looking for some advice...

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by tangerineGT, Jul 30, 2014.

  1. tangerineGT

    tangerineGT Road Train Member

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    Okay , well some of you guys have seen I found a company I want to try to get in with, and I have some questions..

    I seen this company (Honey Locust) has a ad on craigslist looking for a livestock driver, with a year of CDL experience. Now I had called a few weeks back ( maybe a month or two ) and had asked what experience they require . They told me a year.

    Now , where the advice comes in .
    I was thinking since the ad is on there and thats what I am looking for . Would I sound like a pain in the ### if I called and asked if there is any way I could get in without a year . I know some places say that because of insurance reasons.
    I am tempted to call , but I just dont want them to think ; oh, hell this guy cant listen , and then mess it up all together.


    Next thing I am kinda wondering about is that they require a TQA certifacation ( for hogs ) .
    what is involved in getting said certifacation ?
    What does percentage of load mean as far as pay ? Is that good or bad ? ( its 25% )

    Thanks for any advice ahead of time.
    I mean I only have a few more months , and I really should put in my time first . However what would you do if it was what you are looking for ?
     
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  3. Passin Thru

    Passin Thru Road Train Member

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    TQA Hogs can speak their own language. You have to learn to squeal pig. Actually look at this site. It's just a class for handling hogs including piglets and sows.
    http://nationalhogfarmer.com/behavior-welfare/0201-industry-extends-tqa-focus Never spray pigs down with cold water on a hot day either, They have a heart attack and die. I hated hauling hogs, they run between your legs and knock you down in stinky pig poop.
     
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  4. tangerineGT

    tangerineGT Road Train Member

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    I have to learn pig squeal ? Ah see thats not gonna work .
    maybe my wife would better at this job . She can squeal pretty good..:biggrin_25523:


    Okay , all jokes aside . I have talked to quite a few guys and they all said the same thing about pigs ( they are a pain ) but I have to start somewhere ...

    Thanks for that link . I will take a look .
     
  5. 201

    201 Road Train Member

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    Good heavens, man. I've hauled just about everything you can think of (except radioactive materials) and never once did I ever consider hauling any kind of livestock. I know we have several livestock haulers here, and for the life of me, can't figure out why they would do such a job.( are you getting rich doing it?) Perhaps someone who does that can enlighten me as to why they do that. Personally, I think the smell of crap is extremely disgusting, as I can barely stand myself for those few minutes in the bathroom in the morning, much less, make a living with it. I'd think these days, there would be a better place for your trucking talents. And I don't eat meat,(except turkey, which I've heard preparation is equally as disgusting) and realize there are many other uses for ground up animals, but I think you could do better.
     
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  6. dca

    dca Road Train Member

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    That sure does sound like veganism to me..

    and to think the poo from animals help provide organic vegies

    its a dirty job and someone hasta do it..
     
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  7. 201

    201 Road Train Member

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    Hi dca, well, I'm no vegetarian, I'll admit, I love a good steak (if someone else cooks it), and I even was a "liquid nutrient application specialist" (poop hauler) for a short time, but to haul animals to these slaughter houses, just doesn't sound like a good start for a newbie, especially when there are so many other opportunities now for drivers.
     
  8. KAK

    KAK Medium Load Member

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    Call them up, most insurance companys require 1 year experience, if they need drivers and like what they see, many can talk the insurance into givin ya a shot on a probation period.

    TQA piece of cake !!!

    Percentage pay is done quite a bit. IF their loads have a decent rate there is nothing wrong with that type of pay. it is usually done if your loads are short runs vs longer runs. ie. load pays $1500 to the truck, you would get %25 of the $1500.

    Loading and unloading pigs is a little bit of work. It is a lot like brain surgery, pretty easy if ya know wtf you are doing.
     
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  9. tangerineGT

    tangerineGT Road Train Member

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    Yeah , maybe I will give then a call then. I mean it cant hurt, I guess.

    From what I know you hit the nail on the head , all their runs are pretty short .
    they pick up out of farms in , New york , Ohio , and PA. Then take them to Hatfield plants down in Virginia.
    Oh and I would be loading , but once I hit Hatfield , they do the unloading . Drivers arent really allowed out of the truck from what I was told by one of their drivers.

    Thatnks again for the input.....
     
  10. tangerineGT

    tangerineGT Road Train Member

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    [QUOTE="semi" retired;4161053]Hi dca, well, I'm no vegetarian, I'll admit, I love a good steak (if someone else cooks it), and I even was a "liquid nutrient application specialist" (poop hauler) for a short time, but to haul animals to these slaughter houses, just doesn't sound like a good start for a newbie, especially when there are so many other opportunities now for drivers.[/QUOTE]


    Yeah , I had thought about it . It maybe not the best thing for a new driver to get into , but I have made up my mind that this is what I wanna do. Dont ask why because I really dont have a good answer other then this is something I have thought over and its the choice I made to peruse. .

    I know it will be smelly and not really concerned about that so much , I grew up on a farm when I was younger , and also worked on a dairy farm over the summer when I was out of school. So I know it can smell pretty ripe :biggrin_2559:

    I thank you for your input , its like you said though . "Someone has to do it"
     
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  11. Powder Joints

    Powder Joints Subjective Prognosticator

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    The best way haul a pig is with it in 60 lbs boxes
     
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