Profile For Robert B. (The Dragon) yes, I breathe fire and other sideshow tricks

I tried the lot lizard thing but I’m pretty hideous as a woman.

We’re already pretty much in a recession since we’ve had two consecutive quarters of negative gdp growth. So far I’m on pace to make 90k this year. I’ve been busier than ever.

The Fed Reserve in Atlanta already released a negative for Q3 as well. Harry Dent had a pretty good take on this in his recent update, as well as Robert Kiosaki.

We have definitely seen the effects of what’s going on in the country right now. Gasoline sales are waaaay down compared to previous years. We haven’t been moving nearly as much product and have been trouble finding diesel at the terminals. The suppliers are playing their games and shipping it other places to make more money so the allocations are low around here. Gas is under $3/gal right now… why sell it here when they can ship it up north where it’s still expensive? We are down 6 drivers right now and it’s actually slow enough that it really hasn’t affected our day to day operations that I’ve seen.

Fuel prices will definitely go up again soon as our current administration decided it was a good idea to use the strategic oil reserves to lower fuel prices as a political ploy right before the midterms. Unfortunately, they also stymied domestic oil production so building the reserves back up will require purchasing abroad at an elevated price.

Can we just fire all those people?

Your company didn’t run you illegal, you did. Get out of that mindset because it’ll get you nowhere. They aren’t driving the truck, you are and nobody can make you drive the truck anywhere or at any point in time. The worst they could do is fire you and you move on. I’ve done more than my fair share of outlaw trucking in the oil fields and heavy haul and trust me, it was always on me if I got caught. As far as negative reviews on companies, I dare you to find a company that doesn’t have them. Not every company is going to meet every drivers particular needs so you have to be careful when you hear those types of reviews. The company I work for has negative reviews from guys who came here knowing everything about the industry yada yada yada. Yet over half the drivers here have been here 15 years or more. At our last company safety meeting, I can’t tell you how many 15-20 year Safe driving awards they handed out but it was significant with 2 drivers over 30 years with the company.

I agree with Davy about the audio. Audio and phone controls should be together and the transmission controls, at least for manual control could be mounted on the stalk with the engine brake. Hand position while driving has become more 9 and 3 with the airbag integration (I really don’t feel like pinching myself in both eyes in the event of deployment). Personally, I think engineers would be better served by spending a month in a truck. You’d have a much better grasp on the living conditions and needs of drivers.

All we run are the Volvo mid roof. It could definitely benefit from better and more storage but I’ve adapted. The fuel economy and distinct advantage pulling hills means more to me in the long run.

Where have you been hiding M.I.A.???

Running hard. We get really busy this time of the year and stay that way through the holidays. We really never slow down much but crops are coming in and all of our customers bump production.

All we run are the Volvo mid roof. It could definitely benefit from better and more storage but I’ve adapted. The fuel economy and distinct advantage pulling hills means more to me in the long run.

I haven't experienced or seen any food shortages. Local restaurants are packed as long they're open and the grocery store shelves are full. This is all a reflection of what I say and may vary region to region, but to be it sounds like more fear mongering.

You won’t see shortages yet, last years crop storage is winding down to make room for the new product, which has already been determined to be short. It could take several months before actual shortages come into effect.

It’s coming. I haul ag, primarily for pet food suppliers, dairies, co-ops and breweries. The dairies are paying premium right now trying to stockpile the feed ingredients they mix for cattle, pigs and poultry. In Minnesota, only 11% of the wheat crop made it in the ground and corn is expected to come in at a 20-30% loss. Oregon had a ridiculous amount of acreage that didn’t get planted and several other states we run in are experiencing similar issues. Cargill and ADM are two of the larger suppliers we pick up at and they’ve already issued warnings in regards to crop shortages.

I have plenty of friends making 100k a year as a company driver, it comes with the experience and personal motivation. With the figures you’re putting out there, I really don’t understand why you’re complaining because compared to the majority of leases out there, you’re doing very well and just because your other buddies might make more somewhere else, that doesn’t mean you will and you have to keep that in mind. Old School, I’m honestly quite happy fuel prices are up. The National fuel surcharge this week is 59.4% of which I get all of it along with the fuel discounts at the pump. I’m making an extra 800-1000 a week just off the fuel surcharge. Where I’m at, the fuel surcharge is figured as such that it’s a wash regarding fuel with no extra out of pocket when fuel prices were “normal”. When prices spiked this summer and stayed high, it was up to 68% and I was making an extra 12-1400 each week thanks to the fuel surcharge. I’m still bewildered that there are drivers out there doing leases who supposedly get 100% off the fuel surcharge, yet still have to pay extra each week, now that’s predatory.

I don’t have that function on my truck but I am a member of the 200mph club on and off the track in a vehicle and on a motorcycle. Before someone gets angry, in both situations there was a certain amount of traffic control involved and it was done on stretches of road where no other traffic was encountered.

Well, there are a lot of drivers driving dangerously on the roads, 4 and 18 wheels alike. The thing about being a truck driver, as I'm sure everyone already knows, is the risks and dangers are amplified. What bothers me more than truckers speeding in construction zones is truckers tailgating 4-wheelers or anything else. There simply isn't enough room to stop or navigate if something goes sideways. I have some long-held beliefs about fines and penalties for people who tailgate and speed. The current system doesn't go far enough. It needs to be more punitive. When a driver's behavior is that aggressive (trucker or otherwise, they're a menace to the road, a danger to the safety of the general public.

When I think about it, it's 2022; we have the technology to monitor and crack down on this type of aggressive driving without needing a patrol car to pull someone over. Why isn't the technology being used in every vehicle on the road? Don't get me wrong, I like my autonomy, but there needs to be a line drawn in the sand when a person's actions endanger the lives of innocent people. OK, I've probably said too much. Carry on...lol

I think the opposing argument can be made. Take all the tech out of vehicles, take its functionality away from drivers and stop giving away drivers licenses like the lick n stick tattoos from the Cracker Jack box. One thing I remember vividly about Germany was the training that went into achieving the privilege of driving. It was costly and extensive but they legitimately teach people how to drive, unlike here in the US where if you have a pulse, you can get a license. The distractions into todays automobiles and even in the trucks causes more people to be complacent when they should be paying attention.

TMC runs primarily contract freight like so many other larger companies do. They fulfill costumers needs by providing a volume of drivers and equipment required by those customers. You’ll start out just like every other new driver and from there, through your effort and and learning ability, open opportunities to move into one of their other specialized contracts. When dealing with percentage pay, you’ll always be exposed to market fluctuation but as a company, their goal is retention of quality drivers, just like everyone else.

Https://youtu.be/ymD8_DGwP50

The link function didn’t like the url for some reason but anywho, Tu Simple’s self driving system which still requires a driver behind the wheel apparently said screw it and decided the center divider looked mighty tasty. If you watch the video, it very narrowly misses hitting another vehicle and the driver has zero indication that the system is about to fail and can’t gain control before impact.

I think every base has been covered but I wanted to add a little additional info regarding military bases. Many are more changing their policy regarding TWIC and no longer accept it. Some require a questionnaire filled out in advance and proper background check before even picking the load up and others will do a quick check upon arrival. Tinker AFB in Oklahoma does the latter and several Naval facilities (sub bases) in the northwest require the info before you ever pick up the load. Aberdeen proving grounds does an on site background check which takes about 15 minutes and then issues a temporary pass good for 6 months, then the check is performed again.

Fun fact for those who may not know. That bolt he refers to on the 5th wheel adjusts the jaw tension

You would need to look up the regulations or preferences regarding transport in each state you’re traveling in. Primarily those states which do not show reciprocity to your CCP.

My response wasn’t meant to be condescending. It was meant to give some insight as to why companies have to be so strict in regards to drug policies. In regards to being downrange, been there as well and I do understand the stresses. I do hope he can get it sorted out but as was already mentioned, he’s got a tough road ahead of him because of when the failed test happened.

I witnessed this one at a Love's off I-75, near Calhoun, GA two days ago (21 June).

It appeared the Amazon driver was going to outsmart everyone by creating his own parking spot at the truck entry/exit point of the truck stop. After scraping the sidewalls of his drive tires along the high curb for at least 25', one of the tires blew out. SURPRISE! After the tire and associated service call costs, it would not surprise me if he's going to be in the Negative Profit Range this week. One of the glaring mistakes on this one is the fact there were marked parking spots available at the time. All that was required was backing in.

From my observations of many of the Amazon contract drivers, there are only two questions that must have a "YES" answer at the employment interview:

1) Do you own a truck?

2) Do you have a pulse?

It appears as if all the shtboxes that used to run for Landstar all went running to Amazon lol

Banks “theory” isn’t a theory. At any point in time, some idiot on a cell phone are any other distraction could side swipe a truck and destroy their car. Whether they are at fault or not, the damage to their vehicle or potential injury makes it a DOT reportable accident and the driver is going to be tested. Now let’s get into the litigation side of it. There are 30 different law firms (this came directly from our companies insurance agent and moderator who’s job it is to monitor everything motor carrier wise) whose speciality is suing trucking companies. It’s literally all they do and they are exceptional at it. That’s why companies have to be so careful regarding everything because the litigation potential is always hovering over their head, even if they’re in the clear.