Comments By Harvest

2 years ago I was rear-ended when making an unprotected left-hand turn in my pickup. Driver was cited for inattentive driving and I went away in an ambulance. I heard mixed answers on this issue, some people say that some companies will still hold it against you and not hire you based on it. I know it affected my insurance a bit. Doesn't make much sense to me if that is the case since there was literally nothing I could do.

Some forums say to not even report it when applying, and that if you are not ticketed, it doesn't show on MVR. Obviously, I am still going to report it, not worth risking that. No other accidents, tickets, or even warnings on my record. Just turned 25, this shouldn't hinder me too much right?

About to test to get my cdl again, excited and starting to look at companies. Feels awesome to learn on a 10 speed manual, I know most companies are automatics, but I like not having that restriction. It was actually really fun driving in a manual, except when we hit crawling traffic on the road. And it was annoying to have to shift in the middle of turning.

5G router - Gives your truck wi-fi! Plug your sim directly into the router (if your carrier allows), otherwise connect the router to your phone with a USB cable and set your phone up as a hot spot with the USB connection.

I'm a little confused about this. Phones have Wi-Fi hotspots built in. Why would you need a router?

Plus the hotspots on your phone get throttled very fast to dial up like speeds. Something I heard other truckers using, that I plan on getting is 5G home internet router. Technically, you are only supposed to use it in your home. But it works in your truck, unlimited internet that doesn't get throttled. 25$ a month and comes with the router. https://www.verizon.com/5g/home/ Tmobile also has their own.

Do you know how to float gears?

Also wanted to add, today was the first day I drove in traffic in the manual. And boy that was a little tricky! I over-revved a few times not paying enough attention to my rpm's. And sometimes forgot what gear I was in and didn't use the trick I was taught to look at my speed to find out what gear to be in. Also been a few years since I was on the road at all. But it went well!

Not a bit, these last few weeks were the first time I drove a manual anything! And the instructor only taught us and wants us to double clutch, as that is what you are required to do on the test.

Also wanted to add, today was the first day I drove in traffic in the manual. And boy that was a little tricky! I over-revved a few times not paying enough attention to my rpm's. And sometimes forgot what gear I was in and didn't use the trick I was taught to look at my speed to find out what gear to be in. Also been a few years since I was on the road at all. But it went well!

The CB radio is basically like gamechat in a Call of duty match lol. Everyone talks smack because it is not actually face-to-face. Also, allot of people sometimes even myself take actions on the road personally, and you get that little internal road rage feeling when someone does something you don't like. Plus the built-up frustration many drivers have due to their job or home life.

Going back OTR in a month, almost done re-doing cdl school! Learning on a 10 speed, and I really enjoy shifting! It is actually really fun going through the gears, and especially downshifting. Could only imagine how fun it would be with a old straight piped truck lol.

When I go back on the road, I want to make sure I am prepared. It always sucks being out there and realizing you don't have something you wish you brought. I want to make sure I bring a first aid kid, a small tool set, garbage bags, things like that. What are some items not commonly considered that I should bring? And what would be the most useful toolset to bring with me? Thanks guys.

Hey Harvest, you asked, "Is there a catch?" The "catch" is that to the uninitiated it sounds like you'd be making more money. Now that you've got a little more information, you did the math and figured it out. Good for you!

Being a rookie always has its struggles. One of them is the pay. Doing well in trucking is really dependent on the person behind the wheel. You've acknowledged your past mistakes and immaturity. Get started now with a solid company that has a large fleet and practice improving your net results. That's where the money lies. You have to be really productive. Remember when being paid for the level of work you do means you have to be getting a lot done.

There is a lot of complications to being productive, but the professionals out here conquer those things like foes and enemies. Just understanding how to drive the truck is a very small part of the formula for success at this. Put in some time and keep in touch with people like the drivers here in this forum. There's so much to learn until you start earning really good money. You can do it, I'm confident of that.

I've got a friend on my fleet who made fifty thousand dollars two years ago. I made twice that. We both have the same rate of pay. He started asking me for some advice. This past year he earned eighty thousand dollars. He just needed some help understanding things that help you get more and better loads. Nothing changed with his pay rate, yet by learning how to be more productive he increased his pay by thirty thousand dollars. He's still got room for improvement. Most of us do, but it takes resolve and commitment.

Yeah, it definitely sounds good before you look into it. After deducting everything, you would need almost double that for to be remotely worth it after expenses. And yeah, I was definitely immature still at 21. I feel like a completely different human. I started working IT from home after I was injured in a car accident. Moved out on my own for the first time and have real world experience. Getting that real life living on your own experience makes you take things a bit more seriously. I'll be honest, OTR will never be the life I want. But it will be a means to a end. I NEED that experience for me to get the hourly local position I want for my career.

Yeah after doing research, even at $1500 a week, it would not be worth it. $1500 a week would be more than I've ever made in my life. However medical insurance is a pretty big thing for me. And looking up what health insurance would be, let alone putting things aside for other things like tax and retirement. Just not worth it, not sure what companies are paying nowadays, but I doubt $1000 a week would be that far off with little experience since allot of training pay is $900 right now.

They are not paying taxes nor workers compensation payments as an employer with a driver driving their trucks. Many don't even carry insurance for the vehicle, cargo, property, or the driver. You cannot be classified as an employee when operating their equipment, unless it is a lease, which at that point is a sub contractor. These 1099 companies are circumventing the law and literally cheating on their taxes.

So those are the questions I need to ask if I even consider hearing about his offer. I did not seek this employment, I was messaged by him directly. I am not looking for shortcuts in this career, however, when someone offers me employment claiming to pay $1500 a week, I am going to look into it. And part of looking into it is asking people that are knowledgeable on the matter here. Claiming I am looking for shortcuts is a very broad statement that is honestly insulting. I am only active on this site when I am seeking information.

How about hiring on with a reputable established company that does things legally (not an illegal 1099 company) instead of jumping on the first shiny object that sounds good? Benefits, no quarterly taxes, 401K possible, workers comp., paid vacation, solid maintenance plans, established customer freight, etc. Anything there sound like it makes more sense?

I often wonder if we're getting through to you after the past couple years on here, Harvest. You are active for a few weeks, disappear to another job for awhile, then come back with "well that didn't work out". Repeat.

How much solid advice do you require? There are no shortcuts to becoming a successful driver. Repeat that ten times each day until it sinks in.

Literally just asking about what the downsides are. It could also be solid information for anyone else that has been offered such a position. So what is illegal about it? I was just genuinely curious, if I did not care, I wouldn't be asking on this site at all.