Comments By Lou

Hello everyone,

Has anyone heard of Magnum Logistics? They run reefers and seem like a good company. I'd appreciate any information from anyone who is currently driving for them or has driven for them. Thank you

I just heard about this yesterday. For you all who were thinking about going to Maverick TCD, Maverick Transportation has sold their TCD (reefer division) to KLLM. Here's the link to one of the websites talking about it, there are several more sites out there as well.

Maverick TCD Sold

Lou

As others have said on this forum, you shouldn't base your decision to go with a company on the recruiter. Some are good some are bad but it shouldn't reflect on the company itself. If you are interested in the company and feel it will be a good fit for you then continue to contact them or contact the other recruiter you may have the number to. I wish you the very best.

Rainy, I totally agree with you and thank you.

Rainy thank you for the example you provided about your friend. I understand there is risks with becoming a lease operator or owner operator, purchasing a used truck versus a new one, high insurance costs and high loan rates plus more. Some have better results than others, I understand that as well. It is a risk that could end up badly or can be rewarding.

Old School, If a driver does their research and knows what it will cost to run his/her own truck and still feels like they can profit then why not do it? That's all I'm trying to say here. To me it's not about a one truck operation outperforming a huge operation. It's what makes that driver happy, successful (in their view of success), enjoying life whether as a company driver or an O/O. To some there's more to it than just the money.

I'm not trying to ruffle any feathers here. I know the majority of people on here lean towards company driver and that's perfectly fine, it's their choice. I just don't understand why so many people are so against O/O, not all lease and/or owner ops fail at the business. Some may bring home the same, more or less than a company driver but in the end if they're happy, content, successful in their eyes (as Rainy stated, success is different to many people) then that's a win.

I've been researching the trucking industry for some time now as I'm extremely interested in it. I cannot go into it now due to my current location but have every intention of doing so once I return to the US. I will start as a company driver because I feel that is the best route for me for the various reasons so many on here have stated. Will I look into O/O at some point, maybe after a year or more in the industry. It's not all about the money for me though so there's that. Success to me is doing something I truly love doing and not going broke doing it.

Thank you all for listening and giving examples and advise. I appreciate it.

I'm just curious, are these numbers specific to Prime Lease Ops? I do agree that leasing is not the best idea for both a new driver or even a veteran one. A $4K a month truck payment is just insane to be honest. However, I don't understand why one shouldn't become an O/O by purchasing a truck new or used. If you do your research and know your numbers than I think it can be very profitable. I'm not suggesting to go out and purchase a truck as a new driver. As Rainy pointed out, a new driver needs to learn the industry, manager his/her truck, create a rapport with their dispatcher, etc... first but after a year or more I think it's very possible to be an O/O and be successful at it.

And yes, I was completely honest. No, I have nothing to hide. I provided 3 years of history, everything included. Which again was a pain to get verified. So if for some reason if that were to switch to say 10 or even 5 years work history once I'm there, I'm likely screwed. People in the thread are telling me I need a SS card. My recruiter specifically told me all I needed was my birth certificate. I was an Accounting major, so I'm all about attention to detail..its how I'm wired.

I know I'm new here and all but honestly don't get so stressed out over this. Word of advise if I may, NEVER take just the minimum required documents. If you have a SS card then take it regardless of the what recruiter says. Take a passport, driver's license, 10-year history, references, TWIC card if you have it, everything and anything that will help you. It's always better to be safe than sorry.

You have a lot of people on here who have numerous years of experience as recruiters, drivers, trainers etc... that are telling you what you need and should bring. I really don't understand your issue, truthfully I don't get it.

I wish you the very best and don't stress over it!

Hi Rainy and thank you for welcome and the quick response. I understand it's always a good idea to bring whatever documentation one has and I completely understand what you have been saying. I was just curious about my birth certificate. My naturalization paperwork does have a government seal on it so I think that would suffice along with other documents.

As for driving in the US for one year, I have a current US state driver's license and have had one since I started driving way back in.....! Do you where I can find more information on that? I'm living in Japan but am a US citizen paying US taxes etc... My situation is a bit different than most I suppose. My wife works for the US government and is here on orders so I am here as a dependent, if any of that makes sense. I'm trying not to get into a lot of military jargon. Basically, I'm not a Japanese citizen and would not be allowed to stay or work here if it wasn't for her employment status with the US government. Either way, my point is I never went without a state driver's license and I have nearly 30 years of driving history.

Thanks again!

Hello Everyone, I'm new to forum and have been reading this thread as well as many others for some time now. I'm a retired military service member and currently living in Japan.

You need your social security card, your birth certificate with a state raised seal (many bring the hospital one and get sent home), paper from your bank for direct deposit, and any medical records (blood pressure, sleep apnea, medication and OTC list etc). Show up without these, and the hoops begin.

Rainy, quick question if I may. You stated to bring your birth certificate with a state raised seal along with other documentation. What if I don't have one since I was born outside the US? Do you happen to know if a naturalization document will work along with my original birth certificate from another country or are they specifically looking for a US certificate? I would assume that would suffice but then again we all know what they say about assuming.

To be clear, I do not have a CDL nor am I enrolled in school for one much less applied to a trucking company but I am very interested in the industry and plan to do so once I'm back in the US.

Thank you for your time and understanding. My apologies for talking off topic here.