Some Information On The Trucking Industry.
Topic 251 | Page 1
I dont know any companies that will make you stay out 6 months at a time. Most Over the road companies are in the 4 to 6 weeks out range. That pay is about right the first 6 months up to a year but it goes up.
The points thing is called CSA 2010 and its complicated. There is a whole Federal site about it here.
http://csa.fmcsa.dot.gov/default.aspx
Over The Road:
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.
CSA:
Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)
The CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicle
FMCSA:
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
The FMCSA was established within the Department of Transportation on January 1, 2000. Their primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries.
What Does The FMCSA Do?
- Commercial Drivers' Licenses
- Data and Analysis
- Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement
- Research and Technology
- Safety Assistance
- Support and Information Sharing
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
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.
Thank you for the information Corporal Clegg. I am looking the CSA site over and there is some good here. I live in the D/Fw area and I am thinking of starting with FFE as they are based out of Dallas. I have also been curious about the best way to start in the industry, should I go through the carrier sponsored school and sign the one year contract or would it be better for me to find a reputable school in my area and get my CDL from them?
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
CSA:
Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)
The CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicle
EPU:
Electric Auxiliary Power Units
Electric APUs have started gaining acceptance. These electric APUs use battery packs instead of the diesel engine on traditional APUs as a source of power. The APU's battery pack is charged when the truck is in motion. When the truck is idle, the stored energy in the battery pack is then used to power an air conditioner, heater, and other devices
Thank you for the information Corporal Clegg. I am looking the CSA site over and there is some good here. I live in the D/Fw area and I am thinking of starting with FFE as they are based out of Dallas. I have also been curious about the best way to start in the industry, should I go through the carrier sponsored school and sign the one year contract or would it be better for me to find a reputable school in my area and get my CDL from them?
I'm just trying to get into the idustry myself but from what I've seen its really up to you. If you find a good school and you can afford it then you won't have to be contracted for a year. On the other hand if you can't afford a private school then a company sponsored program is a good option. Everyone also recommends staying with your first company for at least a year to build experience so to me I don't see the contract being much of a problem. I think if you have the right mindset and attitude for truckng ulyou can go either route and be successful.
The others here can probably give you more detailed advice. I believe there is also a s ction on this site about choosing what kind of school to attend and such.
Best of luck to you.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
CSA:
Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)
The CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicle
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
EPU:
Electric Auxiliary Power Units
Electric APUs have started gaining acceptance. These electric APUs use battery packs instead of the diesel engine on traditional APUs as a source of power. The APU's battery pack is charged when the truck is in motion. When the truck is idle, the stored energy in the battery pack is then used to power an air conditioner, heater, and other devices
Evidently your cousin is grossly misinformed or just under informed about CSA and trucking in general.
Follow the link to the FMCSA website and follow the links there for in-depth rules. But basically it works like this......
Points for speeding is 10 points. Since the point system works on a "Decay Points system" that 10 points get turned into 30 point for the first year. Now on the 2nd year on the those points fall to 20 points for the violation. And on the 3rd year it goes to 10 point. The forth year the point for THAT one violation comes off altogether.
Driving violations and equipment violation points stay on you CDL for 3 years. It has nothing to do with your DAC report as that is your work history and job performance history while at those jobs.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
CSA:
Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)
The CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicle
FMCSA:
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
The FMCSA was established within the Department of Transportation on January 1, 2000. Their primary mission is to prevent commercial motor vehicle-related fatalities and injuries.
What Does The FMCSA Do?
- Commercial Drivers' Licenses
- Data and Analysis
- Regulatory Compliance and Enforcement
- Research and Technology
- Safety Assistance
- Support and Information Sharing
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.DAC:
Drive-A-Check Report
A truck drivers DAC report will contain detailed information about their job history of the last 10 years as a CDL driver (as required by the DOT).
It may also contain your criminal history, drug test results, DOT infractions and accident history. The program is strictly voluntary from a company standpoint, but most of the medium-to-large carriers will participate.
Most trucking companies use DAC reports as part of their hiring and background check process. It is extremely important that drivers verify that the information contained in it is correct, and have it fixed if it's not.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Thank you for the information Corporal Clegg. I am looking the CSA site over and there is some good here. I live in the D/Fw area and I am thinking of starting with FFE as they are based out of Dallas. I have also been curious about the best way to start in the industry, should I go through the carrier sponsored school and sign the one year contract or would it be better for me to find a reputable school in my area and get my CDL from them?
Nothing wrong with starting at FFE. Stevens (who I am with) is also in the Dallas area and would be a fine choice as well. As for schooling, its really up to you and what works for you. Nothing wrong with going to a company sponsored school or going private.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
CSA:
Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)
The CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicle
EPU:
Electric Auxiliary Power Units
Electric APUs have started gaining acceptance. These electric APUs use battery packs instead of the diesel engine on traditional APUs as a source of power. The APU's battery pack is charged when the truck is in motion. When the truck is idle, the stored energy in the battery pack is then used to power an air conditioner, heater, and other devices
The 6 months out maybe when ur out with a trainer but after that ya will be out 2 - 3 weeks then home bout 2 - 3 days depending on the company 3 - 400 bud a week yea with a trainer after that ya will average 5 - 800 a week depending on ur dm and how ya drive.
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.
Thank you for the information Corporal Clegg. I am looking the CSA site over and there is some good here. I live in the D/Fw area and I am thinking of starting with FFE as they are based out of Dallas. I have also been curious about the best way to start in the industry, should I go through the carrier sponsored school and sign the one year contract or would it be better for me to find a reputable school in my area and get my CDL from them?
Nothing wrong with starting at FFE. Stevens (who I am with) is also in the Dallas area and would be a fine choice as well. As for schooling, its really up to you and what works for you. Nothing wrong with going to a company sponsored school or going private.
How was Stevens schooling and what has been your overall impression of Stevens Transport?
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
CSA:
Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA)
The CSA is a Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) initiative to improve large truck and bus safety and ultimately reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities that are related to commercial motor vehicle
EPU:
Electric Auxiliary Power Units
Electric APUs have started gaining acceptance. These electric APUs use battery packs instead of the diesel engine on traditional APUs as a source of power. The APU's battery pack is charged when the truck is in motion. When the truck is idle, the stored energy in the battery pack is then used to power an air conditioner, heater, and other devices
How was Stevens schooling and what has been your overall impression of Stevens Transport?
I have been very happy at Stevens. Been here 2.5 years now. Went through the school there, through training, solo company for a very short time. Leased a truck abd then recently became a trainer. Now Im about to buy a truck and stay here a few more years at least.
All in all they are a great training company. Most do their 1 year and move on and thats fine. Its a good plave to get your start.
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Greetings everyone!
I have been reading the forums here and some of the blog articles, everything has been very helpful. I have been thinking of getting into the trucking industry for a number of years now and the door looks like it might have opened recently(I was laid off from my job). I have a cousin that also works in the trucking industry and I managed to speak with him briefly about the industry. He noted that the big companies will keep you out 6 months at a time before you get any home time and bring in a pay check of $300-$400 a week. He quickly mentioned a points system, but didn't really get into detail about it, like I mention I only got to speak with him very briefly. He said every ticket or infraction costs a certain amount of points and once you have 200 points acquired you are no longer employable by any companies. What is this point system? Is this point system related to your DAC? Is there anyway to get points back? For example, if you get a ticket for a tail light being out and that cost you 15 points, is there a way to get the fifteen points back or are those points gone forever? How about being kept out six months at a time? Has this happened to anyone here? I have heard stories of people being out for like a month and a half or two months before getting any home time, but never six months.
DAC:
Drive-A-Check Report
A truck drivers DAC report will contain detailed information about their job history of the last 10 years as a CDL driver (as required by the DOT).
It may also contain your criminal history, drug test results, DOT infractions and accident history. The program is strictly voluntary from a company standpoint, but most of the medium-to-large carriers will participate.
Most trucking companies use DAC reports as part of their hiring and background check process. It is extremely important that drivers verify that the information contained in it is correct, and have it fixed if it's not.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.