Comments By Daniel (Turtle)

You will get there.. Even as an old so called pro people can mess up.. Once on own the pressure will be more off.. I have always said that I can back one up better then pull one forward.. It was something that came natural to me cause I backed many trailers up on a farm as a kid.. The funny thing is you have good days and bad days.. There is times when I can hit the hardest dock in the world with one lovely go at it.. Then times when there is 100 acres and nothing around and 50 empty doors and it takes me 900 times to get it in there straight.. lol.. Point is take your time.. Its not a race, do not worry about the other eyes on ya.. (they all have the same issues from time to time), And never forget to Get Out And Look... Being over confident and guessing you are ok is the biggest mistake a trucker can make..

I use Tenstreet on a daily bases right now for the company I work for.. It normally does real well, and works with Hireright.. We received a noticed that Hireright was moving database to a new city.. Reno NV I think.. Hireright and tenstreet was shut down from Friday night Oct 19th to Sunday Oct 21 for the move.. We now have a new mail from them that they are backlogged and having issues, and they are working to resolve the issues.. Reports and such have been much slower.. I suggest giving them a week or so and it should get better..

There are hundreds more out across the US.. Just google in the state you are in or wanting to be in to find them.. They range from Big companies like Prime Inc to companies with less than 500 trucks.. Back in the 90's I went to a small company Called Super Service.. At the time they was out of Somerset KY.. I was impressed with how the school was and how easy to pay it back while I worked for them for a year.. I know they are still in business as a trucking company, but do not know if they still have a school..

I will say, that I went to a refresher course after taking a short time off the road.. I went to Prime Inc in Springfield MO.. Was a good course for my purpose.. I did not have to redo a road test or anything tho.. But they did take care of me and the other Students that was there.. I drove for them for about 2 years as a company driver.. I did not do the Lease Purchase, as I am a company man and have no desire to O/O.. I left on good terms as they was very good to me while I was there..

Good luck to you, and I hope you find one that fits your needs..

Let hope the medical examiner will let me pass the exam. I have no problem signing the medical waiver if I have to. What would be the most physical work when you're on the road beside sleep?

Lots of good information in what most have already said.. Many companies will do many different things.. There are a few that does the Physical agility test.. There are companies that have Automatics.. I personally do not think your hearing would be any issue for any company.. And worse case scenario you might not get a 2 year Medical certificate and have to do a 1 year or smaller.. Many companies now hire and accommodate Drivers with Medical issues, loss of limbs, etc etc.. Most box trucks, and reefer units do need to be strapped in or load locked in.. Not a hard process and can normally be done on the Dock so not really climbing.. In some case you need to sweep trailers out.. Getting a step ladder and electric leaf blower helps make that easier.. Even Truck stops now have Handicap parking.. Point is, if there is a will there is a way out here to get it done and make it easier on ya..

My best advice to you tho, is if you are worried about the physical issues that can come from loading or unloading a truck.. Make sure that the company you look at has 100% no touch freight.. There are many out there that does.. They hire lumpers to load or unload the freight..

Hope this helps..

While I am waiting for Hire Right's report, I pulled a Public Data Report up and it has previous addresses which is good. But it also has me selling Cocaine to minors, Possession of a controlled substance with intent to sell to undercover agents. Doesn't have my previous 11 years of driving with a CDL A licence. In fact it doesn't show that I ever held any type of driver's licence. Which I held in California, Illinois, Okinawa, Korea and England. Doesn't show my military service. And the only way to correct it is to call all of the counties where these "offenses" occurred to get it off my record. So, if a potential employer ever pulled this up I would never get a job driving.

So much for honest reporting on someone's personal history. Now I don't care for conspiracy theories, but a word to the wise, check out your own report. It turns out that because of the same first and last name, this can be put on your report as well.

I personally do not know of any company that uses Public Data Reporting.. Hire Right, PSP, MVR, and National Sex Offender Reg.. These are Real legal services that have to deal with true records.. Hope this helps..

Been getting my tractor loaded and I was curious what trucking companies have fridges and some of the other perks pre-installed in their tractors as a company perk.

Few things.. Everyone I have seen here have mentioned the company they drive for.. In this post alone I have seen Millis, Swift, CFI, Maverick etc etc.. And I never said we take entry level drivers.. must be 23 and have 12 months on road for my company.. Thus one reason we do the 70mph.. The other reason is we mainly drive from St. Louis MO area to the North West and South West.. Tell me 1 state that direction that has a speed limit under 70mph? I am a Driver, and a recruiter.. And I have been on road a long time.. I don't know everything nor will I ever pretend to.. But I will try to answer questions when I can.. I answered a very simple Question honestly.. And just like the ones that had above mine.. Nobody said anything about entry level drivers or not.. Was just asking about Company perks.. And that's what I gave.. :)

I have a Farm in KY so has never been a big issue.. But When visiting friends and family in different area's I have gotten creative at times.. Like when I visit my Grandmother in VA I go to a local Grocery store.. The store does not have much room But they know I am normally only there for 34 to 48 hours.. I always go in and ask tho to make sure it is ok with there management.. Other places I have gone and gotten permission from, is State parks, Local Grocery stores, Old or no longer in use stores like a Kmart or the old small walmarts that was before the Super ones.. Back Side of Strip malls, fairgrounds, local recycling centers, and contacting factory businesses in your area is decent parking also.. Main thing is to make sure you do your absolute best to contact the people who manage or own these places, to get permission.. And let them know that its for short time periods.. Most places will be nice about it, as long as you accept responsibility for any theft or damage.. Anything can be achieved with a proper conversation..

Many companies now have fridges in them.. But ones that do not, you can still get installed and such.. When I started driving at age 21 I was a skinny kid that was barely 120 lbs soaking wet.. Over 20 years later, kids and an ex wife, I have seen up and downs.. at 5'10 my highest weight in my career was 250lbs, and had just quit smoking.. In past few years, as I get older, I decided to eat better.. I was never one for exercise but just eat better.. Stay away from potatoes, and greasy burgers.. I ate lots of protein like steaks and eggs.. Have dropped to about 190 lbs and feel pretty good in my 40s.. I run Reefer.. My Brother also drives.. He was about same size as me.. He went to flat bed trucking for a few years.. Lost a lot of weight and gained muscle.. Slinging chains and tarps did him good.. That might be an option for you..

In this industry many drivers let themselves go.. In some cases I have always felt it was caused by depression.. Away from family, friends, etc etc.. This career is not for everyone.. But if you have good motivation to work, and also be healthy then you will succeed at both trucking and being healthy.. I know a driver that makes a point to park near a gym as much as possible.. I forget the name of the gym.. But they are national, they have showers, and he is a member, so he can go to any of them 24\7.. There are many things possible in the realm of trucking if you are willing to figure out the time frames and make a regular routine.. Laying in bunk every night, watching tv and eating chips not the only options..

As an OTR I made my personal best miles and money during Dec.. But you have to be willing to be out there.. I ran a 4200 mile week many times between Christmas and New Years.. There is freight if you are willing to be out.. The issue is many OTR wants to be home, especially during that week.. Factories and companies are closed during that week, and slowed down leading up to it.. But there are ones out there still needing to get things from point A to B if you want to work.. Especially if you plan good.. I personally like to pick up a load day before Christmas that goes cross 1500+ miles and delivers day after or so.. No traffic, good miles and Customers are there and easy to get unloaded..

Dynamic Transit, Runs 386 and 389 Pete's at 70 mph.. APU, Fridge, 1500 inverter, kerosene Bunk heaters.. And can add things to truck at your cost, like Sat. T.V. lights, Chrome, etc etc.. We also still do $63 per diem per day ran, which is a bonus in my opinion..