Posted: 3 years, 10 months ago
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Starting a trucking career at 63... and during this pandemic...
Actually because of the covid thing, you will get your own room depending on which company paid training program you go with. Age isn't a factor. No you're not crazy! Many in your shoes have done the same. As far as a good time? All depends on which company you go with. Some are light on freight, others are non stop.
Posted: 3 years, 10 months ago
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Best (?) LTL Carrier for Linehaul
The best opportunity you have for linehaul in LTL is to pick a VERY LARGE hub to work at. Many more opportunities and many more personnel moves. If you pick a small place to work you will literally do NO driving for a very long time and if you are extra-board right now you'll work some and maybe not at all. Not wanting to start until next year will probably be to your advantage.
Create a long term plan and stick to it. No matter union or not. Though I DO agree with the union statements on this thread. I feel YRC is not long for this world. They may come out alright if they get Fed money.
So here's a very rough long-term plan:
1) Get in an OTR training program to learn how to drive. 2) After a year, start looking for jobs in Denver (I'm guessing this is the biggest hub in Colorado. I like Phoenix, but I ain't dying to work a dock in 110 weather). Prioritize union work, but don't limit myself to it. FWIW, Sysco is also a Teamster shop, but I think they mostly do local... which I'm not necessarily opposed to. The whole point of linehaul / LTL for me is that it gets you home a lot.
Is that a decent plan?
Roger, from what I've through out here. All plans are subject to revision. As you put in the time & learn the options out here, the possibilities are endless. Line haul does offer higher pay & more hometime but....
Here's what I've learned, until you reach the coveted picks of premium routes? That hometime is closer to get in, sleep & get out again. The quality of hometime depends on so many factors. But at the same time, you may find another division of trucking that can offer a better balance of pay vs hometime.
Good luck to you & your family. Most important advise is for you to concentrate on driving safe, that'll give you endless opportunities for your needs.
Posted: 3 years, 10 months ago
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CFI HERE I COME......AGAIN!!!!
Congratulations & good for you! Any idea what area?
Posted: 3 years, 10 months ago
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I saw a lady with 4 dogs & a ramp also But my favorite was told to me by my trainer. Dude had 2 great danes on his truck. They would sleep in the bunk & dude slept on a plank across the seats.
I love dogs as much as anyone but that will never happen on this truck or any truck I'm in. I tell folks that the only animal in my truck is ME!
Posted: 3 years, 10 months ago
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Finally finished driver training
My friend just had a student upgrade early. He delivered his first solo load today. Check your truck thoroughly and report any issues. If you're in Joplin, go to the tractor shop and get fluids, oil, washer, and coolant. Get fuses and Velcro as well. Make sure you have 4 straps, broom, lock, nail puller, and fifth wheel puller. Good luck to you.
What is a fifth wheel puller?
It's a door swinger thing for those drivers afraid to get dirty.
That little thingamajig saved my butt 2X already. Some drivers slide the tandems so far forward that my short arms cant reach the pin to release the locking pins. I just grab my hook & place it in a way that pulls the pin & I can slide the tandems. Oh & it kept me from getting dirty by having to crawl under either the landing gear or the tandems to get to that pin. 😁
Posted: 3 years, 10 months ago
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Finally finished driver training
Congrats RWD! You've made it through the easy part. Having someone there holding your hand the entire time is stressful but a luxury that will no longer exist. Now it's up to you to train yourself. ALWAYS check & recheck your mirrors. My 2 rookie mistakes were a direct result of me not looking in my mirror while I was turning the wheel. Talk to yourself to remind yourself as get into a routine. The longer you stick with it, the more you relax, the better you will get. I won't use the word easier cause ain't nothing easy about maneuvering 80000 lbs of metal & whatever one is hauling. All it takes is a split second & a careless moment. Obviously you have the skill, now it's just the practice. And do enjoy the honeymoon! Again, congratulations & be safe out here
Posted: 3 years, 10 months ago
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South East US Refresher Course
I spoke with May and they will take me back with one trip out with a mentor as I had a great report with them. Unfortunately they no longer train/hire out of Pensacola due to them currently not having any freight going through FL. Worst case I will relocate again, just trying to avoid that expense at all costs for now.
Any reason you can’t go back to May? They have a location in Pensacola.
Totally feel your pain Brad K. I was in the same boat last year. Won't bore you with that fiasco. Other than the companies mentioned already, you can try Davis Express, Robert Bearden Industries & Marten Transport. All 3 offer southeast regional but I'm not sure if they offer training. Good luck.
Posted: 3 years, 10 months ago
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Another Swift question. Grocery shopping
I didn't see anything posted before, I got the go ahead from my driver leader/manager to get a mini fridge. My question is how do I get to Walmart if I'm not anywhere near a terminal? My understanding is I have to bobtail there, but I can't uncouple unless at a terminal right? Or can I do it at a truck stop and use my kingpin lock? I definitely need to re-up on non cold food items too.
No need to bobtail, no need to call ahead. If you can safely get in and out pull on in. You have probably noticed how and where trucks park. You do however need to ask if you are wanting to park overnight but for just shopping you're good. I do mention looking before pulling in because some of the parking lots are not good for semis but most are fine.
To each his own. I'd rather not waste my fuel going to a Walmart that has 9' barriers blocking their lot entrances or come out with a boot on my rig cause the security patrol waited till I went inside to Jack my shyte rather than warn me not to leave it there.
Posted: 3 years, 10 months ago
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Well today I received a new DOT Med card. :)
Holy smokes! So much for "no forced dispatch". Glad you have the track record to land on your feet wherever you go. A Crete driver was telking me he's up to .58/ mile! Doing dry van!!! In 3 years!!!
Thank you for your candor. Not many would put that out there. Continued success!
Posted: 3 years, 10 months ago
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Rob T. Want To Meet In Iowa?
Rob, you look like the younger brother of the guy in your profile pic. Lol Packrat is unrecognizable without his Harley tshirt. Hehehe