Comments By G-Town

Also a reason why dumbasses and hotheads rarely succeed in this business. And if they do succeed, it’s probably a result of recognizing their bad temperament and adjusting their attitude.

Stealing a truck is however rather extreme. The OP likely hasn’t heard the last of this…

Reason number7988316 not to work as a 1099. Also perhaps a lesson in picking the hill you want to die on.

Consider yourself lucky they didn’t arrest you for theft…

The accident occurred in 2021. Less than 1 year…

So, the only blemish on your driving record in your life is a 15 year old accident on a motorcycle. If that is all, I would call CFI, Western Express and CRST. I would speak to a recruiter and tell them about the accident upfront and that three others turned you down. I don't see how the 15 year old accident you described is hurting you.

Most people who post things like you just did, do not want the truth.

Here goes…

First and foremost this is one more example of why it’s best to take the path of Paid CDL Training Programs. This accident would have been uncovered earlier in the process.

On your first application did you disclose this accident? If you didn’t, then in their eyes you weren’t honest with them. It’s about trust and truth.

Even if you did disclose it, to me it indicated you were not in control of your bike as you accelerated through the on-ramp. Maybe following too close. Its also very current, relatively new. If you can get another recruiter on the phone, take responsibility for the accident. Explain your mistake, what you learned and how you intend to prevent it in the future. Be humble and do not blame it on the bus! Do something like this in a semi and it’s likely a different outcome.

Trucking companies are risk averse… they deem hiring you as a risk.

My suggestion is to try Western Express and Dutch Maid…among others…

Use this link: Apply For Truck Driving Jobs

Good luck.

What companies are involved here?

I know why you were DQ’d (several reasons) and why others won’t touch you, not sure if you want to hear the truth though.

Maryland Dept. of Labor

Davy wrote:

My biggest gripe with them isnt their data, its the interpretation of their data effecting my safety bonus, but thats just an idiosyncrasy of the company I work for in that even though the camera showed no vehicle or threat in view, my safety manager can not get the points removed so I still potentially loose money.

Knight-Swift has an appeal process your safety manager should be following. I can recall two instances where an event interpretation added points to my score. I contested both of them; terminal safety manager agreed (both very obvious), appealed up the food chain to Safety VP and the points were deducted before the bonus period closed.

Push a little harder Davy..but pick your battles wisely.

As far as the inward camera ideology? That goes both ways.

Your employer is entrusting you with a multi-million dollar liability risk, for the most part as a leap of faith because of limited experience. I’m in favor of outward and inward facing cameras because too many times I see so-called professional drivers conducting their business in an unsafe manner; texting, watching video, eating a bowl of cereal, feet propped up on dash… following too close, really dumb stuff. Maddening and disturbing.

Everyone around us can observe how we drive (like lane control and drifting issues, telltale sign of texting or drowsiness) and what we are doing behind the wheel (especially other truckers)…everyone that is, except our employers. How else can the unsafe drivers be held accountable unless there is documented evidence proving unsafe behavior? No other way… Besides don’t you want them to observe you conducting your business safely? Like I said, works both ways.

And the privacy concern? When parked, pull the curtain to cover the lens. Privacy secured. Simple. Besides when the ignition is off, at least with the camera technology I’m familiar with, the inward facing camera is disabled, only outward facing is enabled. Invasion of privacy is a rather weak argument when considering our every move in public is recorded.

If you do your job safely and adhere to your companies policies, you have nothing to worry about.

Is the seat set so when your feet are flat on the floor, there is some space just between your leg and the seat cushion? Maybe set too high? Grasping at straws here…

I used to run with some air in the seat… now my preference is to run with next to no air. No back issues… but everyone is different.

For backing with autoshift…

If you have this feature/control, set (on) the lockout for your differential. The torque will be spread over two axles as opposed to one. Backing will be smoother.

No grumbling… we each have our reasons for preference.

You will here alot of grumbling on this topic.

I got my CDL in a 10 speed. I trained with my company on a 13 speed. I am now solo in an automatic.

I am grateful and happy I learned how to float gears well. That said, unless I have no choice, I will stick to an automatic. At least for now and for reasons you described. I am still learning how to track and manipulate my trailer safely. I would rather the whole of my focus go toward that.

Although I will say, backing in a standard transmission is nicer than an auto in my opinion.

Balance your weight. Scale to be legal and secondarily to achieve weight balance.

Although there definitely are many more variables as Packy suggested, I’ll bet you have substantially more weight on your tandems than on your drives.

Hair test? At least 90 days. If you exposed to secondary smoke everyday, it’s possible you’ll never be clean.

Pot and truck driving… they do not mix.

Congratulations!

Plus I think they drop behind the store, eliminating the need to navigate through the customer lot like DG. Good advice Steve!

****'s Sporting Goods

Double check me on this, but if that’s a drop/hook scenario, it might be a good fit.

When I drove for Schneider, they loaned me to a Target dedicated account and it was pretty easy, all drop/hook. Granted you’re maneuvering (oftentimes) into shopping centers, but usually to the back.

It’s much better than the Dollar accounts.

I hope this helps.

Having backed a semi well over 10,000 times, I’d highly recommend NOT entering this type of account as a rookie. Commingling with 4-wheelers in tight parking lots is a precarious undertaking for experienced drivers, let alone rookies. Although there are exceptions (PapaPig), it just compounds an already difficult learning curve. Give yourself a fighting chance… many other opportunities that are more suitable for entry level drivers.

Good luck!

Welcome to the forum JJ.

Have you looked at this?

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road CDL Training Program
• CDL Practice Tests

Your desired path into trucking is likely to fail. Unless you are willing and able to make a full time commitment and effort at this for at least 6-9 months, like Bobcat said; it’s highly unlikely any company will hire a PT driver with zero experience. I know for a fact Swift will not enter into an arrangement like this without some experience.

Unless you can jump in with both feet and yours eyes focused on a single goal…I encourage you to consider something else far less difficult.

Good luck.

JJ believes…

You can always have the auto restriction removed later down the line.

Walk us through that process. Where are you going to find a truck? And who is going to allow you to mash their gears while you learn? How will you find the time to practice? Where will you practice? When you look at this on a more granular level, it’s not going to be easy.

Thanks for finally coming on here and posting something. Good luck at Cypress!

Nice going Bruce, we’ll done! Congratulations!

My opinion on learning to drive a manual is consistent with Turtle. If I had the autoshift restriction on my license, I would not be able to perform as a driver for my current employer. All of our trucks are sticks, my assigned tractor is a Mack Pinnacle with a 10sp fuller. Its a blast to operate and I feel completely in control with any condition, including off-road.

We also have a 6-wheeler tagged for 38,000 lbs. It has a 6-speed with a splitter controlling a 2 speed axle. I enjoy driving it making residential deliveries of mulch, topsoil and compost late afternoons or early evening. It’s an easy drive. The transmission however is synchronized and doesn’t require the finesse’ and timing necessary for smooth shifting of an unsynchronized transmission equipped truck. However if I had the restriction I would not be able to legally drive this truck. Rather silly but true.

Although the larger TL fleets are almost all transitioned to auto, LTLs, secondary and local fleets are not. And arguably, possibly never. My job is local, home every day for dinner. Pay is competitive and the hours are reasonable. With the restriction I’m not qualified for this job.

The other element of this, it’s easier to include learning and testing in a manual now more so than later. You’d need to find a tractor to practice in to prepare for a road test. 2-3 years from now, that might be both expensive and hard to find. None of the rental companies will allow you to drive a truck with a stick if you have the restriction. You’d need to find a friend willing to help. Good luck. Not as easy as one might assume.

And your thought of leasing-on with one of the megas? All of the leasing programs are designed to maximize profits for the carrier, not for the driver. You take on liability, downtime and more risk. Your friends only showed you the upside. Ask for a full years worth of statements. And even so… until you learn how to make money as a company driver… don’t even think about this. I learned how to make great money as a company driver… if leasing was everything as advertised…? Every experienced driver in this forum would already be involved in an arrangement like that. It’s totally skewed to favor the company…stay clear.

I’m here Annie…

A bit free time because of some other projects I’ve taken on around the house and personally.

Sooo… Tekashi, unless you live within a commutable distance to Richmond (you’re in PA so it’s rhetorical), I suggest not asking if you can stay in a separate hotel. There are several reasons for this, some of which Annie already touched on.

Please realize the moment your schooling begins, so does your job interview. Swifts evaluation of how you respond, how you conduct yourself and how you interact with others begins at the onset of your time at the Academy.

I don’t know if they would allow such a thing, but honestly your goal is to have them notice you for the right reasons… not the wrong ones. You’ll also miss out on the study groups that invariably form with other students in your class. Without being in the same hotel, you’re likely to miss out on this and will be on your own to study.

If you come off as a loner from the very beginning, how do you think Swift will evaluate your ability to share a truck and live in a small space with your mentor for 4-5 weeks? Not favorably.

Swift will reimburse for mileage if you drive to Richmond (which based on where you live, far better than riding the GrayDog), but definitely not the hotel. Driving your self? Totally cool with that. Not a fan of the bus ride.

For that and other less tangible reasons, compliance with their process is highly advisable. Go with the flow… now is not the time to buck status quo.

Good luck!