Profile For Truckin Along With Kearsey

Now since you had your medical marijuana card, your name is more than likely on a registry or list maintained somewhere, and if the DOT looked for, and finds, your name on that list, they may decide to scrutinize any drug tests you take or even void your medical card and CDL.

Where did you get this information from? According to a google search... In the US, all healthcare-related and medical information is protected by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) which means that the status as a holder of the medical marijuana card will not show up on a background check.

When you come to a trucking company you sign a HIPAA form granting the company any and all information. So yes, the doctors/insurance companies record it and have it. and you cannot get hired without signing the information from them to the company. It is about lawsuits. Companies are going to do anything and everything to ensure a lawyer cannot claim "the company is at fault because X driver tested positive several.momths ago and they didn't find it".

Despite popular belief.... Criminal and DUI records are not expunged completely either. Trucking companies see them, so be up front about that stuff too. When you hide stuff, you are lying through omission and when they find out you are done. I had a recent student who failed a drug test and hid it. A week after orientation, it was discovered and he was sent home. Now he can't find a job cause it looks deceitful.

And my opinion is different. I say learn on an auto.... Then later after you can safely turn, go through lights and observe everything etc... All you are learning is shifting. Taking a test then you will be much calmer. In MO u only get 5 points maximum for grinding the gears do it is an auto pass at that point.

Also... If you school and train on a manual now, then drive auto for 3 years... would you be able to operate the manual after 3 years? If you do a road test for a company you want.... Would you be able to shift or look like an idiot and fumble in front of you lr potential employer and desired company. I would rather have recent shifting experience before an interview/job change

No point to get a CDL at a local school then not get hired at a company. If it takes too long to get hired (usually 90 days) your CDL gets stale and companies want a full schooling over. Waste of time and money.

Keep trying every company sponsored program. Due to covid there are less restrictions on work history, even at prime

Is there something else you haven't told us? I work for Prime too and although one of the more strict companies.... Due to covid even they have relaxed their requirements. We had a 70 year old recently. So I'm wondering if there is some other reason. Something in the past such as a DUI you think is no big deal cause it was 20 years ago?

Also use anything across from you. If there is an empty space directly across from you then pull forward into it and straight back. Most times I do a 45 degree to set up then cut it hard. When tires look as they are heading into spot, I cut it the other way to straighten out. There is no shame in pulling forward.

I am much more than a number and have even joked about that to my FM saying he didn't know me (he rolled his eyes) ...my FMs substitute stood up and said "Hi Kearsey... U aren't a number to me" lol

It takes time and work to establish yourself. In all honesty I feel like royalty walking into the terminal. Even when I need help and struggle, other "top tier" and elite drivers are willing to help. After awhile it doesn't matter what department you go to, you get known. People have said it is because of my Youtube. Channel but truth is... I was treated like that before youtube.

I did a bang up job as an OTR driver than went onto team training. After 4.5years of that I went to CDL instructor class. It was a different kind of challenge and still there were people to help.

Jump.ship every few months and you will be a number. Excel and you won't be.

Also, this is from the trucking truth website. I don't understand why it's bad? It's 34 hours off duty...

If you were off the truck at home or in a hotel... Then yes, off duty. If you were staying on the truck, you need to log sleeper for when you were in bed. If a cop stopped you and said "the logs show you were not in the truck for 34 hours.... Do you have a hotel receipt since you do not live on this side of the country?". He will want a believable explanation.

G-Town,

What is the practical difference between sleeper and off duty? Can you count your time spent in the sleeper as off duty?

Sleeper is infact an "off duty" status as you are not working. If you are outside of the truck or in the passenger seat you are "off duty".... If you are laying down watching TV or reading on your bunk you are still considered to be in a state of "rest" and should be logged sleeper.

In a nutshell... Log what you are doing.

On duty for fueling, checking in at customers, roadside repair, DOT inspections, pretrip... Etc.

One of our members did not log 5 minutes for fuel and got inspected. The DOT officer checked his logs against his fuel receipt. It took him two years to get the job he wanted because of a falsifying logs ticket.

Banks,

I live between Stockton, Ca and Sacramento Ca: in Acampo, CA. However, the proximity of the school doesn't necessarily matter to me just as long as they also provide temporary housing.

You are confusing "hiring area" with schooling location. Example... Prime hires out of CA but the students go to the Salt Lake City Utah terminal for orientation. Why? Because after one week there, most go over the road with a trainer and don't come back until test time. Location doesn't matter to many companies. They often provide transportation to the terminal/school, lodging and food

Company sponsored school is often immersive. You do nothing but study and practice pretrip backing and driving. No family or work to interfere.

Thanks for all of the resources, y'all are great! I am a safety assistant, one task is reviewing all driver logs and oh boy...the different situations that pop up. Also our loads are all primarily over sized, we also have some in the oilfields so its been interesting trying to learn and navigate all of these variables and permit restrictions. It's great though!

Thanks again for the warm welcome :)

Also be aware that different divisions and products can matter. Example.... Tanker drivers especially hazmat must be on duty and in the driver's seat, prepared to assist in any spillage or issues. Thai usually results in them getting paid a higher cpm because they get less miles due to their 70 clock getting eaten.

Flatbedders are supposed to log On Duty for strapping and tarping.

You need to know the driver's responsibility to know what is correct. For many of us it is back into a dock and wait for a call so we sleep. I'm laying in bed right now getting loaded.... Sleeper. 😁

I make my own. Had to hike around town to find a good bakery. Nothing like Philly food. But I 😘 be a mile from the terminal in a new and cheap apartment. Been enjoying life

MO. I moved there right before Mom died. I was expecting for find a note in her apartment that said, "you moved and killed me. I hope u are happy". Shocked I didn't. Mom was like that.

How u liking your new surroundings?

Hahahah... No entourage. You are the one with a harem 😛

Yes I have a driver at the moment. We are on her last load then I drive solo 2000 miles back to MO.

Back to being a local CDL instructor. This snow and weather is making me really appreciate Springfield 😂

So where's the update? Flatbed and tanker do a "boot camp". You need to do the SIM defensive driving course and a bunch of Computer courses. Then you get the truck and load it all up and check out and fix any thing wrong with it.

Did u upgrade yet?

If so someone stole my mama's car😂

Canaan... Don't over analyze. We have seen plenty of people here for ver the years who make spreadsheets and talk to recruiters for months to years. Then guess what... The company they finally decided upon rejects them.. or something happens where they go there and find it impossible to stay... Whether they hated the company or they had a family issue that required a company closer to home.

Don comes to mind... Spreadsheets .. CFI... Then a couple months later needed to be closer to his sick mother.

That turns to wasted energy. Apply everywhere. See who will accept you. Then decided

There are enough of us where who have years at our companies and many various companies to give you good info.

So breathe and relax.

I was just giving it as an example that all companies will have limitations. We are not allowed Benadryl due to drowsiness. Our safety department recommends only Mucinex and Comtrex for colds over the counter.

All companies can eliminate whatever they want. Anything that causes drowsiness can create a lawsuit after an accident.

Melatonin is recommended for sleep aid.

I do about 50 to 60% drop and hook on at least one side. Yes wait times in docks are long for grocery distribution centers... You must washout the trailer before and after meat and produce loads. Many times you can get away with sweeping or leaf blowing. Meat and produce loads can take forever to load.

As for the reefer...push a button to set the temp... Fill the tank when you fuel. No big deal.

And yes... Now they driving is required due to many receivers only taking certain types of food at certain times... Ex..meat betwee midnight and 6am... Produce between 3pm and midnight. Each company has its own schedule.

The medication could be the issue. Trazadone is for anxiety and used as a sleep aid. Prime refuses that. Sometimes a company will suggest a change of meds then give you time to get stable on it before bringing you back.

Apply everywhere. Good luck

CK and I met years ago when he came to Prime. He happened to test for his CDL the day I was in the Salt Lake City terminal.

In this video he was kind enough to change my wiper blades... He is on right with his student on left