Posted: 7 years, 3 months ago
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That I-80 video that was posted from Wyoming really shook me up.
Be safe my friend. I would rather have people angrily honking horns and passing me than to be involved in something like that. A couple of drivers impressed me especially the Walmart driver. That was scary and I will definitely have a CB from day 1.
Posted: 7 years, 3 months ago
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That I-80 video that was posted from Wyoming really shook me up.
The sounds of those trucks crashing one after another was tough to watch and to listen to. I can't understand why so many drivers were traveling that fast in those conditions. Are there that many dangerous drivers on the road driving trucks?
This video should be shown in driving school to every new driver IMO. Unbelievable that so many more weren't killed. God was watching out for some of those people that day.
Blinding conditions and icy roads lead to a gigantic wreck on I-80 in Wyoming in 2015
Posted: 7 years, 3 months ago
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Flatbed really interests me but is it a bad idea for a greenhorn?
George I wasn't implying that you weren't cut out for the job and I appreciate all replies including yours. I was just questioning why if you hate your job do you continue to do it? Your reply gave me a negative vibe but that's ok I appreciate the honesty. Every job has people that hate it and people who love it but I come from a place where I truly need a change. I have done the research and I understand that it will be a challenge but I think this is for me. I am excited to get a chance at trucking. Sounds like you do take some pride in the job that you do and that is a good thing.
Posted: 7 years, 3 months ago
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Flatbed really interests me but is it a bad idea for a greenhorn?
Well now.....I am a flatbed driver and am nearing my one year mark. I started with one of the flatbed companies, Melton, and they did a good job in teaching me the basics.......but after six months I parted ways.........Realize that all flatbed companies that hire greenhorns and experienced drivers have an approximately 2% retention rate after six months. This applies to drivers with experience and newly minted CDL holders. TMC, Melton, and the others all run their programs from the same playbook. The pay is generally around .41 cents to start and goes up from there.....They offer insurance, retirement and other benefits. Currently I work for a small company (2 trucks) and have no benefits from them but I get 35% of the rate. I belong to TVC Pro Driver Inc......they will insure you for $49 dollars a month which includes your spouse......not too shabby for the "bronze" package, other insurance companies wanted close to $800 a month...ouch! They also will fight your tickets and scale violations unlike your parent company. They have other benefits you can check it out on your own........I am not selling them I am just telling you what I did so that I could afford health insurance....as mandated by the government..........You need to protect yourself because sure a shiat your parent company will gladly sacrifice you for themselves.......If I worked at a large company I would take their insurance as well as TVC....just my two cents.
The work can be difficult, and the learning curve steep...I have found that when I got into trouble that other flatbed drivers were willing to help....including the remarks...lol.....ok not all will, but most will, if you have the spirit of helping others then it will demonstrate what trucking is all about.
What I wish I had when I started:...my own truck GPS, (Qualcomms not always good plus a back up is nice when stuff goes wrong), a smart phone with blue tooth headset, A back up light for my cab.......why you may ask?....well when you are backing up into a dark bay with an inch of clearance on either side...and you cannot see ....,....the sun is shining in you eyes .....it is truly blind backing and I have seen drivers come in crooked and pop tires and what not......absolutely stupid when companies pay lip service to safety and will not equip a truck with a cab back up light....Yes, you will learn how to do it but every time is an adventure one can live without. Learn how to adjust your own brakes...it is easy and if you do it right your trailer brakes engage before your drives and your steers engage last....very safe that way........, You will have to buy your own spare fuses, bulbs and minor tools.......but in a pinch it beats sitting on the road for 3 hours waiting for someone to come along and get you going....plus the safety thing once again rears its head. BTW, if your headlamp goes out while you are driving and you do not stop and replace it, you can and will be stopped and ticketed even tho you were going to change it out at the next load check......DOT are not your friends.......a technique I have used it to drive with my hazards on until I could get to a place to do a change out. Flashlights, bring 3 or four of them.....they go bad easy, multiple pairs of gloves, coveralls, other things you will choose as you progress...........Another thing I would definitely consider in choosing a company is this....truck companies have come out with, in my opinion the most unsafe feature.....It is called a super single tire.......so instead of duals on the drives they use a single tire.......when the tire blow you damage the rim and tire.......the handling quality suffers. In wet, slick weather they are the worst...Duals are much safer and easier to control if you blow a tire....and yes you will blow a tire.....
If you like driving and working on a load...each one is different you will enjoy flatbed.....but be careful...do not hurry and hurt you back or shoulders etc........play safe and you will have a great adventure.....I know I have......
Doesn't seem like you are a good fit for this job. Why do you keep at it?
Posted: 7 years, 3 months ago
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Flatbed really interests me but is it a bad idea for a greenhorn?
I have been around here for a while and I admit this reply is the one I most looked forward to. Thank you old school and your words have only inspired me more. I am going to need you for advice in the future and I know I will be able to count on you. Thanks again
Posted: 7 years, 3 months ago
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Flatbed really interests me but is it a bad idea for a greenhorn?
Thanks G-Town I appreciate that. I have been around much longer than I have been posting messages and I am ready to do this. Been studying the high road and feel like I can ace those tests. I never considered TMC because their website doesn't include WV as a hiring area for their training program. I want to be a truck driver and I know that learning to drive a truck is tough in itself. Throw in load securement and I don't want to get in over my head. This TMC interest really excited me.
Posted: 7 years, 3 months ago
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Flatbed really interests me but is it a bad idea for a greenhorn?
I have worked the past 20 years in the telecommunications industry. My job consists of handling and carrying a 95lb ladder on a regular basis working in all types of extreme weather here in WV. Crawling under houses, working in attics, driving a company pickup with no accidents, keeping customers happy, ect, ect. i love working with my hands and in my mind a physically demanding job is both mentally and physically healthy for me. TMC has shown interest in me and I feel like I am ready to make a move but I know nothing about trucking and don't want to make a bad decision right off the bat. Any input on this decision would be much appreciated.
Posted: 7 years, 4 months ago
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Take a look at Wil Trans. I know they allow up to two pets so they might not have a weight limit if you are just bringing one dog.
Posted: 7 years, 4 months ago
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Happy Thanksgiving all. If anyone is in southern WV and nowhere to be you are welcome in my home.
I wish you all well and a happy Holliday.
Posted: 7 years, 3 months ago
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Company and CDL questions
I am a dog lover also and have researched this. Wil-Trans has a 3 heartbeat rule and will allow the wife and dog after a certain point of you showing the ability to operate safely on your own. They seem like a great company and the recruiter I have talked with was excellent.