Just Over 4 Months In... Question About Bunks & Tanker Endorsements
Topic 13860 | Page 1
Don't think you're going to be able to "add a bunk" to an existing truck - especially one that DOESN'T BELONG TO YOU.
Just saying.
Doesn't WEL (like others) require a year out of a new hire, to "pay back" the cost of training?
Rick
You can try talking to WEL and see if your new truck can be one with double bunks. Some companies only give those to trainers, but if you plan to have passengers, you can let them know you'd like the extra space for your passenger.. doesnt hurt to ask, just talk with your DM/FM
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.Fm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Don't think you're going to be able to "add a bunk" to an existing truck - especially one that DOESN'T BELONG TO YOU.
Just saying.
Doesn't WEL (like others) require a year out of a new hire, to "pay back" the cost of training?
Rick
No, I went to tractor trailer training school on my own. I'm not under any contract with WEL.
You can try talking to WEL and see if your new truck can be one with double bunks. Some companies only give those to trainers, but if you plan to have passengers, you can let them know you'd like the extra space for your passenger.. doesnt hurt to ask, just talk with your DM/FM
I'll see my DM and the owner tomorrow - so I'll talk to them then I just wasn't sure if the bunks were built in - there's a ledge in my current truck that is in the same spot as the bunk in my training truck... And it's got these ridges that look like something would just hook in there.
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.Fm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Keep in mind they will send u out again with a trainer for the tanker. Probably 1 month. Also ask where the routes are for tanker. I LOVE prime.. reefer... but I live in NJ and was asked if I wanted to drive tanker so I could be driving to Newark constantly. ... uh.. no. I have no intention of putting myself in Newark on purpose lol. Besides I live 2 hrs from there.
Reefer:
A refrigerated trailer.
Keep in mind they will send u out again with a trainer for the tanker. Probably 1 month. Also ask where the routes are for tanker. I LOVE prime.. reefer... but I live in NJ and was asked if I wanted to drive tanker so I could be driving to Newark constantly. ... uh.. no. I have no intention of putting myself in Newark on purpose lol. Besides I live 2 hrs from there.
They told me if I went before 6 months of driving experience I'd be "in training" for 6 weeks... But if I waited 'til I had 6 months experience then I'd just do a week or two of training learning how to do the tanker stuff and then I'd just be on my own.
I live in Rhode Island and my terminal with WEL is in Allentown, PA.
They told me if I was in RI I'd be doing North East regional - but the Mrs wants to move to North Carolina, they said if I was in NC then I'd be doing OTR
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
Regional:
Regional Route
Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
Reefer:
A refrigerated trailer.
WEL ended up giving me a brand new truck! A 2017 Peterbilt with 38 miles on it - there's a fridge, wall mount for a flat screen TV, a fridge, an APU , a full-size bed *and* a twin bunk over it.
I'm very happy and I'm sure my wife is going to be comfortable when she comes out with me next week.
If they keep treating me so well, they're going to be stuck with me
APU:
Auxiliary Power Unit
On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.
Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.
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Originally I had planned to go with Roehl or TMC. I had orientation dates scheduled with both.
Then, for some reason, I found myself online and found WEL. I ended up applying for WEL on New Year's Eve and was heading to Green Bay on January 4th.
I'm really loving what I'm done and regretting not listening to my wife 15 years ago.
I got my tanker endorsement when I was home last week. I've been talking to Prime. Anyone with tankers - is it worth it to switch from reefer to tanker as a new driver? Any tips? I have an offer with Prime, but I can't do start with them 'til after July 4th as I have a lot of stuff to do (doctor's appts, a wedding, our wedding anniversary on the 4th) between now and then and WEL has been pretty good with getting me home when I need to.
I'm just worried that WEL is treating me so well that I'll go somewhere else and regret my decision.
Also, bunks. My training truck had two beds (bunks). The truck I have has just the one. I'm getting my new truck this week as the one I'm in now has seen better days. If I get another truck with just one bed - how do I add a bunk? Is it something I can buy somewhere? My wife wants to come on the road with me for the month of May, but I don't want to have her be super uncomfortable with the two of us trying to sleep in a twin sized.
Reefer:
A refrigerated trailer.