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Where to go from here??

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Katie L., Aug 3, 2021.

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  1. Aug 3, 2021 #1
    Katie L.

    Katie L. Bobtail Member

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    Aug 3, 2021
    New Mexico
    0
    A little background first: early 2020, I bought a box truck(which I'm much more comfortable with!) shortly out of CDL school. Got a job with it, nothing approaching an incident ever. But I had to leave that job because my truck started giving me no end of problems thanks to that #### Maxxforce engine. Now, it's almost ready with a better engine after a few months in the shop. To(barely) pay my bills in the interim, I took a job with Western Express--a BIG step up, driving a semi truck! Bottom line, the semi was too much. My first day solo, I was attempting a sharp, narrow right near downtown L.A. Thought I had it, then heard the dreaded crunch as the top of my trailer clipped a pole mounted traffic light. My first accident--I WAS HEARTBROKEN!! Ended up quitting and turning in my keys the next day. How badly will this affect my ability to find work with my box truck? There was no citation with the accident and no damage to the truck, will it still go on my CDL record? And will a freight broker still work with me? Thank you in advance for any helpful answers you can give.
     
    Katie L., Aug 3, 2021
    Katie L., Aug 3, 2021
    #1
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  3. Aug 3, 2021 #2
    Midwest Trucker

    Midwest Trucker Road Train Member

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    Don’t worry about it. Won’t affect what your doing now at all. IMO.

    I’d probably forget you ever worked at WE if it was me.
     
    Midwest Trucker, Aug 3, 2021
    Midwest Trucker, Aug 3, 2021
    #2
    RedForeman, feldsforever, Kyle G. and 1 other person Thank this.
  4. Aug 3, 2021 #3
    MTN Boomer

    MTN Boomer Road Train Member

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    It is on the internet, it will follow you.
     
    MTN Boomer, Aug 3, 2021
    MTN Boomer, Aug 3, 2021
    #3
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  5. Aug 3, 2021 #4
    201

    201 Road Train Member

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    high plains colorado
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    Okay, calm down, you're all over the place here,,,1st, welcome aboard, you'll find some sharp folks here that can help ( not me so much) 2nd, the box truck. With shortages in drivers for semis, I'd think a small box truck for little stuff, you'd make a killing. Welcome to the world of owner/operator, if it's any consolation, it's one crushing defeat after the next, and unless you have solid accounts, repairs will surely do you in. You are already starting out in the hole, what if something else happens? Not sure a MaxForce is a bad motor, I like Detroits, but when on your own, so many things, insurance is the biggie, of course, accounts, and like you see, repairs, all but nix it for an O/O today. My advice, I think you're right, going from a straight truck to a semi may not have been the best choice. Doing ANY damage today is unacceptable, and quitting didn't help either, you should have bit the bullet, told the boss, and kept going. One minor incident doesn't mean firing. Sorry, with record keeping today, this will follow you for years, so an O/O may be your only choice. Good luck, I've never sugar coated anything in my replies, and it doesn't look good for you.
     
    201, Aug 3, 2021
    201, Aug 3, 2021
    #4
    Kyle G. Thanks this.
  7. Aug 3, 2021 #5
    Lonesome

    Lonesome Mr. Sarcasm

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    You should be fine.
     
    Lonesome, Aug 3, 2021
    Lonesome, Aug 3, 2021
    #5
  8. Aug 3, 2021 #6
    SteveScott

    SteveScott Road Train Member

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    Wow, first day solo was in downtown LA? Talk about setting you up for failure. This is why most companies put new drivers on OTR with open freeways, because there aren't any obstacles to hit. Don't blame yourself for that one, blame your employer.
     
    SteveScott, Aug 3, 2021
    SteveScott, Aug 3, 2021
    #6
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  9. Aug 3, 2021 #7
    feldsforever

    feldsforever Road Train Member

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    Get back in the big truck. Every needs a year experiance. No short cuts.
    Welcome
     
    feldsforever, Aug 3, 2021
    feldsforever, Aug 3, 2021
    #7
  10. Aug 4, 2021 #8
    201

    201 Road Train Member

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    high plains colorado
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    I agree that's pretty irresponsible of Western, sending someone with no T/T exp. to a place like LA. Just shows how desperate they are. Used to be, they would hire drivers that practiced prevention rather than just hire anybody and deal with "after the fact". Pretty bad,,
     
    201, Aug 4, 2021
    201, Aug 4, 2021
    #8
    Katie L., Lonesome, SteveScott and 1 other person Thank this.
  11. Sep 21, 2021 #9
    Katie L.

    Katie L. Bobtail Member

    2
    1
    Aug 3, 2021
    New Mexico
    0
    I've heard the whole range of replies to my original question, and my thanks to all who took the time to answer--even if sometimes the answer wasn't what I necessarily wanted to hear. To update my situation: I am definitely getting back in the big (STRAIGHT/BOX--no semi w/53 for me! LOL) truck. I'll be rolling in 2 weeks maximum, this time for myself, not as an employee. Both dispatch services offering me a contract are OTR. But box trucks seldom come with both a 26' box(which they need) AND a sleeper compartment. And those that do---too rich for my blood LOL. Can a driver legally sleep on the bench seat to log sleeper berth time per DOT regulations? If not, does OOIDA membership offer discounts on lodging for truckers? If not--who's got some good ideas that maybe I haven't thought of? Thank you in advance!!
     
    Katie L., Sep 21, 2021
    Katie L., Sep 21, 2021
    #9
    Lonesome Thanks this.
  12. Sep 22, 2021 #10
    Lonesome

    Lonesome Mr. Sarcasm

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    I don't believe you can sleep across the seat, and call it a sleeper.
     
    Lonesome, Sep 22, 2021
    Lonesome, Sep 22, 2021
    #10
    God prefers Diesels Thanks this.
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