Central Refrigerated Truck Stop

Are you running your TAS or ICON at all? Is the truck running while you sleep?

You can check your idle on the Qualcomm, so start keeping an eye on it. It resets periodically, so you'll need to check every day.

Contact OTR and get your truck in the shop. Tell them you're getting hit with excess idle, and you need to find out why. They might brush you off, but be persistent, and explain you can't afford the $300 in idle fees that pop up, when you're not idling. Tell them you need to have the truck and the software that records idle checked out. Keep pushing.

Contact safety. Tell them what's going on, and that you're trying to get OTR to get the truck looked at. Usually, if you get Safety involved on the truck, they drop the excess idle fees, but not always. If you're not running the truck at all, but you're getting charged with the idle, let safety know. If one system is messing up, others might. If nothing else, you're getting a bunch of people involved.

 

I'm surprised you don't have an ICON or TAS. What sort of a truck do you have, a Kenworth?

 

It's like any job. The first week you work, you won't be paid til it's processed. Most trainees get on a truck on a Wednesday-Friday, so it's at the beginning of our pay week. Then, you have to wait the week for payroll to process it and pay you. So, 2 weeks.

I forgot about the $100 they give you when you get on the truck. I didn't know if they still did that, so I didn't mention it. It is taxable, so you're not going to get the full $100. I ended up with $91 or something like that, but if you're careful, you'll make it through.

Two tips on making that money last until you get paid: get frequent fueler cards, and ask your trainer to stop at a store. Unless your trainer has you use his cards, and you guys get the team showers from them, make sure you have your own cards. You may not get enough points while you're out to use, but you won't have to pay for showers.

Most drivers know where a Walmart is they can get to. Ask your trainer to stop. Get yourself stuff to eat there: soup in a cup, cup of noodles, jerky, granola bars, etc. If your trainer has a fridge/cooler and a microwave, you'll be in good shape. Also, pick up a case of water or soda while you're there, and a reusable coffee mug if you drink coffee. Truck stops have a refill price for bring your own mugs, so you can save 20-50 cents per fill up of coffee with your own mug.

Truckstops aren't cheap. $1.79 for a litre of water, $1.59 for a 20 ounce soda. Or, you can purchase a flat of bottled water or a 24 pack of soda for $8 at your local big box store. To me it's a no brainer.

 

Kenworth T2000 with 425000 on it. My dm just told me he will try to get it reduced & maybe a new .... different truck. We will see what happens.
Thanks for all the advice,everyone.

 

Thanks for the info Smadronia. It was very helpful. Just have to watch every penny even after you start getting paychecks. None of the recruiters ever mentioned the $100 before. I did have a few more questions though. What day of the week are drivers paid? And if you are paid $67.50 per day, is that for a 5,6, or 7 day week? Are you still driving for Central and, if so, how long? How long after school do you usually end up waiting on a trainer?

 

From what Celticwolf was saying, it seems as though you will get $100 the first pay day after you get on the trainer's truck, but your actual pay for that week should be processed and paid on the next pay day the following week? is that right?

 

about the fuel thing? can i get enough fuel for the load before i pick it up or do i have to wait till i already have it then put fuel in. example if i have a 1/4 tank and i have to dead head 300 miles do i put 50 gals in and only have a 1/4 tank again when i get to my next load or can i put 100 gals in and have a 1/2 tank when i get my next load, knowing that I just used 25gals of that 100 gals for the load i am about to be on.. wow hope someone understands this and can help with how i should fuel if there is dead head miles

 

When you are assigned a load you will also receive fueling instructions as well as routing. Be sure to follow them both. If you are on empty you need to request fuel. They are not always accurate with the fuel routes,at least not with my truck.

 

barb, dont accept a REDUCED idle time if you havnt been idling. Dont pay a dime!!!
Wish you had a volvo, I have a tip or two for you You know how to reduce your idle time. Lease a truck, you wont idle it at all anymore

 

When we had the T2000, it kept having issues with batteries. Otrm ok'd idling. We idled just to keep it going.

Definitely needs to be checked out. Keep up with the idle percentages as it related to engine hours. See if iut makes sense to you. If not, you are doing good to fuss.