Qualcomm

I have been wondering what kind of information that you receive on the qualcomm when you get a load. I found on TT where it had a list of things it could give you. But I wanted see it and so I found some videos on YouTube with a guy driving for Swift Transportation that were really great. This is the first in the series, there are about six of them. I am sure that not all companies use all the features that he was using I guess but I thought this was very informative and would recommend it all us newbies that are just getting into trucking. Let me know your opinions especially you more experienced drivers.

Hey that's very cool - thanks for letting us know about that! For anyone interested in learning more about the Qualcomm system that drivers use, well there ya go!

I have watched a couple of his videos, but had not seen this one. Thanks.

I took a look at the video and I thought it was very informative. Coming from a person that does not know anything about this stuff, I think I would want to learn the paper way to do things so I would understand what the Qualcomm is doing for me.

I took a look at the video and I thought it was very informative. Coming from a person that does not know anything about this stuff, I think I would want to learn the paper way to do things so I would understand what the Qualcomm is doing for me.

You have to learn the paper way, and have a paper log book with you in case the elog has problems from what I understand. But you only have to use the paper if elog goes down.

I watched another video where the guy suggested using paper logs to plan his trips. He would void one out and use it to map his hours for the upcoming trip.

After watching some of his videos, I think there is a deeper lesson to be learned. His showing how some of the Qualcomm is great but pay attention to what he is doing.

When he puts in his arrival date he always chooses the latest time possible. He schedules himself for 8 hrs driving and shoots for a certain miles per day. When he hits those miles he says he can pretty much stop even though he has time left on his 11 hr clock.

Later he has a video saying he is leaving swift. Why? Because he is not making enough money. Can anyone figure out why?

I know I am new to all of this. But one thing I know I have learned from Brett's book and all of the great posters here on the forum is its about getting the loads delivered as safely and quickly as possible. I know everyone will have different goals, but it sounds like his is to make more money. To do so he should have been looking at his log book instead of looking for another company. In a later video he is even talking about going back to swift to become an O/O.

Just thought I would point it out for all the other newbies like me.

Woody

Excellent points you make Woody.

I watched another video where the guy suggested using paper logs to plan his trips. He would void one out and use it to map his hours for the upcoming trip.

Be very careful about that. It's fine to do, but you don't want DOT seeing any sort of logbook pages or an extra logbook laying around that doesn't match the others. Back before electronic logs and all of the scrutiny that truckers get nowadays we used to run two (or more) paper logbooks so we could cheat the books. So the old school DOT officers are looking for that kind of thing. The big companies have gone to electronic logs but the majority of the industry is still on paper logs so that kind of cheating still goes on and DOT watches for it. They might jump up on the step of your truck to talk to you and see an extra logbook or extra pages laying around and now you have some serious explaining to do. Just be aware of that.

Thanks Brett, I meant to go into more detail about the things you mentioned (it was pointed out on the video) but I got side tracked.

Oh the problems with having a simple mind lol.

Woody

There are many things to look at when planning a trip and driving.

You mention about driving 8 like it was a bad thing. Yes a driver does have 11 hours they can drive. But remember. If you drive 11 hours everyday, day in and day out. You will eventually have to do a 34 or 36 hour restart.

During your restart you make NO money. My trainer had to take one, therefore we set. I make training pay, but he doesn't make a thing.

Yes, you should always get the load there on time and even early if you can, but you also have to keep an eye on your hours.

And I have found out since getting on the road. Calling a receiver if you are early. Not all companies allow that. We have already been told here. We go through our DM if we are early. We NEVER call a reciever without the DM's approval. If we do, we will be looking for a job somewhere else.

And going through your DM to request an early delievery. That can take a day or two to get an answer. So it kinda defeats the purpose.

Keep it safe out here. Joe S.

Good post Joe, I did jump to some conclusions that could be wrong. That's the great thing about everyone's input here. Something that seems obvious to us getting started can have new light shed on it from those with more experience.

I really appreciate the input about going through the DM about arriving early. I was already thinking that's how I would prefer to do it, but had not even considered the delay that could result.

Woody