Comments By Crawdaddy

I would also add to check your routing really carefully for the next week and if you see something that might turn into an issue like that let dispatch know and they might route you around it. For example if I was in Louisiana and I saw my routing took me right through were all the protests were happening I would call dispatch and tell them and see if I can route around it.

I understand if you have advanced notice. But say like now where trucks are traveling down the interstate say like you are traveling 55 and come to a stop in the middle of the interstate due to this issue.

I would think that you would probably get in trouble for running over people, as tempting as it may be. So I wouldn't chance it. You don't want to kill your CDL with a reckless driving charge, unlikely but then again the law usually doesn't make sense.

You can extend your 14 hour clock due to an unforseen circumstances but I don't have proof that this will work for this situation. Back when this law was written we didn't have morons walking on interstates burdening folks who have nothing to do with what their mad about so I'm not sure.

If it does happen though, immediately notify dispatch and write the time that you were delayed from beginning to end.

I ask this, because, I will be a trucker driver soon and would like to know what my options are in this case. I don't want to be in a situation like this, as a newbie, and not have an idea what to do. If a truck drivers life is in danger, such as the case here and they are hopping and climbing on the front of your truck. Trying to violently attack it would seem to me to be self defense in protecting company equipment as well as protect your shipper and customers freight.

With all the black Lives matter, all lives matter movements. What can be done in the case of people block the interstate such as what has been going on in Memphis, Tn. Do trucks have a right to drive through that and get away? Are they stuck until the people clear? How does that affect HOS for the drivers? Does anyone have anything to contribute on this matter and how it will impact our ability to do our jobs now and in the future? Maybe anything as far as from the trucking companies perseceptive, owner operators, and the company drivers themselves?

So this is a question for the team drivers ... Do you ever wake up feeling dizzy, disoriented, or have a massive headache? If you do, you know the cause? I've been curious to why i feel this way and i believe it may just be blood rushing to my head or altitude sickness, answers would help

One thing that may not have been thought about is carbon monoxide poisoning. It may be causing these problems as it has similar effects. I might look into possible exhaust leaks coming into the cab. Carbon monoxide is a colorless and odorless gas. It may be way of but it never hurts to check.

Thanks for everyone's wisedom. I do not plan on taking one, I was just curious to see what the concensus was. It has been a while since I have drove a truck and trying to stay current with all the new regulations and policies. This is my passion and I will be a commercial truck driver. I do not feel insecure. I do not have to have a weapon and I will not be putting my job on the line for it. Just like having a chat about different ideas. Thanks again. It has been fun seeing all the different comments.

Don't act like a victim and you will be just fine. If you are aware of your surroundings and know what is going on around you, you have a better chance of winning the lottery or getting hit by lightning. There are millions of truckers on the road and you hear about one maybe two a year that are killed by some random criminal. This should be the least of your worries.

You have a lot of weapons at your disposal. Anything that you can pick up can become a weapon.

If you are that insecure, walk with a cane. Instant weapon.

It's not that I feel insecure, I just feel more comfortable as I have been carrying one for years.

Been carrying and teaching for decades. ALL COMPANIES have a "no weapons" policy. It is a FIRING OFFENSE.

I hear what you're saying, being a carrier, instructor, gunsmith/armorer.

Wanna drive? Gotta leave the gat at home, or risk your career. Getting caught (and fired) will put a black mark on your record you will never overcome.

This is without getting into the various laws from state to state (especially ones where you have no reciprocity), and states where having a firearm in a rig (or car for that matter) will put you in handcuffs.

And from a "political" standpoint, don't expect the climate for firearms to get much better in the future.

Rick

What are companies doing to ensure that their drivers are safe? Do they provide any protection against criminals or a really you just a sitting duck?

Don't act like a victim and you will be just fine. If you are aware of your surroundings and know what is going on around you, you have a better chance of winning the lottery or getting hit by lightning. There are millions of truckers on the road and you hear about one maybe two a year that are killed by some random criminal. This should be the least of your worries.

You have a lot of weapons at your disposal. Anything that you can pick up can become a weapon.

If you are that insecure, walk with a cane. Instant weapon.

It's not that I feel insecure, I just feel more comfortable as I have been carrying one for years.

As a commercial truck driver, am I allowed to carry a concealed weapons or open carry for protection depending on the state? If not, what are my choices for self-defense?

I'm grateful for the responses I'll do more research on the companies and make a decision with a week or so

Thanks again

Brett has other possibilities under company sponsored schools on here.

I have decided to get my cdl and need cdl training narrowed my choices down to 2 companies swift pam

Which one should I go with?

Brian C. If I were you I would do a little more research. There are soo many companies out there that are willing to send you through driving school or reimburse you for it. Also, the CDL school route might be the way to go. I am going through a school not associated with any trucking company, due to the fact I don't want there to be any contract that I am obligated to. Once I start to attend school I will be getting a lot of pre-hires that I can sift through and it allows me to at least have some control over my career and future. Like Brett said the type of freight and if you want to be diverse in learn to haul different freight. I was once an OTR but since it has been so long I have to start from the bottom up. Hope this helps.