Profile For Sandman J

Team or slip seating could explain the truck/driver radio.

Good point Errol, I hadn't considered that.

Kearsey mentioned the mirrorless camera setup so just a side note on that. I don't have them yet but my company is in the process of adding those. My shop told me it's a four day process! They're not removing our mirrors luckily but saw a few trucks on the highways recently with cameras that didn't have the mirrors, I would not like that setup. Technology can fail so I don't know why they'd take the mirrors off as a backup system. When they were installed on my friend's truck, they used the wiring or whatever for the mirrors' heaters to power the cameras, so he had to go back to get them to do something else so he still had the heat feature. Haven't verified myself but heard Canada doesn't recognize the camera-only system so something to keep in mind if you cross the border.

I looked them up on FMCSA SAFER. Looks like they do dry van and reefer loads. Seems to be a small carrier, 62 trucks and 63 drivers which would concern me. They already have more drivers than trucks, so if yours has a major breakdown issue there wouldn't be a replacement truck for you to earn in. I don't know anything about them good or bad, just what I looked up there but personally I'd go with a larger carrier with a proven track record of training new drivers. Have you applied to several companies or just them? You don't need to live near a company headquarters or even terminal. Good luck whatever you decide, and stick around here as you start your career so you can get any questions answered.

Whatever you can't bring with you, maybe donate whatever's still in its original packaging to a local food bank/pantry/homeless shelter? I'd suggest shelf-stable foods like soups or Ramen noodles and such, along with a reusable bowl and utensils you can wash; if you're parked at a truck stop on your 10hr break, a lot of them have a microwave you could use. I've been using Uncrustables, the pre-made pb&js, as my breakfasts lately. I don't know if they need to be refrigerated or not, I keep mine there but don't know if it's necessary. Maybe you'll get lucky and your trainer will share a bit of fridge space. If that's the case, I'd suggest some deli meats and get a loaf of bread.

Looks like a happy family! Glad you're enjoying life how and where you want to Stevo.

Congratulations on all your successes, especially achieving financial freedom and following your new dream. I was in read-only mode for a long time before starting my driving career and always enjoyed your posts.

I recently started using Truck Parking Club as needed. It's an app that shows cost for what's available, daily weekly monthly. I have no clue as to the ins and outs of a property owner getting hooked up with them but you can look into that as an option.

Welcome to the forum. Travis hasn't been active here in quite a while. If you're not getting the quality training where you're at, the everpresent recommendation here is to go through company-sponsored training so maybe you can get on with one of those. Just so you know though, some won't take those who started training elsewhere. If you post about that or anything else in the general section, you'll get more views/responses. Good luck.

I agree, can't hurt to apply. If they pass and the position is still open when you meet their minimum, you can reapply.

Your training time won't count. When a company is looking for a minimum experience, they're looking for experience after you got your CDL.

Zen Joker and I both work for Veriha and are happy here. There's also posts from a member who hasn't been on in a long time (can't recall the name) as well as at least another training diary about them. We do mainly Midwest though not specifically STL, but I know drivers out of TX, TN and PA. And I've been doing more STL runs and just did a KC run. Any questions, ask away and ZJ and I will do our best.