Profile For PJ

I have to agree with senior chief. You took a bad situation and made it worse by not doing the things you agreed to do.

Big companies probably won’t be impressed and insurance companies for small carriers will pass on you. With the current economy companies are slowing or stopping hiring and plenty of canadates without the issues you have to choose from.

You will be treading a steep up hill battle for sure.

Congrats!!!! Your first big hurdle down.. Great news

The past 6 months or so I have noticed some changes going on that are looking like a trend. I’ve started talking with some folks at shippers and it has confirmed what I was thinking, at least as far as the small group I have spoken with.

Shippers that had been using trucking companies to ship their products seem to be moving away from contracting with company X, and moving toward freight brokers to find trucks.

I recieve alot of emails from brokers recruting trucking companies for dedicated freight lanes and asking for bids.

Last week I was at a cable manufacting company and I was the last truck of the day. The loader was great and very talkative. He apologized for the delay and said since they changed their shipping about 6-8 months ago they always seem to be behind.

A small company about 400 truck size had the contract for years and they preloaded most of the loads. Since the change they always do live loads and get alot of trucks they have never seen before. The loader has worked for this company for 15 years. He also has noted alot of the trucks look terrible. He loved my truck and was very suprised when I told him the age.

I have had similiar experiences several other places. In some cases it sure looks like some companies are moving toward frieght brokers more often for their needs.

I’m not making any judgements as to why or what the overall outcome may be, but it is definetly going to have an impact on the industry.

This is suprising, did they sell of Variant along with it??

I’ve seen this same type of thing over the years alot. I’ve personnally known 3 in my time and all 3 shared a commonality. The kids never had to work hard to build the company. Each had taken over an established well run business. They didn’t have the sense of it being something they built. Their loyalty and buy-in wasn’t the same.

Of course the younger ones always think they know more than their parents, always been that way and always will be.

As far a scale house software as far as I’m aware it’s currently 2 as Naenae pointed out. She likes prepass, I run and prefer drivwyze. It is somewhat customizable. The annoying things she pointed out I have turned off. Company drivers don’t have that option.

No matter which system you have, it’s still up to the scale house if you get bypassed or not. The operator gets a ton of info on each truck as it crosses the sensors, and they decide on the spot wether to bypass the truck or not. Many more are upgrading their tools and can see the driver clearly as well.

Nice!!! Yeah the rates and fuel are not in sync for sure. I ran leased onto a tanker outfit for several years, then last year got my own authority. What a headache!!

I’m headed to Houston with some cable then run home with a couple big granite blocks. I’ll be glad when headstones pick back up. I’ve learned alot, but general FB freight isn’t alot of fun. But it suits me more than bumping docks. I’ve got things pretty much setup I work when I want. Took a long time to get here, but it works for me.

You working for a private fleet is a good thing in my opinion. That is the great thing about this industry, enough varied work it can fit many needs and wants for drivers once they get experience. Too many want to shortcut things, and jump straight to the good stuff without any experience.

Congrats on getting married!!! Tell the ol man he don’t rock the shades as well as you do, lol. I hope he has consistent work. I’m doing the flatbed thing as an O/O and it is getting slower and slower this past year, but we’re hanging in there. I even resorted to pulling a reefer for a few months. Too hetic a pace for this old man. I normally haul headstones and bulk granite blocks. The pic in my profile is the little Pete I bought 5 years ago.

I had the pleasure of meeting up with Navypop down in Florida a few months ago. I met Daniel B years ago on my way to CDL school and we stay in touch. He’s still around some too.

If you can entice some old timers back that would be very cool.

There have been many great responses. My biggest frustration is with too many people that are self centered, self absorbed, and believe they are all that matters. Heaven forbid we get in their way for 15-30 seconds while they are driving.

I firmly believe as a society too many folks have no respect anymore. It reflects in many ways, espically driving.

There is no way on earth law enforcement can tackle the problem. We rely on folks to do the right thing and voluntary compliance. However CMV’s are always the target of new rules. Why?? Insurance companies use technogly to moniter new or teen drivers, why not others??

Alot can be done these days to tackle safety on our roadways, but the folks in charge have to really want a safer outcome instead of some quick fix that only gives an appearance, not a positive result.

As already said, that is alot of issues you mention in a short time span.

First and the most important issue is your not accepting responsibility for your actions. Things happen everyday, but if your being a safe driver you can avoid many things by constantly being alert. Watching other vehicles many times you can predict what they may do. We avoid things all the time. There are those times we can’t.

The crash involving rain and a curve had nothing to do with the truck not getting to the shop. If it was unsafe to drive you should not have been driving it, in any type of weather that is on you for your choice.

The ticket in your car will be a deal breaker with most companies. You don’t mention the outcome, but if you pled guilty or were found guilty of anything more than 14 mph over the limit you will likely have to wait at least 3 years to find a driving job.

We all make mistakes in life, the true test is what we learn from them. Wishing you the best going forward.

Welcome back young lady!! I remember you, where are the big sun glass’s, lol. Great to hear your doing well, no pun intended.

Life does get in the way of many things as we make our journey through it. I’m still around and doing my thing. I too have had periods of absence, but find my way back. Everyone here helped me get started back in the day, and I try to pay it forward.

My little occassional ride partner.

Great hearing from you, try not to be a stranger!!