, nobody owes you anything; you've got to go out and earn it. Now go and DO IT!

I hope this helps.

Contracts give the shipper a guaranteed price for the term of the contract. This is a good thing if rates are rising or there is uncertainty about what freight rates will do in the next few months. With rates dropping and going lower for the foreseeable future there's no benefit to shippers in locking in a rate.

While I understand this, why wouldn't a shipper (if they're generally happy with the trucking companies they're using) try negotiating a new rate with the carrier?

Also, it seems this would be all the more reason the carrier's salespeople should be making regular, in person, contact with the shippers to keep them happy. Sometimes donuts help. :)

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!

Steve L says:

they’ll NEVER take the responsibility for you in court

Prime has a citations department whose responsibility is to address and challenge citations if necessary.

I have specifically been told by Prime logs that if we are cited improperly for a log violation they will fight it.

Let me be more clear; if you go on personal conveyance to get your trailer washed out, I fail to see how that would be an improper citation, if you are cited for it.

I guess all I’m saying is, I’m not gonna hang my career and my paycheck on the hopes that somebody else is going to cover up for my mistakes.

When I first log Off Duty, I choose 10 Hour Break as the option. When I switch to Sleeper, should I be selecting that again?

I wouldn’t worry about that unless your company requires it. The comments section can vary by company. Mine doesn’t offer “10hr Break” when selecting Sleeper Berth. I figure “Sleeper Berth” is self explanatory.

I had an unusual experience over the past few days that I would like to describe and then hear from you other drivers about how to deal with this, should it ever happen again.

I got an assignment to deliver a meat load from Texas to Hazleton, PA. I got way ahead of my schedule, great weather, everything is going very well. In Ohio, I got a call from the company to meet up with another driver in Vandalia. I was to park at the Flying J, go on sleeper berth and wait for the other driver who had a load going to North Bergen, NJ. The other driver would be almost out of hours, for reasons unknown to me, but they had figured I could make the delivery on time. By the time we made the switch, I had been in SB for exactly 7 hours and still had 3 hours of driving time left on my clock. So I left immediately for the 608 miles I needed to cover to finish this delivery. Drove out my 3 hours, found a rest area to park with just minutes left to spare and went back on “paired SB” for 3 hours. When I woke up, I had 8 hours of driving time back and 449 miles to go to get to the 0800 appointment.

Because of traffic and weather issues, I ended up being about 1 hour late. But I ran out of drive time in a very congested area near the delivery, so I went on PC to get to the location, which was also very tight and congested. I made the delivery and couldn’t park anywhere near there for a 10 hour break, but I needed a trailer washout which was only 7 miles away and next to a small truck stop in Kearney, NJ. I go back on PC and go to the washout. When I was done, I tried to find a parking spot at the adjacent truck stop, but it was completely full. I get back on I95 and go to the nearest service area, where I am currently parked for a 10 hour break.

By the time I finally got shut down, I had been on PC for about 3 hours. My company only allows 1 hour. I’m sure I will get a serious call from safety tomorrow, but I didn’t see a way to get out of the New Jersey mess legally. So I kept going to my first place to safely park.

So just to make a long story endless, what could or should I have done differently?

I think new drivers should remember this is a job first AND, in the event of a mishap, ultimate responsibility will be on US, the Driver.

Refuse the load if you must. The dispatcher who needs a favor or the person who booked that account and is hoping you’ll pull them through, might appreciate your creative efforts (doubtful), but they’ll NEVER take the responsibility for you in court and they surely won’t pay your bills if you get fired.

I was recently asked to do something similar to your scenario. I politely declined, saying I couldn’t force myself to sleep at a certain time and guarantee on-time delivery.

I wanna be the go-to guy, but I need my paycheck.

I once had a company (Schneider) review of my logs and was asked why I never slept? 😳 The “if you didn’t log it, it didn’t happen” philosophy.

I explained that, normally when I shut down, I go off duty and by the time I hit the rack, the Qualcomm has gone into sleep mode and I don’t bother waiting for it to start back up.

The company evaluator said it is possible (but not probable) for DOT to say I’m not being truthful on my logs if I never log sleeper berth.

I took it to mean it’s not illegal to just log off duty, but it’s more accurate and will raise fewer suspicions if you “log it as you do it.”

I hope this helps.

Hey all, I have my test on Wednesday and I'm real nervous.

When making a left turn, you always start turning once you're in the middle of the intersection?

For right turns, are they always wide?

I would hope your instructors have been getting you to drive the same route you’ll be testing on. That was my experience in both the road test and company orientation.

Have you been successful in your turns during the learning portion of your training? If so, keep doing it. If not, you’re probably not ready for testing and, if this is the case, your instructors should be able to point out where your improvements are needed.

Propaganda ragsheet.

I don’t subscribe, but I read the article. I doubt anyone outside the industry cares. And the only ones IN the industry who care, are the Drivers.

I’m confused; are you renting your house, or paying a mortgage?

I pay $1200 a month for rent in my house

The numbers are easy and I’d put stuff in storage; climate controlled like suggested.

If you own your house and consider renting it, just keep in mind you’ll probably need a good property manager, since you’ll be an absentee owner.

If you’re renting, I’d say you’re currently wasting $$ on rent. Save the $$. Debt free is a great feeling.

Good luck. 😎