Question(s)

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by CalculatedRisk, Apr 4, 2026.

  1. LH98

    LH98 Bobtail Member

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    Jan 27, 2025
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    yes and no. They want you to have your idle time low, the first truck they had me in didn’t have properly functioning “Opti Idle” tech and I idled it whenever I parked, my driver leader was pissed that my idle time was high, but ultimately I was/am consistent, polite, and on time, and also, the opti idle just didn’t work, so the alternative was roasting in a 90 degree truck because I sleep during the day. so while it was something that got brought up, they didn’t care enough to do more then to complain to me about it. With CPAP machine, I’d suggest that you basically ONLY idle the truck when your sleeping to keep the time low, alternatively, you could also do what I did for my PC setup before I got a laptop, get a UPS unit, plug it into your inverter, it’s like a battery backup, so you plug your CPAP into that, and even if the truck power cycles in opti idle (which will cut the power to the inverter) the UPS will keep powering it. A good one is like, 200 bucks, but you can get them cheaper, I also don’t know what the power draw on your CPAP is, so you might be able to get a smaller/cheaper nice one
     
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  3. LH98

    LH98 Bobtail Member

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    Jan 27, 2025
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    That’s technically what I do (I get my mail at my parents house) Swift won’t let you have a cat in the truck btw, I left mine with my parents, and I miss her everytime I’m out on the road, but my parents love her, and she basically gets her own room lol
     
  4. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    123,956
    Dec 18, 2011
    Michigan
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    They make power supplies specifically for cpap machines.
     
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  5. CalculatedRisk

    CalculatedRisk Heavy Load Member

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    Jul 26, 2022
    Space Coast
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    for any new hire considering DOT foods, please know that when you deliver to a distribution center, they have you break down the pallet. Also, they pay good money too in order for you to do that. I ran into one of their drivers and he was kind enough to shoot me off a figure of how much he made in four hours worth of work. I think it was just about $500.
     
  6. wulfman75

    wulfman75 Road Train Member

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    Jul 15, 2010
    Athens, GA
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    They have a touch load division and a no touch division.
     
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  7. CalculatedRisk

    CalculatedRisk Heavy Load Member

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    Jul 26, 2022
    Space Coast
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    my apologies I was not aware of that.
     
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  8. CalculatedRisk

    CalculatedRisk Heavy Load Member

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    1,020
    Jul 26, 2022
    Space Coast
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    how easy is it to get a twic card if you already have your passport? I'm getting my passport in the summer and I might as well get my twic.
     
  9. LH98

    LH98 Bobtail Member

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    Jan 27, 2025
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    it’s about as hard as any other trip to the DMV, it’s basically just a background check, you can schedule it online to make it way easier, you just bring your passport, fill out a few forms, and your good (I think it takes a few weeks for them to send you the card)
     
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  10. LH98

    LH98 Bobtail Member

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    Jan 27, 2025
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    Keep in mind that’s really hard work. They pay you, but they make you work for it. Swifts Dollar General routes are similar, they pay super well, but if you not in decent shape it’s murder
     
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