Great forum, glad I found it. New guy questions

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by NewNashGuy, Jul 27, 2011.

  1. NewNashGuy

    NewNashGuy Road Train Member

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    Hello, I never even considered being a truck driver before. However I may be a natural as just the other day I woke up, threw on my shoes, and drove from Nashville to Atlanta in my car. I drove around for 12 hours straight without feeling tired at all. I then drove all the way back home to Nashville. I do not have my CDL license yet or anything but wanted to research what it is like being a truck driver and so far all of the negatives do not bother me (I can deal with rude people, wait times = free time to enjoy my day).

    I used to drive seven hours per day Mon-Fri delivering windows from city to city 10 years ago but that was a Chevy V8 truck and not a big rig. I am a single homeowner and a freelance programmer online so I only need to work for a hour or so per day. My dad was my only family and he passed away two years ago, so I am a loner now. While it Atlanta I realized that I can be anywhere and still conduct my business as long as I have online access.

    As long as I get to enjoy my music and watch online movies from my laptop, I think I would enjoy truck driving. I researched a lot of info regarding truck driving but still have some questions that I couldn't find online. I got into a habit of taking 10 minute breaks every 30 minutes or so just to avoid getting tired or achey. Even if I feel fine I step out, stretch, take off my shoes, and then get back to it. Do I have to log this action in the logger? Because I don't want someone making fun of me about all of the small breaks even though I will be sure to arrive on time or earlier as I am never late to anything.

    When I sleep in my truck and it is really hot or really cold outside, do I leave it running with the AC / heater all night? I always see truckers dressed in jeans and other heavy clothing. When it is hot outside, I like to just wear a tanktop and some gym shorts. Is that not allowed or something because I never see it. Of course every time I need to do labor I will get fully dressed for the task but while driving I like to feel like I am at home. Thanks guys :)
     
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  3. dave26027

    dave26027 Road Train Member

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    We're not sure what it's like to just work and get your job done. Uncle Sam makes sure we all stop working every 11 hours of driving and rest for 10 hours. Sure would be nice to work like we want, though. What's that like?
     
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  4. GasHauler

    GasHauler Master FMCSA Interpreter

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    Welcome to the site. It's a start but you'll never get all you need to know from the computer. It's a different life and you may be ready for it. All I can suggest is get as much information as you can and don't get stuck at a keyboard. Get out and seek information by visiting places and talking with prople. Truck driving is so versatile what many on this site fail to realize is you can drive a truck other than just pulling a van behind you. There's also different types of set-ups to trucks besides the basic tractor trailer. Not everyone is forced to drive for the bigger companies. However, you'll find that this is the easiest way and there's a good reason for that. Low pay and high turn over rate. So be smart and learn all you can before you make any commitments.
     
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  5. Gears

    Gears Trucker Forum STAFF - Gone, But Not Forgotten.

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    Welcome to the forum. Use the search function and you'll find many answers and ideas regarding this profession. This is a great place to find what you're looking for.

    To get more info, I'd suggest maybe going to a CDL school and speaking with the staff. They'll be able to answer a lot of your questions as most are former drivers.

    You can also talk to a recruiter from a company, but their take on things will more than likely be predjudiced towards their company. Afterall, it's their job!
     
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  6. PineyRider

    PineyRider Light Load Member

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    I have to chime in and say my truck seat is a lot more comfortable than my car seat and I don't feel the need to stretch nearly as much as when I take a trip in my car.

    Another thing is, I used to get really bad leg pain (in my right leg) while driving. My CDL instructor asked me one day as I was putting my wallet back into my rear pocket, "Doesn't your right leg ache sitting on that wallet while you drive"?? As it turns out that was my whole problem. Wallet now resides in my front pants pocket and ZERO leg pain.

    My truck has an A.P.U. (Auxilary power unit, or "Tri-Pac" as it's also called). It mounts on the side of the truck and supplies the cab with heat, A/C and 110 volt power. Not all trucks have them but I couldn't imagine going without one now that I'm used to having it.
     
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  7. NewNashGuy

    NewNashGuy Road Train Member

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    Thanks for the welcome guys :)

    I was going to do that actually as I know a truck stop next to a hip area downtown. I used to go to a restaurant there to use their restroom and would encounter truckers there all of the time. I am surprised that I never even gave a thought to becoming a trucker. I think with today's technology of being online everywhere and a fast laptop that can run any program is what made me think about it.

    Yeah I take out my wallet when I drive for long trips actually. Can anyone please take a second to answer my questions about having to log every single time I stop for a break even if it is for a few minutes, and if I have to leave the truck running all night if it is really cold or hot outside to keep the AC/heater on?
     
  8. CondoCruiser

    CondoCruiser The Legend

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    Hi NewNash, I live a couple hours east of you. The DOT and logbook requires you to log every change of duty status. If you are not familiar, there are four categories

    Off duty, not driving
    Sleeper Berth
    On Duty, driving
    On Duty, not driving

    To make things short, you are allowed to drive 11 hours in a 14 hour window. You can work 14 hours, but only drive 11. Then you must take a 10 hour break either offduty or in the sleeper berth. The logbook is graphed in 15 minute increments. So if you stop 7 minutes or less, you can just flag the stop in remarks. But it's to your benefit to maximize your driving clock. So log the stop.

    Once you get driving, you'll build up your endurance. On average I'd say drivers drive 3-4 hours and take a 15-30 minute break. Some less and some super truckers will even drive straight through. Some loads you might be pressed for time and you'll find yourself pushing it.

    The truck running thing depends on the company and state. Alot of your northeastern states and CA have anti-idling laws. For the most part everyone idles as it's your only source of AC/heat. But many trucks are being equiped with APU's (auxillary power unit) Basically it's a little diesel engine that mounts on the truck frame and provides a steady 13.5V to the truck, has it's own independant AC system and the coolant is attached to the truck engines cooling system to keep that coolant warm for cold winter starts. Some have generators also that supply 110V. But with a steady 12V on the APU, you can put inverters in the truck to power TV's, microwaves, dorm fridges, etc. Trucks are reaching the comfort level of RV's.

    One thing to consider when you job hunt is whether the company trucks have APU's. There's alot of companies that expect their students not to idle and burn up/freeze in their trucks. As you know a vehicle can become a sweat box in summer heat.

    An 18 wheeler uses about 1 gallon an hour idling. An APU uses about 1 gallon every 8 hours. Big difference when fuel is near $4/gallon.
     
  9. NewNashGuy

    NewNashGuy Road Train Member

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    Great. Wow this is kinda scary since the more I am learning about trucking the more I am liking it :) I am a military brat so a lot of my childhood was spent on the interstate so I suppose that is why I am so used to it. Even now I get a kick out of checking out all of the cities even if it is from the highway as I like to look at the buildings from a distance.

    As long as I get to ride solo and I have enough time to rest and have a little free time (an hour or so) I will be happy. I have worked some tough jobs so I am not one of those people expecting everything to be perfect, though every job has something to really be afraid about and so far nothing about trucking is scaring me.
     
  10. BigJohn54

    BigJohn54 Gone, but NEVER forgotten

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    You won't be able to take a 10 minute break every 30 minutes of driving. That would be 220 minutes/3.67 hours of breaks for 11 hours of driving. That pretty much burns up the 14-hour clock. It could work if you can get all your eating and bathroom time in those breaks and you didn't spend any time loading, unloading, fueling or doing you pre and post trip inspections. There is a lot more to a professional driver's job than driving. I'll share my standard advice.

    You need to research and find out what the important questions are. You can make an above average living but you will make sacrifices that other jobs don't require. Read the "good companies" and "bad companies" section on this forum and get an idea of what company you want to work for and what kind of trailer you want to pull. Don't just go to school and then try to figure out where to go.

    I don't know your financial situation. Don't take training from a company if you can afford it or get it with financial aid. You will be their slave for up to year. If you leave they will trash you DAC and credit record. Check out your local community colleges and employment office.

    Just know that most training and trucking company recruiters will do nothing but lie to you. They will let you talk about what you want and then tell you what you want to hear. Trucking is about moving freight to make money for the company. Your home time, family, paycheck and everything else comes second.

    It is not like any other job. Local is usually backbreaking delivery work 10+ hours a day, 6 days a week. Often you unload dozens of times a day or you are a salesman. In my area most dump truck jobs pay less than a good factory job. Regional is lots of loading and unloading time, fewer miles than OTR and not as hard as local but will wear on you and push your HOS limits. OTR is out 3 - 5 weeks with 3 - 4 days home, less manual labor and more miles.

    You'll probably have to pay your dues before you get the gravy job. Weekends off, if you are lucky enough to get something like that starting out, may be home Thursday afternoon and leave Saturday night or home Friday night and leave Sunday afternoon. Loads deliver on Monday early and you leave in time to get them there. Often your home time will be in the middle of the week.

    Regardless of your driving choice, after school you will go through company training. For OTR this can be six weeks to three months with little or no home time. The first phase is usually $400 a week and the second phase is $500-550 a week. Some pay less. One company pays 12 CPM for training.

    You don't want to wait around too long after training or you'll have trouble finding a job. If you get out before you have a year in, when you try to come back a few months later you will find they want you to start over.

    One last thing, if you have anything that makes you less desirable than your competing job applicants, a phone or in-person interview will often bring the best results. Even if I am the best candidate I will choose face-to-face if at all possible and phone if not. Sure you may have to fill out that online application but that isn't the best way to get a good job. You have to do something or be someone who stands out from the crowd. Do regular follow-ups by phone on the jobs you really want.
     
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  11. NewNashGuy

    NewNashGuy Road Train Member

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    Thanks I will follow your advice :) My home life isn't a big deal since the only thing I do here is stay on my laptop all day and mow the grass. I don't like going out on the weekends since that is usually when idiot teenagers are hot roding the roads and the cops are trying to give everyone a ticket. Yeah I live in the suburbs of Nashville where everything is dirt cheap so $400 - $500 per week would be able to afford me all kinds of things. Plus I have an internet business that has made money on its own for nearly 10 years now so hopefully it will continue to do well and I would be making over $80k per year in that case.
     
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