Location:
Bay Area , CA
Driving Status:
Experienced Driver
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2 1/2 years in ups and downs but keep it moving forward keep em rolling
Posted: 3 years ago
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Personally prior to getting in the road I do the pretrip etc and all that good stuff. I also check before getting to the shipper/receiver google reviews to see what other drives have put for advice then I check google satellite view and see if I have enough room for a straight line back an alley dock etc but once I’m their and I’m waiting for a door or prior to going to my door I park open my doors on trailer I give the entire lot a look for anything that can obstruct and have a plan in my head. Don’t be afraid to take your time it’s your truck and job. Ignore the other guys get out and look and people may offer assistance but remember you hit something they aren’t driving it’s you.
I will start my very first load by myself on Tuesday or Wednesday, I am still having a little trouble with backing. While in training, my mentor always took over or they wanted me to hurry up and park because other truck was behind us. I thought we were suppose to take our time no matter what. So what should I do?
Posted: 3 years, 1 month ago
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I Need Help; Trying To Switch Companies
I drove for prime my first year finished out with them and applied for Estes express doing line haul doubles and a day cab. You won’t be home daily but will have 2 days off 5 on until you build seniority and an open lane is available for you to take on a bid. Your best bet is to land an interview and get the job let your current employer have a two week notice. During my TNT phase at prime I did get into a parking lot backing incident nothing to crazy just some scuffs and scratch to a parked truck bumper I let estes terminal manager know and they were okay with it since it wasn’t dot reportable they didn’t bother Needing more info but be honest and tell them wether it was dot reportable or not.
I'm still relatively new to trucking and was wondering if some of y'all could help me.
My year with my company is almost over and I'm trying to get into McLane since it'll be more local. I'm trying to see what my chances are from where I stand right now.
I have had two minor collisions that were reported to my company since I started trucking. There were no points added to my license but I would like to know how long they stay on the company's record? I don't know if I should wait a year since my last collision to switch companies or just do it a bit after my year is over.
Any advice would be highly appreciated.
Posted: 3 years, 2 months ago
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Help me find my forever trucking home
I’ve Spoken to few Walmart drivers but all said they like working for them money is good always say 80 something k for first year with them all companies have good and bad I personally enjoy pulling doubles in a day cab for ltl carrier no need to find parking after a shift you can be in a hotel every night they let you run 6 days a week regional sometimes you can go past the regional if allowed it’s home every weekend it all just matters to what your willing to settle for and give.
Hey There Drivers, Looking for any information you all could share with me. I’ve been driving about 3 years now and am looking for a change. I’m looking to continue OTR and would like to join a carrier that covers all 48 states. To me, finding the proper fit means more than just cpm. These are the carriers that are at the top of my list so far...
Meiborg- Great equipment with good miles. They have a salaried program right now 3 week out OTR, flat $75,000 annual
Merx Global- nice newer Volvo’s. .50cpm. A little concerned because I can’t find much driver feedback on them
Sharky- great benefits, free healthcare for family and .54cpm, but older trucks. Have a long history
Nussbaum- Great reviews, never heard a bad thing about them. Everything hung sounds great about the company, Except cpm, .40 to start. Recruiter says with all bonuses and pay factored in, drivers are averaging $1,000-$1,2000 per week
I’m looking to settle in and find my long term home. Any input would be appreciated. Thank you all and be safe
Posted: 3 years, 2 months ago
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Moving violations/ grace periods
I had one of those years ago before I applied to cdl school through a carrier recruiter by passed it didn’t even ask it I was never even asked only about the speeding ticket
Is no insurance and/or expired tags a moving violation? And is it required that I report them on my application? Also, are they not supposed to care about anything 10 yrs or older?
Posted: 3 years, 2 months ago
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Just apply everywhere I was in a similar situation and managed to find a local company small fleet 10 trucks to work for in California with two tickets for speeding. Just stay positive and apply I still managed to get calls from otr companies like jb hunt and swift who had regional work should I take it doesn’t hurt to roll the dice on every application I also managed to get a call from yrc so just continue to stay positive and if that ticket is to go to court suggest off the record and ticket clinic two firms who have traffic lawyers who maybe able to help reduce the ticket to another one less serious good luck to you I hope you get something
Hey, all!
I am not a new CDL driver. I have seen a few threads similar to the following, I note most (or even all) are from the new CDL Students or the soon-to-be. I do not know if my situation will be viewed the same as theirs since I have enough experience to know better. So, here goes...
I worked the CDL side of trucking from 1995-2000. I gave up the license for personal reasons. Skip forward to 2015, I attended a MEGA school (Prime) to regain my license, which I did. I've remained employed ever since.
I kept a squeaky-clean driving record until September 2018, when I was clipped for driving that restricted left lane in Illinois. A year later, I brain-farted and did it again in Kentucky. I'm not used to getting tickets, so I was pretty upset with myself for WEEKS after that. Problem is, and what I did not know at that time, is Kentucky calls that Improper Passing. A straight Left Lane violation is considered minor, but a second under the title of Improper Passing I have recently learned is a MAJOR violation.
Before I knew it was such a major violation, I left my home and job in Illinois for San Antonio, Texas. I love it here, so I decided to live here. I had a large enough savings to take it easy and take great care on the new job search. That was 2 months ago. I usually secure a new job before leaving a current, but this time I figured I could just chance it. After all, even through COVID, a lot of companies were hiring. They still are, just not me. I finally got one company manager to clue me into why. As you may have guessed, it was not just the two tickets, it really is that last ticket. Improper Passing is major, and coupled with that ticket the year before, I now have 6 Points against my CDL. My heart sank and I felt gutted as I suddenly realized I had completely F'ed myself by allowing complacency to replace common sense and vigilance. After years of climbing that income ladder, I was now slapped back to the bottom. Again, no one to blame but myself...but it's done and I am left with extremely limited options. bad luck? No. Three bad decisions (the tickets and the decision to move without the above knowledge). If I can find a company willing to hire me, it'll be OTR again. Just the next two years driving a lower gig will be a constant reminder, especially that part that my last gig paid .55/mile loaded or empty. See? F'ed myself and need no more lashings...
I am now in the unenviable position of requesting help with companies which will likely hire an experienced trucker with a messed up DMV. I also ask to not be lectured. I'd only agree with you which would make the interaction no fun for you. See? I'm keeping my spirits up!
If anyone can assist with a suggestion or few, I would be quite appreciative. I live in San Antonio, TX.
Thanks in advance,
Mike
Posted: 3 years, 4 months ago
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Choosing A Trucking Company Advice
Do research online find out the companies process. Figure out what you need to begin I’m from Cali in order to get a CDL permit you must have your dot physical card and pass your knowledge test for them to issue you a permit. I initially spoke to a recruiter with swift before I went with prime inc. when I did swift was a 2 year commitment after getting licensed while prime was 1. I went with prime and they were great start company. You go to prime and they get you with a trainer to get the CDL after that you move on to the next phase Trainer And Trainee they called it tnt I believe you go on their truck doing teams one drives the other rest for a certain number of miles then you go solo after that. You just need to find somewhere that fits you. Your needs and wants. If you choose to go with a company with a longer commitment contract and you bail out because you didn’t like over the road you are responsible for paying that portion of money back for their time. It’s best to complete the contract and if you aren’t feeling it move else where also keep in mind you can get endorsements these are used for moving specific types of freight. Tankers, hazardous materials, double and triples. Get informed as much as you can and choose wisely recruiters are just that they get you signed up but moving forward they won’t be in contact with you unless something arises. Some companies also offer things like advances you pay back while your training for food and expenses etc. so keep that in mind and just ask all you can to a recruiter and if your told something like incentive wise get it in writing through email etc because otherwise it didn’t happen
Hello Everyone, I hope you are doing well and staying safe. I haven't posted much yet but am only getting started. I recently left the medical field and became large box truck driver for an organic produce company about a month and a half ago just to see if I would remotely like the field. I am in love with it. I make decent money, get free organic produce, and so much more. I drive all over the upper east coast and am home daily. I work four days or five days a week and overtime is optional. Which I take of course. Anyways my plan is to, towards the end of the year sign on board with a trucking company that has their own CDL a training program. Now I have done a lot of research however I only know what I know. I need your experience strength and hope to make the correct decision. I have to talk with a couple recruiters from multiple different companies. one of the companies that was high on my list to work for was Wilson Logistics. however when I called them the recruiter I spoke to was not very pleasant, kind of arrogant, and basically told me it would cost me $46,000 for him to give me information about the program which makes absolutely no sense. It really brought me down Wilson Logistics was one of my top choices. I don't want to be just another number to a company and I want to make good money what trucking companies do you recommend? Please keep in mind if you read my previous post I am an addict in recovery. I can pass a regular drug screen however a hair follicle may be a little difficult as some of them go back 5 years. I look forward to reading your responses! Have a great day!
Posted: 3 years, 4 months ago
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For me backing was the hardest I had a bad experience with a trainer. Good thing is you have resources a lot of guys have their method of doing this. When you begin set is key some places you’ll find have tons of room others less as you already know. The farther your tandems the more time it will take for the trailer to react to the steering the closer they are it’s the opposite but don’t get your eyes glued to one thing also look at the end of your trailer see where the back of it is going. Take your time get out and look if your unsure. It doesn’t hurt to do pull ups or reset your self to make it easier. Now that you got your cdl you have no points limit. I use to google map satellite view my shipper and receiver and see how the building is set up and see points of entry to see if you need to back from the road is their enough to straight line back or if you alley dock etc. some Drivers are helpful they will help spot you while you back but remember that you control your ship and if you get help and strike something it falls on you so don’t be afraid to get help but still get out and look and make sure you do your job safely. My very first time at a Sysco in Washington first load out of training was taking reefer load and took a while to get it in the door one knight driver was upset angry cussing telling me I was taking my time. You may have pedestrians drivers trucks being impatient and if you choose so wait until it’s safe to move don’t rush because of surroundings. We all began somewhere.
So I am done with training took my final road test with no backing test. My trainer was green at training and didn't know how to teach me to back i was told I would be able to take a backing class when I got back to the terminal so im kinda on my own. Some of you may be thinking how did he go to cdl and not know how to back. Well I got my CDL five years ago and this is the first trucking job in 5 years. Any suggestions on how I can teach myself how to back properly?
Posted: 3 years, 4 months ago
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Finally finished driver training
Good luck be very safe always double check your routes and carry a road atlas never trust a gps. Talk to other drivers with experience.check weather conditions and if unsure get out and look. Don’t rush once you pass your test their is no such thing as too many pull ups or corrections. As long your safe and put it in correctly you should not worry about what others are feeling take your time. You are the captain on your ship.
Well, just finished my last day of training with CFI. I ended up doing only 20 days instead of 25 and was called in early to test. I do all my testing tomorrow on Friday and if I pass I will be in my own truck.
I have to say, this was by far the most stressful 20 days learning this job that I've ever had in my life. Luckily my trainer was very diligent and thorough with me. I've learned a lot, have nothing but good things to say about my experience at CFI so far.
My backing still needs work and I am going to be a nervous wreck every time I'm out there on my own backing at customers, truck stops etc but I think I can manage. It's a mix bag of excitement and nerves as I inch closer to being on my own. A whole new chapter is starting in my life and I hope I can succeed.
Well, just finished my last day of training with CFI. I ended up doing only 20 days instead of 25 and was called in early to test. I do all my testing tomorrow on Friday and if I pass I will be in my own truck.
I have to say, this was by far the most stressful 20 days learning this job that I've ever had in my life. Luckily my trainer was very diligent and thorough with me. I've learned a lot, have nothing but good things to say about my experience at CFI so far.
My backing still needs work and I am going to be a nervous wreck every time I'm out there on my own backing at customers, truck stops etc but I think I can manage. It's a mix bag of excitement and nerves as I inch closer to being on my own. A whole new chapter is starting in my life and I hope I can succeed.
Well, just finished my last day of training with CFI. I ended up doing only 20 days instead of 25 and was called in early to test. I do all my testing tomorrow on Friday and if I pass I will be in my own truck.
I have to say, this was by far the most stressful 20 days learning this job that I've ever had in my life. Luckily my trainer was very diligent and thorough with me. I've learned a lot, have nothing but good things to say about my experience at CFI so far.
My backing still needs work and I am going to be a nervous wreck every time I'm out there on my own backing at customers, truck stops etc but I think I can manage. It's a mix bag of excitement and nerves as I inch closer to being on my own. A whole new chapter is starting in my life and I hope I can succeed.
Posted: 3 years, 8 months ago
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I work for an LTL company and I do extra board I wanted to take my igloo cooler charger outlet one that you plug into cigarette lighter outlet. because it barely fits in between both seats to carry some snacks and healthier options while I’m on the road. It doesn’t keep things very cool. 20-30 degrees below inside temp. Any other brands more reliable? Links would be appreciated? Also any heathy snack ideas or meals that don’t take a lot of utensils or plugs cause I don’t have a sleeper would be appreciated.
Posted: 1 year, 6 months ago
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Carrier Question
I might go back over the road and the last over the road company I was with was prime inc 3 1/2 years ago. One thing I liked about them was the option for equipment and how they had an incentive for running a light weight/single bunk sleeper are their any similar companies out their that offer similar options ?