I Am Without An Assignment
Topic 32285 | Page 3
So here I sit in Denver, broken-hearted. Came to drive but can’t get started.
Hey Bruce, I have an assignment, but I am doing the same thing you are. I am sitting.
I have been running recaps for some time now, but I am doing a 34 hour reset now. I picked up a multi-stop load Friday in Delhi, LA with the first stop being in Altamont, IL. I took it easy getting up here, but I am unable to deliver Monday because of the holiday. It is just the way it falls on some of these three day weekend holidays. Try to enjoy your break. That's what I am doing. My three daughters have given me a challenge to write a book for my grandkids. So I took this time off to work on getting started on that.
Old School;
Wasn't there a book in the works, for the motoring public w/ 18 wheels, awhile back ?!?
Whatever became...? (Or did I just imagine that ?)
~ Anne ~ 
I agree with G Town and Dave I wouldn't have my job now with an auto restriction.
Yep, one of the FIRST things Cassie asked Tom, w/PittOhio: "You don't have that E restriction, do you? (Nope.) You have all your endorsements?" To which he replied, "Need to re'up my HazMat is all." She said they'll pay for that. Is it easier because he's had it before, anyone know??? Hmmmm... research time again, Anne!
There's an assignment for ya, BK... find OUT for me, haha!
~ Anne ~
ps: I do believe that in the LTL and specialty niches, it's necessary.
I think it’s more about comments like this
“ It’s totally unnecessary in today's world of trucking.”
People may lose out on truly great opportunities and they should know that going in.
HAZMAT:
Hazardous Materials
Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations
LTL:
Less Than Truckload
Refers to carriers that make a lot of smaller pickups and deliveries for multiple customers as opposed to hauling one big load of freight for one customer. This type of hauling is normally done by companies with terminals scattered throughout the country where freight is sorted before being moved on to its destination.
LTL carriers include:
- FedEx Freight
- Con-way
- YRC Freight
- UPS
- Old Dominion
- Estes
- Yellow-Roadway
- ABF Freight
- R+L Carrier
I was right up against the end of my 70 after a week of running recaps and thought I would be told to sit somewhere for a 34. Then I get a load to Michigan from New Jersey. It delivers tomorrow morning, so I hauled butt to Michigan with it and parked. Get a 34 under load. Found myself a good parking spot and enjoy the rest. College football is awesome. I am glad that I didn't do that 34 a few days ago because I probably would have been sitting over the weekend without a load and a full clock.
How 'BOUT that game, Ryan ?!?!?? 
It WAS good, though. I'll give you that !! OSU did better'n I'd expected!
~ Anne ~
I was right up against the end of my 70 after a week of running recaps and thought I would be told to sit somewhere for a 34. Then I get a load to Michigan from New Jersey. It delivers tomorrow morning, so I hauled butt to Michigan with it and parked. Get a 34 under load. Found myself a good parking spot and enjoy the rest. College football is awesome. I am glad that I didn't do that 34 a few days ago because I probably would have been sitting over the weekend without a load and a full clock.
How 'BOUT that game, Ryan ?!?!??
It WAS good, though. I'll give you that !! OSU did better'n I'd expected!
~ Anne ~
Defense was better than I expected, for both teams. As far as offense...
WOOF
Both teams fought like hell. Them Buckeyes earned that one.
I think it’s more about comments like this
“ it’s ltotally unnecessary in todays world of trucking.”
People may lose out on truly great opportunities and they should know that going in. 🥺
Bruce has an opinion:
Why on earth would you say something like this? False, shortsighted and kinda ridiculous.
I have the perfect job (for me) right now; all their trucks are manual, including a 6-wheeler rated at 38,000lbs. If I had the auto-restriction on my license, I would not have this job and would not be enjoying my life as much.
Manual transmissions are not obsolete, only for the TL carriers. My opinion; if you can train on a manual, make the best of it.
G town, yes I have an opinion , as do you. You call my comment out as ridiculously wrong. Really? What exactly is so ridiculous about it? You know how to drive a manual, I know how to drive a manual. Does everybody need to know how to drive a manual to qualify as a truck driver? I think not.
Seriously, Mr Klutch? Are you saying I’m sitting because I don’t have a manual endorsement? Actually, I did get an assignment several hours ago. Going to PA. I bugged the company, and apparently the squeaky wheel does get greased sometimes.
I don't think that's what Klutch meant. The common idea here is that some local companies still have a fair number of manuals in their fleets. Basically, if an opportunity for excellent pay and more time at home comes along, it would be a shame if the only thing that disqualified a driver is an auto-only restriction.
I’m in complete agreement with G on this one. There are tons on manuals still in this industry. The only ones jumping in completely to the auto pool are large truckload carriers. They make up approx. 10 percent of all trucks on the road.
If you want to limit your career choices to only 10 percent then take the easy road and drive an auto. If you want to make yourself marketable across the industry then learn to drive a manual.
It comes down to personal choice.
I’m in complete agreement with G on this one. There are tons on manuals still in this industry. The only ones jumping in completely to the auto pool are large truckload carriers. They make up approx. 10 percent of all trucks on the road.
If you want to limit your career choices to only 10 percent then take the easy road and drive an auto. If you want to make yourself marketable across the industry then learn to drive a manual.
It comes down to personal choice.
Well said, good sir.
Heck, I can drive a manual; just can't pass my DOT physical!
~ Anne ~
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.
Bruce this is a ridiculous and false statement:
Based on several of the replies you received, including mine, it is necessary. Can you get by without it? Yes. But to make a blanket statement that driving a manual isn’t necessary, it sure as hell is, depending on the job.
Ok, G Town, let’s agree to disagree. I will restate my opinion, it is not necessary for me, personally, to drive a manual. But I do agree that it is advantageous to have the ability.
Perhaps we can come up with a statement that that more accurately describes what BK may have been trying to say. Something that also supports the fact that knowing how to drive a manual is not obsolete.
While knowing how to drive a truck with a manual transmission is not necessary in today's trucking world, it is an advantageous skill to have
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
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Bruce this is a ridiculous and false statement:
Based on several of the replies you received, including mine, it is necessary. Can you get by without it? Yes. But to make a blanket statement that driving a manual isn’t necessary, it sure as hell is, depending on the job.