Comments By Dean R.

I used an app called "Weigh My Truck." I had to know the scale weights, how far apart the holes were, and where the tandems were when I weighed. I don't know how accurate the app is but I never had any trouble.

When I was at Schneider you paid for your own truck wash. They would do a quick was during a PM but that was it. Some OC's with a truck wash would give you a code, but that was rare and depended upon who was working the desk.

An update:

Swift declined my application. No reason given. That was a gut punch but...

CFI made an offer for me to get to orientation and take a driving test and spend a small amount of road time with a mentor - not because of my lack of experience but I was a Schneider driver. Okie dokie.

When I was with a TE we were cautiously rolling down 88 in Western IL in January of 2021 when came upon a semi jackknifed near the median. We slowed down more and my TE called 911 and then warned drivers by CB. The other driver was out of his rig and seemed okay. There was nowhere for us to stop since there was only one lane open and it blowing and drifting. I was driving at 15 to 20 mph

Tight areas can be stressful. I delivered to Walmart stores and their smaller Neighborhood Markets in Chicagoland, including Cook and Lake counties.

If it was the first load of the day and took a day cab sometimes it wasn't so bad. Getting in there with a full-size sleeper was often strenuous. I was often honked at, threatened and yelled at. I often had cars try to beat me to an intersection so I couldn't make the right turn.

The worst was a Neighborhood Market downtown. Had to blindside off a very busy street with cars parked on both sides. I had to ignore any angry motorists and concentrate on my back. A few of those neighborhood markets were known as safety record and career enders.

When I ran Walmart Dedicated I once made it to the gate with less than one minute left. As soon as my ELD said I was at my destination (the DC), I put myself in yard move with only seconds to spare. I dropped the empty, parked, and did my post trip. There were quite a few times when I returned from my second load with less than 5 minutes left on the driveline.

I ran so late one day that I parked at the Pilot in Rochelle, IL. I called dispatch before I went on duty and was told to "come on back." Well, that was bad advice. I was on the clock and ended up waiting 4 hours for a load from the DC. More than 25% of the DC workers had called in sick. It was a Sunday after all and a lot of the reefer loaders were not at work.

The Walmart in Davenport Iowa was famous for being slow. I arrived with two hours left on my 14. I just needed them to take off the last 4 pallets so I could get back to the DC which was 45 minutes away. I didn't make it. They were so slow that I had to creep mode from the dock to the parking lot since my 14 was out.

I went to an Americold facility to pick up a live load. Appointment time was 1800. I arrived at 1715. Expected load time was 45 minutes. I was there for 6 hours. I had to use creep mode off the dock to go park for my 10.

I know a few people who got their start working for the state depts. of transportation, such as IDOT and IODOT. They started with Class B's and no experience as highway maintainers. They usually want experience but will train the right person.

I ran Walmart Dedicated for Schneider out of Sterling, IL. Parked my rig at my local Walmart on my roughly 2 days at home. Working a 6th day usually netted me an extra $250.00. Walmart for me mostly a Wes thru Sunday gig. Also ran regional for Schneider making myself available at 0700 Monday for dispatch and got home late Friday or early Saturday. I had a high schooler at home, not a 10 year old. I loved that schedule and wish I kept it.

Both positions wore me out. I was hauling two loads a day for Walmart stopping at 4 to 5 different stores combined (and mostly Chicago and the suburbs). For regional I was all over between Oklahoma and Virginia, and south towards Atlanta. I still had quality time at home when I was there. School kept my son busy and the mrs. was busy.

Walmart paid a slight bit more but I enjoyed weekends at home.

I used the app when I was with Schneider. When the system works it's much easier than having to put all those numbers in on keypads in the freezing weather. I also used the CatScale app. I added my driver info and company credit card to the app.

I earned a lot of free showers and food discounts. I also added my veteran info and enjoyed the 10% discount.

Happy New Year! I hope everyone has a joyous year.

Highs - I'm a Great-Great Uncle again. My late brother's granddaughter had a little girl. (My brother was 16 when I was born... making me an Uncle at age 7). My son is doing great in College at Iowa.

Lows - I got Covid and now have long Covid. Sucks but I'm dealing with it.

Done Differently - I guess refused that load when I was coughing.

Goals - Get back behind the wheel. Lose 25 or more pounds.

Dean