Some New Questions

The list keeps growing so here are some more random questions.

1- What's the craziest thing you've seen going on in a passing car?

2- Is there any rules about appearance? I have a tattoo on my lower arm that I have to cover up at my current job. I'm also considering growing out a zz top style beard.

3- Do many companies go to Mexico? I see a lot about going to Canada but nothing about Mexico.

4- How often do you come across low bridges? Are they few and far between or are there a lot of them?

5- As a company driver for a large company does the company pay the tolls with EZ pass or something? Those prices are crazy for 18wheelers.

6- Does anyone have experience with pets on the road. The companionship seems nice but shedding and litter boxes would be a pain. Also if you have a dog I'm sure its difficult to find a place for them to run around. Thats probably why so many companies have banned them.

7- How often should you do your pretrip? Every time youstart driving for the day? Before each load?

8- As a company driver does the company assign your fuel stops or do you just fill up as you see fit?

I haven't started driving a truck yet, but I couldn't resist this - too much fun!

The list keeps growing so here are some more random questions.

1- What's the craziest thing you've seen going on in a passing car?

Besides the typical application of mascara, cell phone meandering type distractions, the craziest I've seen had to be the woman taking care of her man...

2- Is there any rules about appearance? I have a tattoo on my lower arm that I have to cover up at my current job. I'm also considering growing out a zz top style beard.

Swift requires a neat and tidy appearance. No idea on tattoos, but I'd imagine the beard won't fly.

3- Do many companies go to Mexico? I see a lot about going to Canada but nothing about Mexico.

I don't believe any companies actually go far into Mexico yet. I'm not sure if they even enter Mexico. Despite NAFTA going into effect in January 1994, very little has been done about standardization of trucking equipment across our southern border.

4- How often do you come across low bridges? Are they few and far between or are there a lot of them?

They're everywhere. Watch out for the sides of the Cross Bronx (12'6") after you cross the George Washington Bridge in NYC.

5- As a company driver for a large company does the company pay the tolls with EZ pass or something? Those prices are crazy for 18wheelers.

Yep. Swift has a combination deal called Pre-Pass. It covers EZ Pass tolls, and communicates with weigh stations before you have to enter. Yeah, $15 per axle to cross the GW seems excessive.

6- Does anyone have experience with pets on the road. The companionship seems nice but shedding and litter boxes would be a pain. Also if you have a dog I'm sure its difficult to find a place for them to run around. Thats probably why so many companies have banned them.

Swift won't let company drivers bring pets. I believe lease operators may be able to, after all, they are responsible for the tractor.

7- How often should you do your pretrip? Every time youstart driving for the day? Before each load?

Every day, and before every load. Check the essentials while on the road. You never know when some joker has decided to pull your fifth wheel release handle!

8- As a company driver does the company assign your fuel stops or do you just fill up as you see fit?

Fuel stops are pre-planned by Swift.

Why the heck would ANYONE pull a fifth wheel pin on another persons rig? What would be the point? Is this considered a funny thing in the industry? It doesn't seem a bit funny to me. Also, aren't there fifth wheel locks which would make this impossible? I thought I heard someone mention a lock? I know there's a king pin lock because I'm supposed to buy one so, am I getting my info mixed up?

There is no fifth wheel lock some do pull ur fifth wheel although very uncommon BC they are mad at ya they hear of old schoolers doin this back in the day so like any lil kid they want to be like daddy so to speak.

Now crazy stuff cars do well I witnessed what a breast pump does at 65 MPH, Companies give ya fuel stops and a Rte but do learn how to read an atlas ,low bridges are everywhere and do a pre trip everyday or before starting ur clock,I have to stop there my tablet is low on bat.and acts like a fool when charging.

My recruiter told me that they like there trailers to much to take in to Mexico. They would all get stolen.

There is no fifth wheel lock some do pull ur fifth wheel although very uncommon BC they are mad at ya they hear of old schoolers doin this back in the day so like any lil kid they want to be like daddy so to speak.

Now crazy stuff cars do well I witnessed what a breast pump does at 65 MPH, Companies give ya fuel stops and a Rte but do learn how to read an atlas ,low bridges are everywhere and do a pre trip everyday or before starting ur clock,I have to stop there my tablet is low on bat.and acts like a fool when charging.

Too funny now that is multi tasking - got to feed the baby! I guess it would be in any truck drivers best interest to check that fifth wheel everytime you get out. Has anyone seen or experienced someone releasing a fifth wheel for spite?

I don't think I would be comfortable going into Mexico. Not with the stories I've read about lately.

GA Rookie you're the one going to crete on the 19th or was that someone else?

1) No lie, I saw a guy getting "special attention" from a girl driving down the freeway in Nebraska. I guess you need something to do while driving through those vast cornfields...

2) There are no rules about appearance, so you're tattoos shouldn't be a problem. I've seen some sloppy looking guys and girls out there, and some very nice looking guys and girls out there. It all depends on you and how you dress.

3) There are some, but I don't think there are too many. I could be wrong on this one.

4) Low bridges can sneak up on you, when you get a gps, make sure it's a truckers gps so you don't "top" you're truck and trailer. NO company will hire you again if you damage you're truck going under a low bridge. Always be aware of where you're going.

5) Companies will pay for you're toll, I don't know any who won't - UNLESS you're driving in California where the EZ pass doesn't work on our special bridges, but the company should reimburse you for the toll after you've submitted the receipt.

6) Don't have any experience driving with pets in a rig since Central didn't allow them, but there's always areas at rest stops and truck stops where you can walk Fido and let them do their business.

7) You should do your pretrip at least once a day. Sometimes you may need to do it more than once, say for example you start the day off and drive to you're delivery, then pick up another load with more drive time left, it would be a good idea at the least to do a pretrip on you're new trailer if you get one. And it couldn't hurt to do one on the truck either, it just builds good habits. And always check the fifth wheel release handle, there are some sick people in this world.

8) Central assigned our fuel stops and how much fuel we were to get at each stop. It depends on the company I'm sure, but since gas prices are high now, it probably wouldn't be a good idea to ignore the fuel routing plan they've assigned, if any.