Comments By Julian Ellison

Hey all,

Why exactly are big rigs governed? I've heard some are set at 62, 65, etc, and frankly, that just doesn't make sense to me. Obviously, the fuel savings, but in areas like Minnesota (where i'm from) I-94 from the twin cities to Fargo, ND is 70mph. All those trucks going 8mph under the limit could create a hairy situation for a distracted driver going 70, 75, even 80mph as some four wheelers do.

Is this only exclusive to company trucks? Or is it a federal mandate? I know for a fact i've seen trucks keeping up with, and overtaking four wheelers. Even staying in the left lane for many, many miles. What gives?

Side note, do truckers get pulled over for speeding? Can't say i've ever seen a truck pulled over except for by the state patrol, and I just assume it's a level one inspection because the trooper is bored.

Thanks, and stay safe out there.

Not sure about Texas, but in North Dakota where the oil boom is happening, i've spoken to multiple energy companies that hire water haulers up there and they are receiving in excess of 150 applications a day. You better hope you have some experience to set yourself apart from the crowd in that field

So yesterday I was sitting at a rest area outside Maple Grove, MN trying to get some sleep in my car, to no avail. So i step out to have a cigarette in the wee hours of the morning, and i noticed there was a Werner Enterprises tractor-trailer parked by all the other big rigs. I just got pre-hired by them last week, and I never saw one on the road before. Also, I'm a firm believer in the fact that recruiters can be very dishonest people, and I had just spoken to one roughly a week and a half ago, So I have been really eager to talk to a driver and see what it was really like to work for them. Imagine my surprise when the trucker got out to do his pre trip. Perfect opportunity! Who better to talk to than someone actually on the road? So after about 5 minutes of courage summoning, I went over and talked to him. Nicest guy ever! Gave me a lot of useful information. Everything from how much showers cost to what life on the road is like, and what it's like to be a team driver. He reassured a lot of my doubts about the company and all the negative things I had heard on the internet forums, and reaffirmed my belief that trucking is going to be an awesome career for me. The coolest thing was, this guy was a former Marine Recruiter who only started trucking roughly 4 months ago, so he was in the same spot I am not too long ago. Who would have thought a simple conversation at 6:15 in the morning could do so much? I can't wait for CDL school to start in 12 days

Thanks for the replies, All!

I did some more research into my driving record. The fact still remains that I got 3 tickets last year. However, I called the school admissions department and asked them to look at the MVR they pulled when I enrolled (they won't let you enroll if you have too many violations or even one severe one) and this is when I got the best news i've gotten all year...Only one ticket stuck to the MVR!

Thanks to Brett for the advice on the Pre-Hire Process. I've actually already applied at Werner. No, I don't graduate for a little more than 4 months, but I want to get the process started ASAP. Plus, they use electronic logs, so there's a slim to none chance a dispatcher could force me to drive over my hours (which i've read some do). Out of all the companies i've called so far, they seem like the best ones to work for.

I have new hope for my job search with only one ticket vs 3. Thanks again for all the advice :)

Yup....it always amazed me that a simple thing like poppy seeds would test so close to pot, and yet didn't have any effects. Makes all the hype about THC kinda suspect. But I've never gotten high off of poppy seed muffins...and I quit doing drugs back in the 60's....

Actually, Drug Screens test for a multitude of drugs, not just THC. Usually it's a 5-panel screen. The poppy seed muffins would have triggered the opiate test. That muffin had to have been LOADED with the seeds to test positive for opiates. Either that, or the threshold was far too low.

Back to the original question though. There are several "labs" out there that hospitals, clinics, etc send the samples to for analysis. As long as you're clean on this one, you'll be good. There is no record, public or private, of passed or failed drug screens. Unless you're on Probation, than your P.O. keeps a record, but it stays in a file and can't be given to anyone without written consent from you.

Pretty sure you're in the clear

Hello all.

I actually found this website while looking for reviews on trucking companies (as great as internet reviews can be :/) and it's been nothing but a blessing for a new guy who's brand new to the industry and waiting to start CDL school through the local tech college in 27 days (and counting).

As i've been driving, i've been paying more and more attention to the big rigs driving down the road. Being that my goal is to drive over the road, i've been calling different companies that advertise on their trucks for company drivers and asking them general questions about routes, equipment, etc. Finally, I ask them about their policy on hiring drivers with previous moving violations. My general understanding before I started calling all these places was that most companies would hire you if you have 3 moving violations or less, with the exception of DUI/DWI, Hit and Run, etc. In 2012 I got 3 speeding tickets on my motorcycle, none of which were over 10mph over the posted limit. I started just setting the cruise on my car for the speed limit, knowing I was at the limit and risking unemployment if I got another. Haven't gotten another moving violation since. Now, the companies I talk to are saying that with a new trainee, they like to see a next to spotless MVR.

Am I wasting my time going to trucking school? How many Moving Violations can you actually get before you're automatically DQ'd? What companies would I look to start out in being that I just want to drive OTR that would accept 3 moving violations in the last 3 years?

Thanks in advance for your replies. Keep on Truckin.

Julian