Posted: 6 years, 11 months ago
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What state are you in? Some states allow more weight on the back roads, for example Kansas allows 85,000 on the state highways.
Posted: 6 years, 12 months ago
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Podcast 10: Terminal Rats Are Derailing Trucking Careers
Kirk,
My point was that the absolutely highest paid swift driver out of 292 people wasn't even making half of that of an average bank president. If Old School here can more than double the performance of the greatest reporting Swift driver, he must possess some unworldly powers. That or the more simple possibility: the company you drive for does matter.
It appears it might be that he's driving for sapa just looking at his pictures.
And my point was you don't know how many are still paying the company back or how many are rookies who get paid less.
Considering they are sharing their personal salary online makes me think that they are unprofessional but maybe that's just me.
Posted: 6 years, 12 months ago
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Podcast 10: Terminal Rats Are Derailing Trucking Careers
Yet 292 Swift drivers on glassdoor reporting their annual average, and not a single one earns even half of what the average Bank president does.
If you're start out at .40 CPM that's the equivelant of making $20 an hour. And that's just starting out. Not to mention the bonuses for safety, idling, passing DOT inspections etc.
Also how many of those drivers used Swift to get their CDL and are still repaying the company?
But what do I know I only got a 110 on the ASVAB 🤔
Posted: 6 years, 12 months ago
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So I decided to start out with a smaller company that runs flatbeds in the Midwest. My instructor at CDL school and a classmate (old retiree) both suggested a smaller company would be more beneficial, and so far after completing the week of orientation I can say I'm enjoying it. The main terminal is about 2 hours from home and they let me drive my own vehicle out there for the week of training, I'm really enjoying the fact that everyone I've met so far is really laid back and relaxed. It's really refreshing after being in the military for 7 years.
I'm meeting up with my trainer today for my 3-5 weeks on the road then I'm on to my own truck. I hear a lot of complaints about doing flatbed and how hard it is but honestly it's not that complicated if you have a little common sense. Oh and apparently their pay scale changed while I was there for orientation so instead of starting out at .40 CPM I'll be starting at .42 CPM or I can do 25% of load. I haven't decided on that yet, I guess that'll be one of the many questions I ask my trainer.
I feel like I made a good impression though! They gave me their version of a road test on the first day and only made two mistakes (not avoiding potholes apparently) I picked up on tarping and strapping pretty fast and then scored a 96% on the final test. So hopefully I can keep it going! Moving forward with a open mind and positive attitude!
Posted: 7 years ago
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I passed the road test this Friday! Now just waiting for my CDL in the mail and find the right company for me. I think this is probably the first time I've actually looked forward to getting to work! Thanks to everyone here that answered my questions and concerns as well!
Posted: 7 years ago
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Tips for going on a military installation
As a former MP I would say stop at the gate and ask one of the gate guards or MPs, they have maps and can tell you exactly where to go, at least they should. Hell even ask a MP if you can get an escort, we aren't doing anything productive most of the time anyways (trust me I know). And if you get the run around just ask for a supervisor. Usually there is someone that knows the base inside and out.
Posted: 7 years, 1 month ago
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That's awesome! Always feels good to nail it like that!
It definitely felt great, I just wish I remembered what I did to make it so perfect so I could do it every time!
Posted: 7 years, 1 month ago
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So as some of you might know I'm currently in CDL school at my local tech college. It's me and 3 other guys plus the instructor and we are all Army Vets so it's great being able to all connect on that and make the class fun. Anyways we finally get to go see the course for the skills test and road test. We stayed out there all day practicing and some of us were doing pretty badly because it was a different truck than the one we have been using for the last 2 weeks. The 90 degree was proving to be a real pain!
We took a break from the skills test and he took us on the road test so we could at least get an idea of what we would encounter when we come to take our actual test. We get done with that and come back to the 90 degree backing. One guy goes for it and messes it up horribly like we all were, then he gets out and I go to give it a shot. I swing around and reposition the truck. I start backing and slowly turning to get the trailer in close to the cone and then turning hard to start swinging the trailer into the hole and before I knew it I was perfectly lined up in the hole, I straightened it out and put the bumper in the little 3 foot gap.
So I'm getting out of the truck and the instructor has his hands in the air and the other guys and trying to give me a high five and everyone's just saying how perfect it was. I looked at them and just said "what happened? I think I blacked out!" Anyways I'll call it beginners luck but it was a glorious moment of defeat for the 90 degree that day, at least for that one moment!
Posted: 7 years, 1 month ago
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There's no way a newbie driver can make $40,00 per year driving solo. Prove me wrong.
I've written a new article entitled Is Trucking Worth It Anymore? where I discuss my opinion on today's trucking industry and whether or not a career in trucking is worth doing any longer.
Every one of us has a different personality. We live under different circumstances and have different life goals. Some people want adventure and travel, others want a quiet life at home with family and friends. There are a ton of jobs to choose from, but in the end trucking isn't the answer for most people.
If you're an experienced driver, what advice would you give people considering a career in trucking?
If you're considering a career in trucking or you haven't begun just yet, what are the major factors in making your decision?
This is such a tough decision for so many people. I'd love to hear what it came down to for you and how you feel about the industry today.
The company I am looking into will be paying me .56 CPM to haul glass. As long as I reach my 6 month mark without incident. And that's fresh out of CDL school.
.56 cpm x 65 mph = $36 per hour
Posted: 6 years, 11 months ago
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Need some help with shifting, TT
I found what helped me a lot was just mentally thinking about it and planning it out in my head, watched some YouTube videos that helped and shifting was my biggest concern. 2nd day of driving and I was floating gears. Some of the other guys in my class were still having trouble shifting even at the end of class.
I also had the opportunity to come in on off days and work on it with just me and the instructor. I would ask about coming in on a Saturday or something if that's possible. It's really just one of those things that the more you do it the better you get at it and the more comfortable you become!