Comments By Unholychaos

"After you land a job you go out with a trainer. Why? Because you still don't have a clue yet."

This is what I'm looking forward to! Any new person (including myself) would be a complete fool to not take advantage of that knowledge that's sitting there.

I actually requested a 2nd round of training because, after the first trainer, I STILL didn't have a clue! After the 2nd trainer, I had at least some idea of what I was doing, but still, didn't really have a clue until I actually started really doing it on my own.

When you're forced to think for yourself and make your own decisions; that's when you learn the most.

I'm a Schneider, so....................... yeah!

Brett, admittedly this is the first time I've listened to one of your podcasts, so please don't be offended by my next statement. Wow, that is definitely not how I pictured your voice sounding when I read your posts!

I would say any system that rewards people based upon their performance is a fair but unequal system. The best performers get the best pay and treatment while the underperformers make less money and get fewer perks. That's fair treatment, but it's certainly not equal treatment.

This is what makes this industry great in my opinion. If everyone were treated equally, top tier drivers and bottom tier drivers, then there would be absolutely no reason to strive to better ourselves in this industry. Recently, I was talking to one of the DBL's of my branch (my main DBL doesn't work on Mondays...) who informed me that I was #4 out of approximately 150 drivers in our branch based on scorecard performance (the thing we use to determine quarterly bonuses based on a few different metrics). My first inside reaction was, "Wow! I must be doing a good job!" My first spoken reaction was, "What did the 3 other drivers above me do better at?"

Being involved in band in high school, I learned early on that friendly competition is a great way to improve your own capabilities; I was 3rd chair of the trumpet section, I knew the 2 in front of me were better, but only marginally. The 3 of us were back n forth challenging each other for the next spot up. It didn't make a difference who was where as we all played the 1st trumpet part, it was mostly about striving to be the best. This is the same concept in trucking; striving to be better than who's higher ranked than you may not IMMEDIATELY pay out in terms of mileage, but improving your abilities AND showing your superiors your drive to improve, even when you appear to be doing great already.

It seems obvious to me that a company with thousands of brand new trucks must have enough freight to utilize those trucks efficiently. It also seems obvious to me that any company that has remained at an elite level for a long time must be very well managed.

My first ever encounter with Trucking Truth was when I was doing research on different companies. This site's trucking company reviews section really helped my decision in choosing Schneider as my first and, for the foreseeable future, only company (of course my uncle being a Schneider driver (O/O) helped as well). The metrics this site provided that helped the most were: number of trucks, number of trailers, average yearly miles, and average yearly revenue. Seeing those big numbers made me believe that this company will have a lot of freight, so I shouldn't have any problems getting work. Sure enough, after a few months of proving myself, I consistently get good miles, I'm bringing home a relatively good paycheck every week, and I have a great relationship with my DBLs.

Straightforward question. Can apply to pretty much anything that we sacrifice from our previous life at home while being on the road.

This thought came to my mind when I had to wake up in the middle of the night DESPERATELY needing to use the restroom. One thing I really miss about sleeping in my own bed at home is the the luxury of having a bathroom within arms reach. I hate the fact that I have to wake up, get dressed, and have my head about me to walk across a truck stop (usually from the spot furthest from the building) just to use the restroom. By the time I finish my business and back to my truck, it takes a little bit to fall back asleep. Pro tip: Don't eat too much Taco Bell before turning in for the night.

43,500 Coca Cola Products to Walmart DC at Los Lunas, NM.

Walmart moved like they had a propellor in their ass and got me unloaded in an hour.

Nice little 800 mile run.

You sir have found a genuine unicorn!

I don't know how much wisdom I can offer, other than agreeing with PackRat on the apples to oranges comparison. If driving a garbage truck is your main goal, then I'd personally go with that as it directly relates to your ultimate goal. I will, however, suggest that you take my opinion with a grain of salt. Other more experienced and knowledgeable minds on this forum would probably give more sound advice with better reasons than I could.

I presume that truck drivers are allowed to be aware of what is going into their trucks

Yes we do, however, if it's a presealed trailer, there's no way of verifying that inside the trailer is legal unless we get permission from the shipper to look inside. I picked up a preloaded out of a DC in Laredo TX and had to go through the xray machine at the northbound inspection site. I already inspected I could see on the outside, but I had no idea what was inside. I got through no problems.

But that does a question. Would it be professional to ask a shipper to inspect the inside of a preloaded trailer? In the eyes of the shipper, I would see that as a, "do you not trust us" kind of thing.

Why not down 87 to Bruckner? That’s a truck route.

That was what my QC wanted me to go, but I had a note on the place with directions that didnt make any sense; incorrect street names, use of the term "zig-zag" (I mean really, directions needs actual names of streets!!). In the end, I went with what the receiver finally provided.

After 2 hours of back n forth with 2 DMs and an unhelpful receiver who said "just follow your GPS," I made it here 30m late. We FINALLY got a hold of someone who actually knew the truck routes. I-95 to I-895 S to Westchester Ave, straight to Whitlock ave, to Buckner, to 149th st.

Imagine the amount of times I said the F word this morning at 0100 when I saw this...

Made my prior delivery in North Bergen NJ, which was stressful enough. Now I'm waiting in our drop lot in South Kearny killing time, waiting until 0800 rolls around so I can call my DM about this. I'll do it, the back doesn't look too challenging, just ugh....

Any tips on NYC driving? I'm being routed on I-95 across the GW to I-87 S to exit 1 then making a few turns to Bruckner Blvd then right to 149th st, following that around to Oak Point Ave.