Profile For Errol V.

I just thought of a good catch phrase for Stephanie's situation:

Would you rather be a live chicken or a dead duck?

Now, back to "idiot drivers". Many 4-wheel drivers are not familiar with that an 18-wheel truck needs (the space all around, speed/ acceleration, stopping distance, etc.). But you know these things, and you also know what a 4-wheel vehicle needs.

The difference is your have a job to do and it probably does not include said 4-wheel buggy. So you must allow for what the little vehicle needs, adjust your driving accordingly, and roll them miles. The so-called "idiot driver" is only going to be a part of your life for literally a few seconds in the Big Picture.

Hello, Jack. It sounds like you need to connect directly to the truck battery, and not use the 12v "cigarette lighter" socket in the truck. Most US trucking companies do not condone direct battery connections, so you should check with the truck owner about this.

The batteries are often located below or behind the cab, and additional wiring should be done by a professional. Bad wiring in this situation could cause a fire, and I wouldn't want to be the one to blame for that.

The inverter instructions should suggest cable sizes and lengths for your situation.

Hello Dave, welcome to Trucking Truth. For your question, check out our Trucking Truth Wiki. Touch on the three bar menu at the top left to see what we have available on this web site. Look in the Wiki articles about DOT Physical.

Prescription blood thinners should not affect your ability to drive a truck. Look for the details in the DOT Physical articles.

Dave gets pushy:

I think I can make a good go at it because I push myself really hard if it means getting something I want.

We only know stuff about you by what you wrote here. Keep in mind everyone who posts here simply want you to make the decision you can live with. We have described our impressions of the realities of the job and we push you (in a good way) to take a close look at your history, your abilities and whether you might be able to stick with it.

We all hope you'll handle MTC and USXpress, and keep at it regardless of the difficulties because you must simply keep your eyes on your prize.

Please bring anything up here, both your concerns and your successes. Trust me, we've seen it all on this forum, and we'll stay on the level in supporting you.

Another thought. Could I get my CDL license while I work a local job? Just wondering on that. It would be like killing two birds with one stone, so to speak.

Dave, there are plenty of companies that offer Paid CDL Training Programs, meaning you don't have to pay up front. However most of the hiring process happens before your school starts. This means you are all but hired when you get on the bus to go to school.

Taking a local job, even if you have a fresh CDL will be more of a waste of time than a way to get your foot in the door at a major trucking company.

From reading your later posts here, I have to ask you to take an honest look at yourself. A trucking life is not comfortable. It isn't something you do for a week or two then go home. It's possible for you to be working/driving any hour of the day or night, Monday through Sunday, in almost any weather - hot, cold, wet, dry. You'll be living in a small box right next to your "office" - the driver seat. The nearest bathroom might be 75-100 yards away in the truck stop building.

You'll most probably have a lonely life, since the only regular contact with people you know will be over the phone or texts. And the shippers and receivers you talk to may be friendly enough, but there's someone behind you who needs their papers signed, too. (It's all business).

If you can adjust to conditions like this, you just might end up with a job you can love. I'm a little harsh here, but many people come in all starry eyed, wanting to see the USA through the windshield of a big truck. You get that, certainly, but you have to put up with the whole nine yards.

Most of us on Trucking Truth have gotten to the point where we want to get into our truck, and hit the big road. And we want you to be able to enjoy the experience, too. Just be realistic about your choice.

Dave, Trucking Truth has a load of information, including it's own Trucking Wiki. In the Wiki is this article: Trucking Companies That Will Hire Felons.

Also up at the top of each page is a search bar. I entered "work record". See what I got in answer here.

Finally, just above that search bar on the left is a three-bar menu starter. Check it out.

Finally, since you are. "considering otr" and this is your first post, here's our "starter kit" of articles.

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

As Pack Rat first pointed out, the Engine Retarders (called "Jake Brakes") only work to slow down the drive axles. They have absolutely nothing to do with the truck service brakes (the air brake system you use to stop with).

So when you turn on the Jakes, there is still nothing slowing down the other axles. Then, as King Pin describes, the front of the trailer - stuck to the drive wheels - will slow down and the back end, on the (unbraked) tandems will want to literally swing around the slow moving front end.

This damage you asked about is called a jack knife. It's also called your last day of CMV driving.

In most truck companies, there is no dress code for the drivers. Personally, I wear "safety color" bright green, orange, yellow tees, jeans and good work shoes. On the road, expect anything to get dirty, you might even get some grease spots.

As Old School said, just dress neatly. In orientation you'll get more "Brownie Points" from paying attention than you will with Chinos and a button shirt.

Don't forget in packing to be ready to work in any weather, from North Dakota to South Carolina.

Good luck!!

Welcome to Trucking Truth, Frank! We have lots of information for new truck drivers, just touch on the three-bar menu in the top left to see what you can learn here.

And don't be a stranger here on the forum.

Swift's a good company. I drove for them for three years, no complaints.

What's your progress in your career? You mentioned "orientation" so I assume you have your CDL already. Road experience?

If your a trucker rookie, pack more for the road and not so much for the office. On the last (third) day off orientation you'll be assigned your trainer and should soon be on his/her truck for the next five-six weeks.

Here are packing lists for you:
Items To Bring To CDL School, Training, and OTR

The campaign is focused on truckers because these scum (the traffickers) use truck stops for food & restroom as well as lot-lizard business. There are so many transient people there.

If you want to follow up for more information, here's the link: Truckers Against Trafficking

Download a wallet card here. A quick run-down on what it is, how to recognize a trafficking situation, and what to do (Don't step in yourself!!):
TAT Wallet Card

Stephanie, it's easy to say "Well they are going through, why can't I?" and feel a little guilty about stopping. As Brett says, there will always be some drivers who don't stop regardless of weather conditions. Many times they have no real problem but you know, the chance for an accident goes way up in any kind of bad weather.

As a new driver, you be your own judge on yourself without thinking about what "others" are doing. That's the right thing: know your own capabilities. And, to be honest, be a little chicken sometimes. Your receivers will understand you'd rather be safe and deliver than sorry and stuck in a ditch with their freight.

I have heard that after all taxes and expenses taken out, you might make a bit more than a company driver....

But in the end people do what they want to do.

I think one factor some Owners might like is that as an Independent Contractor they can say they have earned every penny in their pocket. For some people that bit of self reliance is important.

(Earth to drivers: unless you have done something illegal, you have earned every penny in your pocket!!)

Re-posting the source url: https://photos.truckingtruth.com/pics/ 61275/0837547001512786620.jpg

Getting out popcorn isn't really a good idea, but sometimes it must be done.

Brett, as usual, you are spot on. Now, where is that popcorn emoji?

This emoji is in Trucking Truth's picture bank.

Location: https://photos.truckingtruth.com/pics/61275/0837547001512786620.jpg

Maybe Brett can add it to the Smiley library.

Good thing you say to use a broom, I'll probably have a mess to clean up after trying!

Use a mop and practice in the kitchen. Your wife may love it!

With your toy truck, the front end (where you steer) is being pulled around, while the back end simply follows and takes a bit of a short cut, called "off tracking". A fork lift is actually the opposite. The steering happens at the back and simply changes the "aim" of the whole truck.

Here's a good video on how truck turns are made (15 minutes): Turns in a Big Rig

I do recommend "playing with" the toy truck so you get an idea how it all works. Another thing you might try, hold the end of a broom stick next to your waist, drag the "broom end" around behind you. Now walk around the room, and do not hit/ touch any of the furniture or door jambs!

I can only imagine your Homeowners Association may have some rule about it. Now if you don't have an HOA, and your driveway can handle the load, you may be in luck.

Neighborly relations is another thing, though. Talk it over with them - how often you'll be parking, and for how long. Things like that.

Ian, the key is "ownership". You need to realize that you were the one holding the wheel at the time of the accident. That means it's on you, not the company or anyone else. As others have said, you need to be the judge of your abilities, and no amount of research will get you a reasonable explanation, other than you were tired at that moment.

but I didn't know I was fatigued at the time so it did me no good

That is an interesting phrase. When you start your shift, everything is fine, but later on you become tired. I'm not looking back to make sure, but I don't recall any time hacks in your incident. Was this 2am or 2pm but you didn't get any sleep (as in "irregular sleep schedule")? Regardless, when you do realize it isn't a good idea to continue, as the dotted lane lines lull you into drowsiness, that's the time to pull into a safe area and take some Z's. No dispatcher can argue about it. They can ask why you didn't get enough sleep ahead of time, but they can't say anything if you decide to pull in just then. (Being drowsy when by all other rights you should be awake is another ball of wax.)

The bad news is there no TT way to contact any other member other than posting in the forum like you did.

IM/PM in Trucking Truth was taken down several years ago because of some abuse of the system. A few rotten apples ....