Profile For Tyler Durden

I have only been behind the wheel now going on two years. To say it's kept me busy is a understatement....... but in a good way. I've seen parts of the US I never dreamt I would see.

I'm going to list what is strictly of my own opinion things you will need to be successful in this industry.

3. Don't get mad about things you can't control....... This is a key thing as I see some drivers getting so worked up and mad about things they should be used to by now. Your load will change. The shipper will not take you when you want them to. Traffic. Oh my god the traffic. The list goes on and on. I've known 3 people so far found dead in their truck. One was only 38. Cause was heart related. If you get yourself so worked up over stuff you really can't control this may be bad for you health wise. Things are going to change daily and you must be able to adjust with them. I always tell me self. It's only freight. Things can be so much worse I'm not worried something didn't go my way today.

2. Patience.... this is obvious and well known for the industry. Only do what you feel comfortable in weather conditions or any situation. BE PATIENT. No load matters if you don't make it safely. Don't worry about what others are doing. Just take your time and take care of you. If you are struggling with a back in take a deep breathe.... Check your set up.....take a lap around the building and try again. Don't get frustrated. Frustration will lead to mistakes. Just stay calm. Sometimes easier said than done

In my opinion the number one thing you need to be successful

1. Common sense...... This is critical and surprisingly you will be shocked to see how little some have of it. I assure you with more common sense you would see a heck of a lot less trucking incidents. Don't put yourself in a bad spot you can't get out of. Use common sense. If it looks too tight or something doesn't look right .... Don't do it. I personally do line haul but I have talked to plenty of P&D drivers that see they just can't make the delivery due location and they just tell the customer. I'm right here and can't get to you safely. Majority of times your dispatcher will support you if you explain the circumstances. They won't support you if you have to make the call because you tried and are stuck or hit something.

Like I said I do line haul LTL all over the Northeast and I wouldn't want to do anything else. It fits me and fits my family. I like driving at night and the pay is great.

Sorry I don't get on here much anymore as life just keeps me busy and when I'm not busy. I'm busy being lazy and enjoying the time to just relax. If anyone has any questions about line haul I will do my best to answer when I can. If You feel any of my 3 are wrong ...... well these are just my personal opinions. I promise you. If you don't have number 1 on my list. Don't get behind the wheel.

Stay safe people and just sit back and enjoy yourself. You are getting paid to see the country. Sadly .... mostly at 63 mph or near that but hey.... Would you really want to be doing anything else?

Well done Brett. I've personally only been at it now for a year and what a year it has been. Everything you mention is accurate. With to me the biggest need you mentioned is patience. If anyone ever has to try and drive in NYC or any major city in heavy traffic without patience I would be scared to see your heart rate.

It's been a excellent one year for me and I can't wait to keep on going. Sadly, LTL is slow right now. But all part of the job

A guy I was in training with said it best. When getting into this career, when you leave home for 3 -4 weeks, if your relationship at home is solid it will need some work when you return home. If you leave and it is rocky at home you will probably be divorced when you get home.

Basically this is not a easy career on any relationship, especially OTR. It takes a strong woman and strong relationship to last. You need both of those. I know two people in my orientation class lost relationships at home in the 8 weeks total they were gone. 3 weeks training and 5 weeks with trainer.

Wish you the best and thankful my wife wasn't one of the two 😉

To confirm old schools recommend 1 year, my roommate during orientation there said he hadn't smoked in months and assumed he was in the clear. He never made it to job offers day. Orientation starts Sunday and they test on Monday so it's no joke.

Thought they tested on Tuesday. I remember as it was no breakfast that day. Ahhh the food was quite good during training

For some reason this post concerns me that you are operating on any road and unsure about shifting properly.

My first day solo I was nervous and terrified, took me a while to finally pull off the yard. It's a dangerous and or interesting job, and rather physical.

Tyler, if I remember correctly, didn't you go glass initially? They got a lot more going on than we do which is how they can hit cpms in the 60s. I'm considering moving to glass to some point but I'd have to butter up the wife. I still tall to my trainer and have a few buddies from my class still here. A lot of guys have dropped since graduation day as you'd expect.

Yes I was in glass. Dedicated side. Things I was told in orientation didn't become reality once I got in truck and met FM. I left and glad I did. Got in with a LTL company running line haul and LOVE it.

Ironic I got a call from my recruiter about a month later telling me the amount of problems they had with that FM. Kind of a between her and I call. She was awesome and I do miss her.

Sorry didn't see this earlier. On my 34. I'm with Maverick and can answer any questions. Ps go with Maverick

I was with Maverick and quit after going solo. Wasn't my cup of tea. In the trucking world they are a decent company. Not the best but not the worst. Now back to the shadows for CT

I do often wonder though how many from my class are still with them. My guess is maybe 2

Before I do anything I will be going into the local IRS office. I always like to get my Pub 17 to read over before filing. Also looking to get the following

Publication. 463. Form 2106 Instructions for 2106

Hopefully they all help. Not sure what all I will need being first year in trucking and I'm not big on paying someone to do them

Hear ya. Keep receipts for everything that might be reimbursable. Things like cell phones - most advise to have one for biz and one for personal. Or calculate the usage percentage.

Is your company paying you on a per diem basis - or straight pay?

Have you done the whole year OTR - or just a portion?

I used to do my IRS stuff - found it a challenge to find all the loopholes I could. Easier to have my guy do it - now that I have a Sub-S and personal to get done.

Rick

I am paid straight pay. I have all my paper logs for the 7 months I was doing it. I already itemize each year so this is all just bonus on top. I will take the standard deduction allowed with per diem as it is more then keeping receipts I may consult with IRS just to see what they say. I did talk to a tax company and sadly I knew more about the subject then they did. A small time place in a strip mall.

Before I do anything I will be going into the local IRS office. I always like to get my Pub 17 to read over before filing. Also looking to get the following

Publication. 463. Form 2106 Instructions for 2106

Hopefully they all help. Not sure what all I will need being first year in trucking and I'm not big on paying someone to do them

Thank you. Just got this from an accountant in my area

Basically, if he’s away from home for an entire day (meaning midnight to midnight) he can either claim his actual costs for meals and lodging, or he can claim a $63 per day credit for every entire 24 hour day he’s away. On days he would leave/arrive home, he can claim 75% of the $63 (47.25) as a per diem credit. This is only available if you itemize deductions, and not if you take the standard deduction.

What qualifies as a "full day"out?

I run line haul. I typically leave say Monday night and return home Wednesday morning. Some weeks I leave Sunday night and return home Saturday morning. Weeks truly vary

Been driving line haul and now I am sadly back on the dock. Freight has really slowed down. I know winter plays a part but everyone keeps saying "it's an election year, it's always slow" ....... Why?

I love line haul but sadly may have to look at something else. I get the theory when you start you have to gain seniority ....... but to be honest...... working the dock 8 hours a day ......Sucks. No other way to describe it. Now to hear may lose my current bid by a senior guy bumping me. That puts me on the "call board" which means you sit by the phone and wait for a call.

This is some things all my research didnt prepare me for

6 string ....... are you guys slow? Heard OD is as well

Thanks everyone for the input. This being my first year in trucking, just trying to get an idea. Typically I do my own taxes and always use 1040A and Schedule A. This year I may pay someone to do them.

With line haul I'm typically only ever gone from home one night at a time on "bed runs". In no way will I be able to claim 300 days but 8-10 nights a month is good with me to be gone from home. Any bit helps come tax time. I know my company does not do anything with our pay for per diem. We just hold onto our logs, yes they still use paper logs, for easy calculating come tax time.

Could someone explain it as simple as possible yet detailed? Oxymoron?

I know you receive so much of a credit per day that you are gone from home at tax time. I think that is accurate. I'm not sure if this is filed on schedule A or how it works. And does it really help you get more back at tax time? Any info would be great or link to good thread that may already have been submitted

Your set up is a huge part of your success. Also be able to anticipate what the trailer is going to do. What that means is don't wait until the trailer is where you want it before turning the wheel. Time patience and practice. You will get it and like others said. When in doubt GOAL. I would rather get out and look or pull up 20 times then hit something once.

Yep, I was on the call board / extra board for about 4 months until I was able to bid on my first schedule - Jersey City!

I forgot New Penn doesn't run doubles. Where's the New Penn terminal near us? We should chat sometime.

Running out of Camp Hill. My current bid is extra road position which is a on call bid. So far I been going out every night. They have another that is fast turn metro. That is generally only NY, NJ, PA and MD. I prefer the longer runs which thankfully I been getting. Mainly been going to New England area.

Congrats man! I know you originally wanted something local to begin with. Welcome to the linehaul brotherhood. I hope you enjoy it! It doesn't get much easier than running linehaul, and the pay is nothing to complain about. Do you have your own schedule or will you need to wait to get a run?

Right now I'm on the call board working my way up on seniority. You know how that is. Last week I ran 6 days. 3 overnights but they put you in decent hotels. Depending on where you stay you could be in hotel for 10-14 hours before heading back out.

Worst place I go to is Maspeth NY.

Liking line haul. All no touch and if I have to do a drop and hook they pay me extra for it. No doubles either as they don't do doubles.

May I ask what happened with maverick? I love the company so far.

For me I had a fight with FM. I was told I would get home time and he didn't want to give it to me. That was right after getting into my own truck. Since then there have been multiple complaints about him. (I've kept in contact with my recruiter thus how I know)

Also the opportunity with New Penn came and I took it. Averaging about 2500 miles a week. Only give up 15 minutes detention instead of 2 hours. Insurance is paid for me and family.

Do have union dues but that's only like 48 a month. So far so good

Good to hear from you, Tyler. Maybe you could stop in and join the TT hot tub once in a while. The newbies need to hear from road experienced drivers.

Will do my best. It's the least I could do as this site was extremely beneficial

Just wanted to stop by and say hello and wish everyone a Happy and safe Fourth of July. Don't get to check in here much anymore. Was doing OTR with Maverick but left and started with New Penn driving line haul. Glad I did. Enjoying driving and seeing the northeast for now until winter kicks in. Then may not like it as much haha. Stay safe out there people