Profile For Big Scott

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Yesterday, the drive shaft fell out of our service truck on 85N in SC. It wasn't fun for our driver. Thankfully nobody was hurt

If you're on paper you might not be able to do anything OTR. Maybe regional.

I don't think it would be bad to start with tanker if you could get it. Food grade and some chemical tanks are smooth bore with more slosh. Most fuel tankers have compartments. We only haul red dyed diesel and our tanks have baffles those lower the slosh. Paying attention and not making sudden moves will help in all aspects of trucking. Get in where you can. You have the hardest label to deal with but you can do it.

Best wishes for your success.

By the way, someone once told me I would never make it a truck driver. I thanked them for that motivation.

That's a very personal decision. I had to get off the road for several reasons with number one being not making money. I needed a steady paycheck. I found that and I'm very happy where I am. If you want the exercise then food delivery, ie Sysco, will give you plenty. I don't know how much exercise fuel delivery will get you.

Great to see you again and best of luck.

Thankfully, I work at night and in addition to local law enforcement, there is the railroad police as well. Some of the yards are secure and some are so large they they offer their own protection. Also, most are off the beat and path. I don't worry to much. I have enough to worry about.

Anytime you get backed in between the lines, without hitting anything, is a great job. Keep up the good work.

Make sure you're not sitting to low. Adjust the seat so your legs are bent at 90 degrees. Many truck seats have adjustable seats, the part you sit on can be moved forward for better leg support. I had a Purple seat cushion and back support. Try a cushion. You can also take short breaks and walk a bit to stretch out. You can also try stretching before you drive. You have to see what works for you.

Good luck.

His after expenses numbers do not take into account taxes and health insurance. As a company drive making 40 CPM it is possible to take home $1000.00/week sometimes. There is not really a regular paycheck per week while OTR. Your first year solo is all about learning. As you improve, your speed does. You will need to learn clock management, backing and more. How do things like that affect a new driver. For example a new driver might take 30 minutes to get into a dock door, while and experienced drive might do it in 5 minutes. 25 minutes faster getting unloaded means moving on faster.

There is so much to learn driving, navigating, backing and more.

I would not advise leasing without a minimum of 3 years experience. By that time you've had time to learn the business.

Best wishes to you.

A company may make their rules. I have my company rules and Norfork Southern company rules to follow. In my case we have our regular yards to hit and are always on call. We work 12 hours per shift and get paid by the hour.

I do not believe a company can require what you do on a break. However, they can require breaks to be off duty.

OTR and in this job I have had to pull over and take a power nap. Everyone is different.

I drove OTR for about 8 years and now have a home daily local job. While applying for local jobs, one problem I had was zero route driving experience. Most dock to driver programs will have you on the dock loading and unloading trailers. This is done with forklifts, pallets jacks and or by hand. Then you will be learning the driving part. Usually the day will be both parts. Some local positions require unloading at the customers, this would be done by hand, hand truck or pallet jack. If you would rather travel the country then company paid training is the way to go. Many companies have these programs. You should be aware that many of these starter companies are not hiring or not hiring as much right now. This could change by the end of the year.

I assumed you would rather start local. As stated above, this could be more difficult but not impossible. Many people start this way and have successful careers.

I would have gladly started that way, however when I was getting into trucking, none of the local companies were offering them.

Keep us posted.