Profile For G-Town

Next month I will celebrate my 6th anniversary with Swift... Here is an article I wrote describing my experiences beyond the 1st year.

The Benefits of Staying With Your First Company Beyond 1 Year

This is nice and good but please do not forget it is the drivers responsibility to G.O.A.L. (multiple times if necessary), not a bystander. I’ve helped others struggling, but only if asked. Most do not want help. I am of the strong opinion that when learning the “art of the setup and backing” its best to leave someone to figure it out on their own and only offer unsoliscited intervention if they are at risk of hitting something.

In addition never rush or become distracted from the peanut gallery mocking your folly...no one is born knowing how-to back the wagon. I’ve on more than one occasion mentioned that to the self-proclaimed critic. And turn the CB off...that too can be hugely distracting in a TS until you become experienced.

The High way traing program on this site has a Great HoS section. It hammers in these concepts until you are ready to puke including 8/2 split as n tricks of the trade.

Learn The Logbook Rules (HOS)

Congratulations Doug.

I have several hundred prints and slides of old trucks I’ve photographed at shows dating back to 1998. Mostly older, restored stuff. I haven’t taken the time to scan all of them...

Some day I will.

BJ and The Bear repainted their truck?!?!

And put chicken lights on it...

I don't know much about older rigs. But I was walking by this truck at a Walmart DC dock this morning and it just made me think of this thread.

Mid to late 80’s KW-100 COE Aerodyne.

I was told that when I was waiting at a stop, I could put myself off duty. Is that correct?

It depends...

There are Dedicated Retail accounts (Walmart) that require the driver to observe and at times supervise the unloading. I must remain on-duty during this process. If however I’m waiting for the dock to clear (which happens), I log off-duty until the dock clears and I log on-duty to dock my trailer.

Or the extreme case of Dollar General that requires the driver physically unload the freight. All on-duty.

Otherwise, for an unattended live load or unload and the time you are waiting, if you show a bit of time (15 min) on-duty before logging off-duty or sleeper to cover you for the retrieval of shipping papers and backing into the dock, you are legally covered. Use good judgement and make remarks when you change status to on-duty describing what you are doing.

Oh, I forgot to mention. If you guys get a minute, would you do me a huge favor and give us a (5 star!) rating on iTunes and Google Play? It will only take a moment and it's super critical if we want others to find our podcast on either platform. Also, subscribe to our podcast on those networks for the same reason.

Just click on the images below and it'll take you there. Thanks!

There doesn’t appear to be a way to post a rating through Google Play.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery Dan.

Pete has concern for Susan...

Susan, your age is showing, dear. That Freightliner is red, not white.

Oh Susan’s age is just fine, faculties intact.

Pete...take a close look at the name plate directly above the grill and notice the word “White” above the word “Freightliner”.

The Freightliner brand was once manufactured and distributed by the White Motor Company in an agreement with Consolidated Freightways (CF).

Here is the Wiki history of the Freightliner brand...

The History of Freightliner

Quite a story, I think.

G-Town can identify the trucks better than I ever will. Hopefully he'll educate us with definitive information.

Early 60s B-61 Mack (aka B-Model).

Hey Bruce, how about you stick to trucking topics, stop insulting people and ramming your political agenda down our throats. I don’t care about your opinion and do not care to read about it.

This is not a political forum and I can assure you there is only one vote that really counts on Trucking Truth and you just questioned his integrity.

Bruce wrote this...

Sometime you flag wavers might want to unfurl that flag from around your eyes so you can see things in a more realistic way.

And that’s not insulting? It is to me...

C’mon...this is a trucking website and Chuck Todd is not moderating. Chill.

It is mostly for weight distribution over the (normally) 5 axles. The better it is distrbuted, or closer to equal for each axle, the less wear on the road surface.

True, except in the case of states that have none (KingPin setting law), and allow a full stretch, allowing tandems slid all the way to the rear or in the 1 hole. Don’s state, Ohio is an example of where you can do either or somewhere in between.

Rear overhang is also enforced in many states which qualifies as both safety and maneuverability.

Here is a great thread on the subject of KingPin Setting Law, that was posted a while back.

I do think it’s all of the above...distance between the drives and tandems, safety and maneuverability. Depends on the state, the greater the population density, areas of tighter maneuverability and over developed urban centers tend to have the stricter laws and they are enforced.

Congratulations!

The only things I've heard about is dot measuring bridge law with a tape measure and fussing over trailer and lights.

Not exactly...

Bridge law will never apply to a 53’ trailer. Even with the tandems tucked under the trailer (in the one hole) it will comply with federal bridge law axle spacing and distances.

They are measuring KingPin setting laws which are based on an individual state. Some states have nothing, others like CA, MD, CT, & NJ tend to be rather strict and very happy to take our money.

Bridge law is federal, KingPin Setting law is not the same and state DOT enforced.

See below:

I saw that earlier this morning. Fortunately no one was seriously injured. Not sure why the Officer did not look to their left before proceeding into the intersection. A basic of defensive driving.

Slow down in the snow folks...not worth ending a career or worse.

I just have one question: How did you manage to land a ride along with G-Town????? I'd like one myself so where do I sign up?

He only lives 45 minutes north of the DC where I am domiciled, near Pottsville PA.

Good to here from you Banks. Glad you and the occupants of your vehicle were not hurt.

I don’t think the recent accident will negatively effect your chances for hire. As previously stated, the accident report will absolve you of any fault.

I wouldn’t worry too much about the rejections...could be many reasons. Lots of players...keep trying.

But to your point about failure; if you are 100% committed to school and road training, you’ll improve your chances for success 10-fold. Usually the reason students are sent home during orientation is a positive drug/alcohol test, lied on the application (non-disclosure of a crime) and/or medical reasons. It’s the reason why we are forever advising total honesty when applying.

Unfortunately this is not one of those things you can test the water on. Trucking; either all-in or not at all. It requires commitment, dogged determination, laser focus and an ability to roll with the punches.

Maybe spending more time in the diary section will help you to see the variety is success stories...all having a common denominator; commitment.

Good luck! Protect that license.