Comments By Last Shadow

Do more research on them, last I read they were consolidating to fewer terminals, I don't know if that's a good sign, again do your due diligence on finding out the route the company is heading.

I am considering Celadon company sponsored CDL training and TDI private school. Obviously both routes have pros and cons. In reviewing the TT forums, I don't see any recent comments about Celadons training. Does anyone have recent experience? I want to make the best, most informed decision. Any advice appreciated

As a rookie, I thought I was going to be able to take showers everyday, I mean my trainer did it right!!, wrong, when I first got my truck solo I felt Like I was in a hurry all the time, I think I took 2 showers my 1st week, learning how to plan is essential, lesson learned.

What are some unrealistic expectations that either you had, or you heard from new drivers entering trucking? Things new drivers assume but aren't true.

1). After CDL school one could go solo with a local job

2) A CDL is a meal ticket and will get you a job anywhere right out of CDL school--if the school accepted you all companies will too.

3). No night driving

4) All drop and hooks

5) company paid hotels every night

What are some others we see that just aren't true statements?

I thought about a couple of Brett's blogs and some past unrealistic posters. Here's one link

Guy frustrated with Everything

I worked for WM, in the summer you'll missed the AC, that's all I got to say about that, there a good company, by the book, but I came back to my AC truck, good luck.

Find the episode of undercover boss for WM and take a look at their job. It might entail a whole lot more than you expected.

True, its exaggerated for TV, but I'm sure some of it is real. Good lucj

That's awesome big Scott, remember driving the most miles you can possibly drive safely and legally upfront will make you an excellent driver, one more thing NEVER be late to your appointments that tells your dispatch what kind of driver you are, there is only two kinds in the industry the un-reliable and the reliable, your efforts, trip planning, motivation, and attitude will determine that for you.

7-14-17: Today I just drove and drove. I wanted to get as close to my delivery as possible. If I didn't hit a snag requesting home time while on my 30 minute break I could have gone further. I did run out my 14 and shutdown with about 15 minutes left. Just looked at my E logs for today and I drove........651.1 miles. I'm 72 miles from my final. An easy drive tomorrow morning.

Very discourage about the treatment of our trucking brothers in the port, surely that's not the only place it's happening.

As is typical - the article lists some issues - but kinda misses the mark.

The retailers (aside from their private fleets, which actually pay pretty well - WalMart, etc.), are paying a totally separate entity to transport goods. How RESPONSIBLE ARE THEY in reality, for the way these carriers deal with their employees. So I don't think the onus of the problem is the retailer's fault, regardless of how the byline tries to make them responsible.

What I really see here - is an indictment of the FORCED LEASING PRACTICES of companies that operate out of Cali ports. In theory, running containerized cargo out of a port, should be pretty easy work. In reality, the wait times can be just as insane as the worst shippers/receivers in OTR work. With CARB really being a PITA on emissions - companies have to replace their fleets, and the easiest way to do it is - FORCED LEASE.

I can say this from experience, as I've ACTUALLY WORKED in my local port (Port Everglades) as a member of the Longshoremans Union (running a yard mule hauling containers and a "TopLoader" container handler). While they put a "dedicated gang" on a ship at the pier (usually 2 Cranes, 8 TT's and 4 Container Handlers) to get the ship loaded/unloaded - there's typically only 4 Container Handlers loading/unloading boxes for the trucks coming in/out of the port. Which means lines and waits to get or drop your box.

So if you are leasing and sitting for extended periods of time - you are going to get SCREWED.

Rick

A combination of garmin and MY ONE 20, which is a free truckers only gps that you can download in your iPhone also works, I have use both together and never had n issue.

Ok well with the company I work for the qualcomm usually takes the cheapest route to the destination, no tolls, etc which can sometimes be a real pain with some backroads we have to go on, but if we divert from the suggested route it counts as out of route miles. My question is, do the stand alone gps systems aka rand macnally, garmin, etc. Give you the cheapest route to go, the most efficent route, or quickest route to go and do they also give you multiple route choices? And I dont solely rely on this just as another tool to use to make things as smooth as possible. If there is a thread on this type of question please let me know and i will read up on it.

Personally I love pulling a reefer, I've been doing it for a year now, I usually drive at nights, I have found out it's easier n you don't deal with traffic jams, I never have parking problems anywhere cuz there is always space in d TS or RS, its cooler to sweep your trailer or warm d reefer if it's a chilly night, on the live loads/unloads I either take a nap do paperwork, or watch a movie, either way I get detention pay, I can really work my 70 HOS, it's a great job, I am able to never take short cuts, and really learn and maintain my skills, the only hazards at night are animals on the road, but staying focus helps me stay safe and recognize the potential dangers way ahead of the road, reefer life, I was born for it.

Im currently debating between reefer and flatbed..i kno flat bed is usually home on weekends but can someone tell me what hours a reefer driver usually works..im trying to avoid over night driving..thanks

I'm old school and don't matter what I read or what someone tells me about automatic trucks, I'm petrified the day my company changes me to an automatic.

The first time I drove a stick was at school. I had never driven a Manual truck before. But some reason I learned fast. And i miss it. Hauling tankers I thought having an auto would be smother ride. It's not. The transmission shifts like a new guy is slamming gears. Don't even get me started on how it handles hills.

Yeah get that taken care of quick, is pretty hot in most States this time of the year, good luck.

You can turn on the cruise control to make the truck fast idle at 750 or 800 rpm. That will usually override the auto shutoff.

It's hot and you need sleep. If the fast idle doesn't work, I would talk to your FM about getting a hotel (if you're company). Also, there are rigmaster shops some places. Try calling Roadside to see if you're near one or will be passing near one. There's a great place in Houston that can fix any APU, for example.

Take the good with the bad, that's what I tell myself when I have such day, a prayer in the morning doesn't hurt either, hang in there guys things will get better, they have to.

Awful! That is a bad start! You're the second person today that's told us they've been having bad luck lately. Maybe it's something in the air?

Note to circus performers: No high wire acts this week. Postponed. Luck reserves have run dry.

Hang in there! Hopefully they'll get that truck fixed up, you'll get on a good schedule in the right freight lanes, and you'll be running your brains out before you know it.