Location:
CA
Driving Status:
Rookie Solo Driver
Social Link:
No Bio Information Was Filled Out. Must be a secret.
Posted: 3 days, 10 hours ago
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The next cooking appliance I purchase will be one. With that, and a charcoal grill this Spring, I'll have it all covered:
InstaPot, charcoal grill, George Foreman, Presto electric skillet, microwave, and a rice cooker.
You can cook rice in the InstaPot.
Posted: 6 days, 9 hours ago
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So, I was offered a hazmat load, but declined. I am hazmat certified, but have never done a hazmat load. My company has a hotline to guide me on which placards to place. Still, I don't feel comfortable. I earned my endorsements on the written almost two years ago. My question is, would you suggest to take a hazmat load, and freshen up on some of the requirements? Or, is it something that I should spend time with a hazmat mentor?
Posted: 1 week, 2 days ago
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Camera's aren't the only way you're monitored
At Swift we have lane departure warnings (move over the white dashed line without a turn signal on will trigger a buzz-strip sound). Too many of them too fast will get you into the office because you must not be paying attention and wandering along the road.
Those lane departure sensors are really sensitive or at least they were in the truck I was in. When I took the ride with G-Town he was totally between the lines in his lane and they still kept going off. He said they pick up the thicker tar strips used to patch the small cracks in the road. I guess safety reviews the forward camera footage and see’s the false warnings
It's not "Safety" that makes the first review. The camera videos are uploaded to a service bureau that has first look. If they see certain things (they are trained for this) , the video is forwarded. But if you are just minding your business, they move on. I was driving on an empty and curvy country road in a Virginia Appalachian valley. The buzz warning would go off every few seconds. I knew the videos one after another were going to be uploaded to that service bureau. I was watching my speed, always looking out the front, and monitoring the mirrors. Both hands on the wheel. Well, I never got called in for continuously "running off the road"! I hope someone enjoyed the ride down a Virginia Country Road
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Mine has been going crazy the last few weeks with all of the snow and ice packed in the cracks and crevices of the pavement. It keeps picking it up as painted lines that I am crossing. Driving me crazy. I have to turn off the LDW.
Posted: 1 week, 2 days ago
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See Idaho chain up status online?
Try downloading the ID traveler app. I believe it list chain areas. Also, maybe dialing 511. I believe that the WA 511 system will allow you to connect to 511 systems in neighboring states. The Cabbage Hill area and Blue Mountains have a Winter Warning in effect until around 10:00 a.m. Sat morning, with heavy snow and strong winds. I did my 10 in Ellensburg last night at the Love's. I had a deliver today in Fife WA. I had to wait a few hours at the Love's until chain restrictions were lifted on the I-90 over the Snoqualmie pass. Drive safely.
Posted: 1 week, 2 days ago
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Camera's aren't the only way you're monitored
Big Brother is ALWAYS watching: ELD, GPS, traffic cameras, cell phones, tracking devices on the trucks or trailers, dash cams, drones, black helicopters, scale houses, onboard cameras....
Prime trucks also have forward collision.
That must be the same thing in Swift Trucks, following distance. I beeps and flashes a warning if it senses that you are following too closely.
Posted: 2 weeks, 3 days ago
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Do you think there is a truck parking shortage?
In some states, there are rest areas that are called service plazas. They have full services, including fuel and several restaurants, and plenty of overnight parking. They appear to be state owned, and probably generate enough income from rents to cover construction costs and to provided way more than enough income for maintenance. More states need to do this. Many of us drivers would be happy with just more gravel lots for parking. Those wouldn't cost much to construct. You must also take into account of all the regulations and red tape that prevent both private parties and governments from constructing more parking. Yes, I could drive more if I knew that I would have parking. I drive a lot of Western and mountain backroads. Sometimes I have to shutdown with three or four hours left on my clock, because the next place to stop is three or four hours away, and it would mean getting there after 1900 pm.
Posted: 3 weeks ago
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Cool Places to take a break (with truck parking)
If you are traveling on the I15 and need a break, take the Jean NV exit and go 7 miles up Goodsprings Road to end up at the Pioneer Saloon. It was built in 1913 and is a one of a kind place. They offer dry camping and a cook it yourself outdoor BBQ, plus of course a restaurant with good food and a bar. The history of this place is amazing. There is a big dirt lot that I have seen trucks parked in. In non COVID times, they did a lot of events for bikers, so I'd call them before I headed up to make sure they have parking available. Well worth the drive if you are a fan of quirky history (think bullet holes in walls, supposedly haunted, Clark Gable and Carol Lombard...lots of history here. Pioneer Saloon
I park at the Terrible's Truck Stop in Jean sometimes. Never knew that this was near. I have to check it out sometime. Another interesting thing in Jean, is the Chevron off the I-15. It's the biggest Chevron in the world. Inside is a White Castle and a huge gift shop.
Posted: 3 weeks ago
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If you install and antenna on a bird perch on the passenger side, make sure you use a bird perch with two bolts and not the one with just one bold. I made the mistake of using a one bolt on my old truck. Whenever the antenna would hit tree limbs, or in a strong wind, the antenna would get over.
Would get knocked over.
Posted: 3 weeks ago
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If you install and antenna on a bird perch on the passenger side, make sure you use a bird perch with two bolts and not the one with just one bold. I made the mistake of using a one bolt on my old truck. Whenever the antenna would hit tree limbs, or in a strong wind, the antenna would get over.
Posted: 3 weeks, 2 days ago
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If your goin thru okc be safe this morning
This ice storm is looking bad. Be careful.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9250043/Multiple-injuries-people-trapped-cars-100-vehicle-pile-Texas-freeway.html
Posted: 3 weeks, 2 days ago
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Decided on Pride (hopefully) and private CDL school
Yes, we still use CB handles....
I am guessing yours is, well, PackRat.
Posted: 3 weeks, 2 days ago
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Postcards from the Road! (Post Yours Please!)
Found this prehistoric item in Quincy Illinois. Apparently its some kind of phone. That must have been fun to lug around it sure isn't gonna fit in your pocket! *sarcasm*
I am old enough to remember these before cell phones were affordable, and having to wait for teenaged girls to finish their phone calls before you could use one of these.
Posted: 3 weeks, 3 days ago
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CFI or Heyl or Paper Transport as my first job...
That's what I thought. I guess that is why some companies with reefer divisions name them climate controlled divisions.
Posted: 3 weeks, 3 days ago
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CFI or Heyl or Paper Transport as my first job...
That will vary by person.
I was told that when I was a baby and my mother wanted to shut me up and get me to go to sleep, she put me on the washing machine.
The reefer noise didn't really bother me but I did like it better if I were hauling ice cream or produce and could therefore leave the thing run continuously. With other products, they want it to cycle and I didn't like that so much but it wasn't terrible. For one thing, I used my CPAP thing as a snorkel and buried my head into my sleeping bag and that was enough to cut the racket. Newer reefer units are much quieter than they used to be.
I'd say the reefers on other trucks bothered me more than the one behind me did, and that is going to happen to you at truck stops whether you're pulling one or not. So I would try to park between dry vans or flatbeds and if I had to be next to a reefer I tried to line up such that my bunk wouldn't be too close to their reefer.
This reminds me of something I disliked more than reefers though, and that is trucks without APUs that provide sleeper power by cycling the tractor engine. I did really dislike that which was part of the reason I went IC and got an APU. So that is going to vary by company...you could ask your recruiter about it if that is an issue for you, and current drivers for the companies you're considering.
Dave, I know you have many years of experience with reefers. If I decide to go with Heyl my biggest concern is noise they make. How bad is it in the night when you try to get some sleep?
Silly reefer question. What happens if the dispatch states to keep product at 40 degrees, and you are traveling through areas of -10 degrees, is there a chance that the product could freeze? If so, what do you do? I believe Prime uses APU's. I hate parking next to apu's more than reefers. It's like parking next to a lawn mower all night, lol.
Posted: 3 weeks, 3 days ago
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So i cooke with my George forman grill. Ive cooked burgers, tilapia and pork chops on it
I have one of those too :D I am a kitchen gadget fanatic.
So whoever carries Instan Pot has 6qt? I was thinking about buying 3qt to take less space. Is it too small? Why 6qt?
I have a 6qt at home, so that's probably what I'd bring, just because I wouldn't have to buy one. If I was purchasing new, for just me on a truck, I'd get the 3 qt. If you have a freezing option on your truck, you could do up a whole mess of chili or shredded beef, or whatever in a 6 qt and eat for a long time without cooking...provided you don't mind eating the same thing day after day. It's awesome for pasta (if you eat it), no draining :)
I ended up buying the 6qt because they were sold out of the 3 qt. I am now glad that I purchased the 6 qt, because as you mentioned, I may cook up large batches to last me several days. I also have a toaster oven. There is now a three in one, microwave, air fryer, and toaster oven combined that I am considering.
Posted: 1 month ago
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I'm still here. I try and jump on and read what is going on.
I'm still mentoring for Swift but may be taking a position as an instructor with the academy. I should find out this week or next.
Big T?
Will it be at the Fontana location? If so, that's great. It probably would mean home nightly and weekends. Good luck to you.
Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago
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I forgot to mention that Swift also has drop yards at different locations that are not listed on their website, which aren't full terminals with facilities. You might also be able to park at terminals of Swift associated companies such as Knight and Central Freight.
Posted: 1 month, 1 week ago
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Biden suspends new oil and gas drilling permits on federal land
Didn't obama vow to bankrupt the cola industry?
Off topic.
It's not off topic. Obama was anti fossil fuel.
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Posted: 3 days, 10 hours ago
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To hazmat or not to hazmat
Thanks for all of the input guys. I took the load, and delivered without any problems.