Most Important Questions From New Drivers Threads

[YankeeRebel51]

Hello,
Driver going on four months, love what I do and enjoy the driving. Drive a 2005 volvo cummings engine piece of sh_ _ !! Broke down more times than loads going out. Family man wife twins house two cars all that stuff. Before I did this worked in the IT field making 81k per year. Was laid off due to outsourcing, for 21yrs thats all I did. No company will pay that money now to a 51yr old man when they can pay some college person. My point is, money per week is hard to achieve, I dispise my dispatcher and can't stand the otrm mech's. At my pace for the next 8 months with truck staying healthy could I maintain good money per week? What kind of advice would u have to keep family happy and bills paid? Would like to get that 1yr in first before trying other compaines. Not sure how to handle dispatchers or how this buisness really works. Any web sites that can help would be good. Would like to make it as a driver and maintain a good relation with company.
Thanks for any help or advice at this point.

[GrumpyDad]

Well first off your right by wanting to get at least 1 year in before going any place else. Second, I'm not sure who you have been talkin to but there is no way you are going to make the kind of money your used to being a new driver. I don't know who your drivin for but I'm sure they know about all the breakdowns. If it were me I would probly go to the head guy and explain to him that with all the breakdowns your not making any money. Give him a chance to rectify the situation. If after a while it don't get any better then I would definently look for something else before you lose everything you've worked for. Keep a calm tone when you speak to him and by all means don't ditch his equipment. It's been my experience that these owners don't take to kindly to raggin on their trucks. I hope this helps a little bit. Try not to get discouraged it will get better once you get your first year in. Providing you don't have any accidents or incidents. If I can be of any more help please let me know. Good Luck!

[Foomangoo]

GrumpyDad - man, that light blue color font burns my retina's, lol

Originally Posted by YankeeRebel51

Not sure how to handle dispatchers or how this buisness really works.

This would be a good thread for an experienced driver to start.

[GrumpyDad]

Sorry about that "FooMan", it made it easier for me to see with my darkblue background. My eyes are'nt what they used to be, I can see this color pretty good also. I hope this helps, I would hate to think you went blind because of the color I chose to write in. LOL LOL

[Skunk_Truck_2590]

Yankee, if I'm not mistaking and I know this from a few companies but you can fire your dispatcher. This does not mean they loose their job, you are just choosing someone else. Ask about it and state the problem.

[kd5drx]

Originally Posted by YankeeRebel51

Hello,
Driver going on four months, love what I do and enjoy the driving. Drive a 2005 volvo cummings engine piece of sh_ _ !! Broke down more times than loads going out. Family man wife twins house two cars all that stuff. Before I did this worked in the IT field making 81k per year. Was laid off due to outsourcing, for 21yrs thats all I did. No company will pay that money now to a 51yr old man when they can pay some college person. My point is, money per week is hard to achieve, I dispise my dispatcher and can't stand the otrm mech's. At my pace for the next 8 months with truck staying healthy could I maintain good money per week? What kind of advice would u have to keep family happy and bills paid? Would like to get that 1yr in first before trying other compaines. Not sure how to handle dispatchers or how this buisness really works. Any web sites that can help would be good. Would like to make it as a driver and maintain a good relation with company.
Thanks for any help or advice at this point.

Well i went the opposite of you was a truck driver for 15 years now in the IT world but not state side. Now here is how you handle your dispatcher. You ask to talk to his/her boss and when you talk to them make sure you have every thing documented and keep good accurate records. You don't want to come off as a whiner but you want them to know that this is not right and you have the proof. Now as far as break downs if its the same thing all the time and they fix it at there shop every time then be sure and bring that up at the time you ask for a different truck. explain to the boss hey i need to be able to run to make money and setting the shop is not making me or you any money. While you are talking to this person be sure and hold your temper and not be confrontational try and be as diplomatic as you can and remember you catch more flys with honey than vinegar but get your point across and be prepared for the well thats what we have take it or leave it. I don't know if you are with a big company or a small one but if you have problems with you dispatcher try and find other drivers on there board and see if they too have problems with them if they do then get some of them to talk to the boss as well since that would indicate a over all bad dispatcher. Hope this help's and if your willing to travel and be away from home and want work in the IT field again send me a message and i am sure i can get you in a position that will pay way better than driving.

[MAJIK Lady]

Originally Posted by YankeeRebel51

Hi,

Finally have a class a license, ready to drive and earn some cash.
Leaving Monday for Utah and working for Central Refrigerated Services Inc:
Driving with trainer Wednesday am.
I now have a postive attitude about driving and lots more respect for truckers in general.
Chuck:

Good for you....Good luck

[gamblmomma]

Hi Grumpydad. I was reading a post you sent to a newbie I think back in March. Anyway seeing the years you've been on the road I thought you might have some advice about the truckin world. My husband and I are thinking about going out as a team but his big hangup is what are th retirement 401k opportunities with ,well the company we're looking to go to school for is schneider,Kids are grown and we're looking to see the country and make money doing it. You sound like you have a good head on your shoulders, any info would be greatly appreciated thanks

[Madame Butterfly]

Hello Everyone,

I am new to trucking, just getting my CDL's on July 7. My hubby is an OTR trucker for Summitt Trucking out of Indiana. We are strongly considering going with Covenant Transport due to the fact that they will let hubby train me. I have heard good and bad about this company. Could I please get some feedback, whether good or bad.
__________________

[LadyDallasDriver]

Its not all peaches and cream: My uncle drove for them for 5 years and made really good money but was gone all the time I mean came home like twice in the year. He talked me in to running team with him on the air freight runs they kept us so busy our heads were spinning! My checks were never better than at Covenant I just could not keep up the truck only stopped for fuel and loading and unloading that it! He had been there awhile so we split his team pay rate. My checks alone were about $1200 a week after taxes!! Anyway I have been driving 10 years (6 verifiable) and those were the best checks, just gone a lot. I had heard a lot about spouses training each other there it seemed ok for them. Yea we had our moments of to much togetherness after all he was family...Any there werre times I wanted to scream at the loads we got but just took them. With Trucking you have to be patient with any company you drive for but there worth a shot. I would stay away from Stevens not so good...lol Covenant...there are worse companies!
Good luck to you and see ya down the road....