Profile For Sandman J

Definitely get the app for any truck stops your company lets you fuel at. I fuel almost exclusively at Loves and I can book my showers through the app and if there's a wait, I can wait it out in the comfort of my truck instead of standing around in the store.

You'll want the CAT Scale and its companion app Weigh My Truck so you find the nearest CAT scales and not only pay for the scale but have the digital scale ticket automatically emailed to you so you don't have to park and go inside if you don't need the hard copy.

Trucker Path is a great tool for researching parking places for your breaks. It'll show how many spots, the trend of when it usually gets full, and reviews of the place. It'll also show off-the-wall options you don't know exist, like a McDonalds with 5 or 10 spots behind it that allows overnight parking.

Those are the apps I use the most.

Technology makes trucking a lot easier, but I also can't recommend a physical atlas enough. I use Google Maps to guide my route but it's made for four-wheelers so I confirm it with the atlas, which shows low bridges and designated truck routes and more.

Great video, Brett. I love the line, 'you won't change trucking but trucking will change you.'

Starting trucking was the scariest decision I ever made. I left the stability and comfortable lifestyle of the only career I knew. I knew my life would continue relatively easy if I stayed. But I grew to hate it and leaving that sense of security behind was worth the risk.

If it wasn't for this site and knowing as much as I could know before actually trying it, I don't think I would have lasted. But I knew the experiences and perceived hardships weren't unique to me, that's trucking and we all go through it, especially starting out. Now, those same issues that had me questioning why I'm doing this crazy job are just an extra annoyance to deal with. In some cases, I welcome the extra challenge because I know I can figure out how to solve the problem. I've gained a lot of self-confidence in that regard from doing this.

I don't think I'll do this forever, but for now I enjoy the adventure and learning more about the entertainment facet of the industry hauling concert gear and going to venues all over the country.

Hey Roger, welcome to the industry and the forum. Backing takes time to get comfortable with. Just remember to GOAL and do pull-ups as needed and not let anyone make you feel rushed. No matter how long it takes, a back that doesn't lead to you needing to report any damages to your company is a successful one.

Training is only to get you enough knowledge to pass the CDL test, the real training comes on the road as you go. Like everything, it'll get easier with time and experience.

I'm with BK. Sounds like you found a rare opportunity that matches your specific needs. Worth a shot to see if it works for you and your educational goals. Good luck!

To expand on what Old School said, I thought I had to pick the perfect trucking company for me before I came here. In reality, I used the app here and went with the first company that reached out that met my basic minimums. One I've never heard of at that. What I got was a solid foundation and am on a fleet doing something that I didn't even know existed, and couldn't be happier.

Sounds like a blind bill of lading load. Got those a few times in my career and hated them because I couldn't say who was getting the product and where it was going to.

Laura

I've had those a couple times. Very strange. Don't know if I did it the right way but I wrote a BOL with different shipper or receiver info, whichever one had to be 'blind.' One of them wanted a scale ticket empty and loaded too.

Our Prime drivers can answer the current specifics on those questions. But yes, a passenger can go into Canada with a driver, passport in hand along with any other documentation needed. I was recently in Canada and another driver had his wife with him. The company handled all paperwork, that's why I don't know if anything else would be required. I don't believe any or many companies bring drivers south of the border due to safety concerns and therefore higher insurance needed.

I have a handheld from when my main one wasn't working. It's a Uniden, don't know what model. It's ok for hearing pretty close-range traffic, but didn't always seem to transmit great. It's better than nothing though.

James, it's a numbers game. As the largest truckload carrier, as in most trucks on the road, it makes sense that they'd have the most incidents. Nobody's gonna know a ten truck outfit even if seven are wrecking, but when you see so many Swift, well you get the picture.

In talking with a couple members here recently, CSA scores were looked up for various companies and if I'm not mistaken Swift's numbers/percentages fared quite well.

I might have an easier time meeting members now as my current gig can have me sitting in one spot for several days or more. When that's the case, I try to update my location on here at the start in case others are nearby. Of course, I have a decoy location set for Pianoman so he doesn't know where I'm really at 😁.