Profile For MC1371

Well, the up's would be being active and productive again. Not to mention just getting out of the house! Seriously, not to whine too much but the first few months just sucked. Couldn't do anything. Just walking around the house was a process.

Current negative issues. Just getting back in driving shape (650mi runs are fun but murder on the joints). Then the added joy of replacing equipment and the like. Everything from safety vest, T.V., C.B., blankets, pillows etc etc. You get the idea.

All in all not bad and I have a renewed dedication to fitness and diet.

As a general rule, the closer to home you stay, the safer the load and the easier to drive the less money you make.

As always there are exceptions but if you're just driving a box truck around town you're looking at hourly pay between $15-$22 an hour.

Well after almost a full year parked I'm back on the road! Two vertebrae compression fractures, assorted bumps bruises etc. Lots of physical therapy, kyphoplasty and here we are. 1st week back and over 2500 logged!

Now to the how... An excellent example of how even the most innocuous of actions can grab you. I choked on a drink of coffee... That's it, pulled a swig, went down the wrong pipe, blacked out for a moment and my life took a serious turn. ***Nobody other than myself was injured in the accident!

Nikola? Weren't they basically busted for "fraud" Their rolling video was of an unpowered truck rolling down a hill. And their press model was basically a cobbled together model that was plugged into an external source to make the lights work.

**Note, I'm not anti alt tech/fuels but last I'd heard GM basically cut these guys off.

Without knowing you personally and your goals/desires almost impossible for anyone to give you a realistic recommendation.

Thank you!!! Been looking for that chart for awhile

Obviously Kearney, is an out of touch imbicile. Someone sold him the bill of goods on the simulator and he thinks it's a game changer.

Wrong! Simulators are nice toys, and a safe way to throw some scenarios at drivers as a training aid. But they definitely should not be even considered in a recruiting pitch.

1. Money. 2. Lifestyle and how it can put more money in your pocket. 3. Company culture. *Not a number, dispatch/DM knows your name. Not left out in the cold "waiting on the word". 4. Options. Local, LTL, Regional, OTR in the house. 5. Realistic home time for new drivers.

Tell the truth. If recruiting new drivers, have a plan, show them the plan.

*Not picking on any specific carrier! Ads that say earn up to $98k per yr. $10k hiring bonus are usually fantasy numbers.

Actually have a driver development plan, show it to new potential hires. If you do XY and Z, you should be able to make minimum of $xx.xx.

A millenial much less an Gen X, is not going to be impressed with a truck simulator that looks like its running on a PS2.

*Annoying is driving a 75mph truck behind a 65mph truck passing a 64.5mph truck.

Annoying to you perhaps, but the 65mph truck has just as much of a right to pass as anyone else. The 75mph truck isn't entitled to any special treatment. If you let that kind of stuff get to you, you're in the wrong business.

Apologies you misread my "Annoyance" Think more of a sigh of resignation...

When they're done I'll be back on my merry way without a second thought.

Truly annoyed is reserved for governed trucks blitzing through construction zones. (Think I-39 in Wisc). Or any other reduced speed zone where they think they're getting somewhere faster. Hey it's their ticket and points so more power to them. 9 times out of ten I'll run them down a few miles later anyways.

BTW been awhile since I've been here. Not trying to come across as "SuperTrucker". I learned plenty of patience when I started and found it much more relaxing to chill at 63/64 in the average not that big a difference on the miles you could pull in a day. Faster trucks really only matter in the midwest/west (CA,OR,WA,MT excluded). Then putting down an extra hundred miles in the day means another 1.5 hours saved.

It's not always a conscious decision. Lots of fleets with 65 governors on them. They lock it in and forget it. Now depending on load and road grade theyll yoyo up and down. Back when I was driving for a mega it was easier and less stressful to lock at 63 and just let everyone pass.

*Annoying is driving a 75mph truck behind a 65mph truck passing a 64.5mph truck.

And has been discussed repeatedly. If you're in the right lane and have a creeper trying to pass. Back off and let them go.

I'm on board with autos as well now. As a regular in the Chicago area its brought my stress and exhaustion levels way down.

The one thing I was concerned about I figured out how to do this past winter. *Rocking out of an ice/snow patch. (Its a slower, methodical process than using manual.)

Say hi to Ronny if he's still around.

Bigger companies (some, at least) are caring less and less about you. All they want is your butt in that seat. Smaller companies are, on the other hand, getting better and better

Somebody's been spending too much time on the other forums. The top tier drivers here work for multiple different companies and yet none of them have mentioned how they're being mistreated. Amazing how doing ones job the most effective, SAFE way are treated differently.

Preach Brother!

In full disclosure, when I hit my one yr mark with Swift I shopped around.

2 of the companies on that list said "Sorry, we can't match what you're making now".

But before it looks like I'm bashing anyone. Were all different and have different goals, wants and needs.

I've gotten used to running regional, the pay is solid, and I rarely have to interact with anyone in the office.

Top 25 last year Top 25 refrigerated carriers

Ah, finally someone kinda normal.

I was thinking of joining Palmer just so I could track down Ally and put a sock in her mouth.... (the singing narrative drove me nuts)

Glad you made it here Susan. Just wish I could have convinced you last Jan.

Almost every mistake you've made this past year has been covered here.

I know you'll get something. Just going to have to be patient a little longer.

BTW dumb question. Did they give you the option of going back to the Company side? You had a couple of bumps, but no worse than some of the knuckleheads they keep around. Yup, you were in over your head with the lease but that shouldn't make completely untouchable.

Bryan, my excitement hit home today. Today was my first day at SWIFT Lewiston, ID. It was just like everyone on here said it would be. Bunch of folks left without even doing the drug test when they found out SWIFT officially started their hair test today. It was kind of funny really. So yes they do both for those who are wondering. I'm in a special situation because i'm on vacation from my other job. So if SWIFT doesn't want me I still have my old job to fall back on. I don't know if I'll do the diary or not because I think it's been pretty well established what to expect thanks to this site.

Good luck to you

That has to be an awesome place to train! Can't think of a better place to learn how to run a hill.

Serah, Just saw this.

**When you get odd ones like this, double check with your DM. Most of Swift scheduling is computer modeled. It may very well be you have a large pick up and delivery window.

Unless it's called out as JIT or strict window (Target-Wal-Mart-Amazon) you might have a larger cushion to work with so you're not forced into an 8/10 or pushing excessively hard to make it.

I'm one of the weirdos that likes to drive with the window down... So hot it is.

Do NOT use the trailer brake lever to "drift" the trailer through corners!!

Think everyone else got the basics.

"Never" is the best time to try this...seriously?

G-town, Just a little levity. Don't want people getting too bunged up.

One thing to know, plan, adjust.

Another to stress out about the million variables.

I am with Melton but thanks for your reply. The biggest issue I have is annotating fuel stops and going to sleeper/off duty. I have also been known to log 2-3 hour post trips hahaha.

If you are with Swift remember they all come in pairs, and in order.

1. Arrived Shipper 2. Loaded.

3-4 Additional Stops.

5. Arrived Final 6. Empty

For the "on duty" notes turn off the truck at every stop, this will automatically put you in on duty and stop your drive clock. *Just remember to add, pickup, fuel, delivery pre/Post trip

"Post Trips" set the timer on your phone for 30min. As long as you shut off the truck you'll be in on duty status. Maybe find different chime sounds for 30min break, post trip.

The fuel one.. You'll get used to after time. It was my number one miss when I started.. Got a "Safety Reminder" about them. *I thought I was covered by just having the On Duty status when I turned off the truck.