Enjoying these threads.

Bottom line. Driving is the easy part.

 

So what are new drivers supposed to do to make it “better for you all”

 

I live in SoCal. I've been a local driver for 20 years here. Once you get the experience you can get a local job that will take you home every night or every other night if you want. If you're already settled in Santa Barbara getting a local job should be easy. Heavy said that trucking is a way of life, that's true if you choose to do otr. Local driving is more a regular job. You clock in, drive around, then you clock out. Repeat. Since you're from SoCal you should already be used to the traffic.

Ever since weed was legal here in Cali I've found myself in situations where the smoke was overwhelming. I simply walk away from it. As others have said, drugs test are taken seriously in this business. California drivers are not exempt.

I never wanted to be a trucker. I never had the passion to be a trucker. But when all is said and done, I love coming to work and staring out the windshield and seeing the coasts, the deserts, the mountains, and the short skirts in the summertime, and most of all, the paycheck. I honestly can't believe they pay me to do this.

Good luck.

 

Yeah, I used to listen to KNX for traffic but now there's an app for that. lol. I mostly listen to KFI, I'm usually on the road by 6 pm and Conway is pretty entertaining.

I work for a private fleet. That's a non-trucking company that has their own drivers to deliver their goods. ie, Vons, Albertson, Arco, In-n-Out, et al. Here in SoCal, you can hook up with those outfits easily as long as you keep your nose clean. My employer has very strict social media policy so I'm going to stay anonymous for as long as I can. ; )

 

Truck driving is regulated by Federal regulations & they prohibit pot. No drug test will detect dope after 6 months. I would wait out the 6 months if you can be certain you'll never use again. You will be tested by school, employers, randomly, and after some accidents.

Nobody is much interested in debating the issue except dope activists. Certainly I don't care about hearing someone's Declaration of Stoner Philosophy. Use or don't use, but no use in trucking. No exceptions.

 

If you've only used once, will not use again, and you are past any detection keep your mouth shut. You are an application. You either have checked the box as drug user or not avdrug user. They have no discretion & no interest in your story.