Training Location Vs. Home Location
Topic 27446 | Page 1
Welcome to the Trucking Truth site, Benjamin! Good question that many have when considering driving.
Where you live is no matter to your school, or closest terminal. You can bring your truck and/or trailer home for your days off, it just needs to be parked in a safe, legal location like the nearest truck stop. Some can literally bring the tractor home to their own driveway.
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.
It's really quite simple. You don't need a terminal or drop lot near your home. You just need somewhere to park the truck. That could be a nearby truck stop or a grocery store or maybe a lumber store or any other business that will give you permission to park there for a few days.
I park at my home, but you probably don't have that privilege. Be on the lookout in your area. See if you can find places where you see trucks parked. It may surprise you once you start looking.
Incidentally there are a couple of drop lots that Knight has near you. There's one in Oakland, and another in San Leandro.
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.
Benjamin, I forgot to welcome you to our forum - so, Welcone Aboard!
Also, I should have pointed out that I drive for Knight. My terminal that I'm dispatched from is in Gulfport, MS. I live in Texas! As you can see, there's no close proximity between the two. We are mobile. Don't let locations be a deterrent or a difficulty for you.
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.
I’m pretty sure they’ll get you, either by bus or other means, to your first truck. When I started with Schneider and completed orientation, they paid for a rental car (up front) so I could drive from the Florida panhandle to the Nashville location to get my truck.
I hope this helps.
I’m pretty sure they’ll get you, either by bus or other means, to your first truck. When I started with Schneider and completed orientation, they paid for a rental car (up front) so I could drive from the Florida panhandle to the Nashville location to get my truck.
I hope this helps.
Knight did the same for me. Rental car from Carlisle, PA to Joliet, IL to rescue my new, used truck from a shop up there. They also paid for all gas, tolls, and motel charges. Mine ended up being five days until I was actually driving it.
Thanks for the warm welcome and helpful replies, much appreciated.
That's a super helpful tip that Knight has a drop lot in San Leandro. Safe to assume that I could park there on days off without issue?
If Walmart doesn't allow parking and you live in an urban area that doesn't have a drop lot nearby, what are some of the other places you've heard that people park? Also, on these days off, is it normal to only have to worry about the tractor and not the tractor-trailer combo?
I ask because it's likely I'll be moving in the next year to the midwest (Chicago or Milwaukee area) and I'm not sure if there are drop spots near there for Knight or Walmarts, etc.
what are some of the other places you've heard that people park?
Anywhere big enough to fit a tractor-trailer. Strip malls, box-stores, rest areas, etc. You may have to get creative. The key is to obtain permission to park at that location.
is it normal to only have to worry about the tractor and not the tractor-trailer combo?
Typically, an OTR driver will always have a trailer with them, so that's something to consider.
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.
Peltier one thing to keep in mind about your future move is the way Illinois handles CDL transfers. With all other states you're able to simply transfer your license to a new state with no issue. Illinois is different and will require you to take the state test at the DMV again regardless if you have been driving 2 months or 20 years. Of course this is getting the cart before the horse but i want you to be aware of it if you're considering a move there. Also, knight has a yard at 3301 W Mound Rd Joliet, IL 60436
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.
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.DMV:
Department of Motor Vehicles, Bureau of Motor Vehicles
The state agency that handles everything related to your driver's licences, including testing, issuance, transfers, and revocation.
Knight has a drop lot in Joliet, IL that I used to drop trailers at, or grab a relay trailer from.
Why would you move to Illinois? I can see leaving California, but then to Illinois...? Personally, I'm of the "less government is best" mindset, but that's just me.
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I'm close to pulling the trigger on starting a training program.
My concern is what will happen when I finish the company training and return home. Do I need to live by a drop lot or terminal?
To give a specific example, let's say I go with Knight Transportation which does training in Phoenix, AZ. I live in Hayward, CA which is not near their listed drop lots/terminals. Does that mean I would need to figure out how to get to one on my own if I want to continue driving for them?
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.