Comments By Aces-N-eights (Dale)

So when I first posted about being a drive away driver I had many questions, well after two weeks I can answer questions. If anyone has questions send me a PM and I will give my cell number is someone has several questions.

What is Drive away?

In a nutshell, any vehicle that needs to be moved from point A to point B that requires a cdl and in some cases does not.

Who do you work for?

I am 1099 independent contractor, some drivers work for several companies I'm focused on one company for now.

whats the pay?

All CDL drivers are between .50 cpm and .75 cpm depending on the truck even if it doesn't require a cdl .............non cdl drivers make .45 cpm

So it's like being an O/O?

Yes and no....the company pays for fuel/ tolls and on longer runs will pay 50 dollars a night for hotel room. If I want to take a week off I can. To stay on the company books they ask you drive 600 miles a month.

How many miles are you getting?

first week was 1800 this week 2300

How do you get paid?

You can get an advance of 275 a day and at the end of each run you submit all receipts for fuel and tolls and approved hotels. you keep the originals to claim on taxes. you receive your payment 2 days after you submit your paperwork.

How do you get from one load to another?

Lots of drivers use greyhound, rental cars (sometimes paid by company) or use a tow car.

What do you drive?

So far a Fed ex van non cdl, a 26 ft custom box truck, a firetruck, and a few sleeper cabs. The box truck had the most miles at 2000 the Van had 30 miles.

Anything else we should know?

I'm enjoying it so far, making over 1000 a week clear and there is no force dispatch so I have a say in where I go and when.

PLEASE NOTE THERE ARE SEVERAL COMPANIES DO THIS KIND OF WORK BUT DON'T PAY AS WELL AND HAVE A POOR TRACK RECORD, MY COMPANY HAS PEOPLE THAT HAVE WORKED FOR THEM FOR 15 YEARS.

Again any questions post them here and send me a pm

Not sure if there is confusion or not on the term "drive-away". The job is basically picking up a truck (firetruck, cargo truck, semi truck cab, large bus) at point A and driving to point B. Could be 300 miles could be 2000 miles, could have a sleeper berth or not. You are 1099 so you pay for fuel and lodging if there is no sleeper berth. I have found some companies that pay 1.30 a mile down to .44 cents per mile but they pay for all expenses. It seems the way to make the most money is to buy a cheap yet reliable tow car in order to get to the next load quicker. I kinda did the yea yea head shake to the guy when he said that but when I said three weeks a month I mean take a week off per month. Just wondering if anyone here had done this type of work, I would say it can't hurt to try but I would be giving up a six figure job so I can move out of this hell hole known as sin city.

Haven't been around in a long time, I have been driving Prevost tour buses in Las Vegas to the Grand Canyon and making money hand over fist..... however I'm sick of the crime in this city and I'm thinking of moving to Wausau, WI, I spent 4 years there and ready to go back. However because I haven't drove a tractor-trailer combo in a year and a half I'm finding it difficult to find a trucking job..... except Drive-away jobs... after doing research I have found the driver is like an O/O in that you have to pay for fuel and lodging and food.... But I talked to one guy making 65k a year working 3 week a month. Has anyone had experience in the field? will it hurt me in the trucking world in the long run?

It's true Celadon does not teach you the pre-trip. however by the time you get to the range there will be plenty of other students to help you study. I went to Celadon when we still had to stay in greenfield and bus in with 145 students....you'll be fine.

So I know I have neglected my orientation journal with western express but that because I'm now with my flatbed trainer and have not stopped moving. We are currently on a run from Nashville to San Diego hauling truck axels.... That we had to secure in a downpour and wind and cold.... Soaked to the bone we get into the truck to find the heat not working.... Only the bunk heater. We changed and hit the road with him driving. Stopped for the night then I hit it hard the next two days. We made it to New Mexico last night and got a call that we are T calling with another driver..... I can't tell you what we will be hauling or where were heading but it's 2500 miles from where we sit currently..... And delivers Thursday morning. We are suppose to be a solo dispatch but that isn't going to happen right now. I have quickly learned the pivot point on a flatbed is different then a dry van. My trainer is amazing, he doesn't yell, he doesn't scream and most importantly he doesn't snore. Since my parents live 15 miles from our drop he is giving me a night at home after we drop. My only gripe about the truck is I'm 6'1 and have just over 18 inch of space when I'm on the top bunk. The good news is that on this long run I get to sleep on his memory foam mattress.

On a side note the entire state of New Mexico needs to hire some one to clean the restrooms. I'm at the point where I would rather pay for a shower to know I'm getting a cleaner toilet. Anyways I will check in later..... And old school if you see this I will call you later.

Brett, I will see about either snapping a few pictures or getting extras and scanning them to you.

As for the updates yesterday and today? Don't eat at the jack in the box near the hotel... Food poisoning has held me out of load securement for two days (before I get asked it has nothing to do with march madness..... Even of that's all that has been on tv I'm ready to hit the road) lucky for me, they start the class six days a week.

So I had typed out a long update only to have it not post so now a quick version.

Day 1 orientation- It was very much hurry up and wait, Drug test, physicals, reaction test, paperwork, computer paperwork. Very laid back kind of day.

Day 2 orientation- Today was the opposite of yesterday, very structured, very serious stuff including pictures that will give anyone nightmares. Long day started at 6am and finished after 6:30pm so I'm heading to bed, tomorrow starts load securement at 7am so its another long day. So far so good.

One company told us that is your hauling a HV load and you go off track they will send the police looking for you, most of the HV loads we had were smokes but weapons sound a lot more serious....so glad to hear we are sending them to mexico and not those crazy sobs in Canada

It won't enlarge the picture.

I don't know how often I will be able to update this blog but I will do my best for once a week minimum.

Sunday 3/16- I'm currently sitting in first class on a delta flight from CT- to Atlanta then on to Nashville. The first class ticket was cheaper then a bus ticket so who am I to complain....oh yeah I get reimbursed. I will be in Nashville around 4:45pm and head over to the hotel. Orientation starts in the morning. I realized I forgot my rain gear so amazon prime will be my friend this week. I think I may check out the Nashville music scene later this week, I'm also a foodie so "hot chicken" is on my list to try. I might give Old School a call later tonight once I get settled in, he has been awesome so far with my many questions. I think it's time for a glass of wine to help me relax.