Profile For ∆_Danielsahn_∆

You are Logical?

What is logical about investing time and money in getting a CDL then allowing it to collect dust, unused for two years? It’s worth less now than it was when you got it. I’d call that foolish and defeatest.

There are students who come through here who try for all their worth, struggle mightily and still fail, never getting as far as you have. Your post is an insult to all of them and the current members going through a similar ordeal.

This isn’t something you just try to say that you did it. My advice, get serious, stop wasting your time and ours pontificating and contemplating your navel. If you haven’t carried through with this by now, it’s likely you never will.

This...

You have already made your decision, by your inaction.

Thanks for the advice Calkansan. Does anyone know anything about companies like Prime and Jim Palmer on the I5. I actually live in Orland which is like 2 miles from I5

If you want to be home weekly, Jim Palmer is not necessarily the company for you, they are mainly otr. Prime might have a regional gig to get you home, but they are primarily otr, too, I think.

This is my company...

Don Hummer Trucking

Good luck in your search.

I made it all the way to the very last turn, back into the parking lot. I impeded traffic. It was actually the best thing that could have happened. I got more time on the range, where the light bulb finally turned on for me, and my backing. I was 1 point from failing on the backing portion. The second time around, I passed with flying colors. Take the time to really look at what you need to do to help you get better.

My advice. Start calling companies. Explain your situation, and Provide proof of satisfactory completion. I am wiling to bet that a few will offer to cover the cost, and give you a chance.

On a windy day, if I am pulling an empty, make it a reefer. I pulled reefer with Swift, and I pull both, at Hummer. I prefer reefer. For some reason, it's probably just in my head, but it seems that a reefer pulls smoother.

Jeremy my advice to you is don’t sweat the Small Stuff. You know yourself, true, but I also know that if you apply all kinds of added pressure; you run the risk of burn-out.

Even keel Brother. Even keel.

Exactly this. It is easy to get caught up, and every little mistake seems that much bigger. Eventually becoming a distraction, and potential big mistake. To me, it seems like you are trying to "measure up," to Gtown, Old school, and the other vets. Stop! The only person you need to measure up to, is yourself.

You can plan out your arse, every mile, every turn, but Mr Murphy will sometimes throw a wrench into things. Don't beat yourself up, because something out of your control sent you on a scenic detour. You adapted, and overcame. You won! You just went into extra innings. 😊

There have been a few places I've delivered now where, without a GPS, I would have just been screwed. I cant possibly pack a folded map for every out-of-the-way location we deliver to across this nation. And when you can't even find the next 3 largest towns on your atlas, forget about finding the specific road this or that warehouse happens to be on.

With that said, when I see stories about people driving down the boardwalk or bajaing across a beach... Why does the GPS always get the blame? Sure, those things can be nuts (coming out of Fort something-or-another, Iowa last week, the damn thing thought I was driving through a huge corn field and kept telling me to proceed to the highlighted route!)

But the GPS gets the blame... Yet something tells me these same people proly couldn't be trusted to find the ocean if they were floating in the middle of it.

GPS is a tool. Blaming the GPS is like saying spoons make people fat. The fact that this industry (somehow) doesn't always employ the most intelligent or resourceful people somehow gets overlooked in stories like this.

I don't know... Not trying to be a troll about this. But GPS sure gets bashed alot and so far (when combined with awareness and some common sense) I've found it to be an awesome tool (most of the time.)

I've also got a Rand McNally CMV atlas I use for planning long trips. But it doesn't always have some of these smaller locales listed (they just dont have the space or it would be a 48 volume set instead of one giant book.)

Trucker GPS, Rand McNally CMV Atlas, and Google Satellite View... Now that's a tool box! 👍

I once had very similar thoughts, and then I learned the hard way. I am willing to bet we all have. Just give it time, and you will join the GPS DOH! Ranks. Only, hopefully not as bad a Dune driving, and boardwalk escapades.

That is exactly what I was doing a few minutes ago, waiting for my trailer to be finished loading. I will be driving through Nevada Today, going up to Salt Lake City.

Pet Policy - Pet must be 75lbs or less No Aggressive Breeds. (Safety determines the breed)

Must have current shots on record Deposit of $300 only $150 is refundable, the other $150 is a cleaning fee. Deducted in 2 weekly payments, starting once the pet policy agreement is signed.

Extra stop pay – 1st - $30 2nd - $40 3rd - $80 4th - $100

Detention pay - $15.00 per hour - $150/max per day

Benefits & 401K –

eligible after 60 days

Freight Characteristics –

Average Weekly Miles; 2100 – 2500 per week Top 25% of drivers can average up to 2,500 – 3,000 miles per week 85 – 90% Drop & hook – Dry van 40 – 50% Drop & Hook – Reefer 100% lumper reimbursed

Pay increases –

Penny increase every 120,000 miles OR Celadon and prior experience reaches next pay tier (I.E. Hired with 7 mos experience/.38 cpm, after 5 mos with Celadon pay will increase to .40 cpm)

Trucks/equipment –

Internation Prostars & Freightliner Cascadias (2014-2016) All come equipped with double bunks, APU’s, Inverters, & refrigerators

Vacation pay –

One week paid vacation earned every 30,000 miles

Orientation –

2.5 – 3 days

EARN UP TO 4 WEEKS VACATION IN YOUR FIRST YEAR!

1 WEEK EVERY 30K MILES PAID OUT AT $700.00 (value of an additional $.023 cpm)

YOU CHOOSE: take the money and continue to run or take the full week off with pay!

$.03 CPM FOR EVERY REEFER LOAD HAULED

Sometimes, certain topics get flagged, because of the potential for, shall we say, heated discussions.

Myself, I had a rough period, where I was moderated, and rightfully so.

I wouldn't worry about it. You be solid.

You definitely cannot go wrong with Swift. Excellent company. Good luck!

Danielsahn-

Thank you! That's good to hear. I've been looking into companies for a while and originally Swift was at the top of my list. Then I let others influence my opinion. There are entire groups and pages on Facebook dedicated to making fun of Swift and talkin trash about their drivers. After the feedback I've gotten here and a good recommendation from an acquaintance I trust who started his career with Swift and recommended them highly as a great place to start my career I feel like my opinion has changed again and I'm happy to be going there. I need to get my foot in the door and with my lack of work history their willingness to take me and work with me is what I need. I will be working very hard to be a good student and learn everything I can from my instructors and trainers. I'm going there with the mindset that my entire being will be dedicated to becoming a competent and safe driver so I can start earning and building good experience and work history. I'm excited to finally get started.

Swift does get made fun of, yes. However, I hear more people complain about other major carriers over the CB, than Swift. I have been the focus of some trash talk a few times, both when I was with Swift, and now, with Hummer, when it took me 13 pu ups, and a few goals, to back into a parking spot. Once I set the brakes, I hopped on the CB, and made light of the situation. I laugh at myself, more than anyone else does.

But keep this in mind. Focus on what you have to do. Don't worry about the noise going on around you, because that is just what it is, noise. At the end of the day, if you get from point A, to point B, and backing into the dock, or parking spot without hitting anything, then you have succeeded.

Right now just focus on what you need to do, to get your CDL. We are all here to answer questions, and offer support. There are a lot of current, and former Swift drivers here.

So just to update this for the last time. My application to Swift Transportation was accepted and I have a start date. They were willing to overlook my lack of work history and accepted me with a simple explanation that I was caring for my Grandmother and that is why I don't have on the books employment for the last few years. Start Date is set for July 23'rd.

You definitely cannot go wrong with Swift. Excellent company. Good luck!

YouTube.... Flatbed chick

Very good videos

That has happened to me before. I Was only 45 minutes from home, and had to wait for recaps to finish trip.

Recently though. I obtained permission to PC (line 5) after I was empty. From Pittsburgh, to Niagara Falls!

If you can make it to 6 months, you will have a lot more potential doors open for you. But remember, you are the captain of your truck. You run it legally, and as safe as you possibly can. If your employer tries to bully you, record EVERYTHING, whether it is in writing or via phone. Take snap shots of your daily logs. It's always better to be late, then not at all. Keep a running record everytime they try to run you illegally. Cover your keister. In many cases, your experience, will have greater weight than your past felonies.

So far, I think I prefer winter. Bugs, and construction being the 2 biggest reason. I should buy stock in windshield wiper fluid.

.... When a wheel chock falls on my foot!!! OUCH!!!

I was grabbing the broom out of my side box, and I have to move the chocks to get it out. I wasn't paying enough attention, and the brush got caught, and I pulled it right out, and onto my left foot. My steel toe boots didn't help, because it hit right behind where the toe piece starts.

OUCH!!!

There's a whole algorithm I've setup to figure out which ones you should review next. So the entire system adapts in real time to each student individually.

Hindsight is 20/20

You might have told me this before, but if you did, I wish I remembered.

You can reset it. I did a couple times, as I was preparing for my CDL.