Lots of Questions From A Noob

When it comes to being overweight; after a while you will get a good idea of where the 5th wheel and tandems need to be when you look at the freight.

 

i wouldnt personally do the OTR lifestyle for any less then $60k a year

call me what you want, but id rather make $15 an hour at some warehouse or even driving local for alot less money to be able to go home every night

 

OTR is a lifestyle. Some people wouldn't work at a warehouse or drive locally for 3 times the amount of money. It is all about doing what you love.

 

One has to be careful with that reasoning,I was a welder for three years;I "loved" it then. Most cops "love" their job,and so on etc..,. I think if to many people grab this idea of "lifestyle",companies pick up on this,and realize if most "love" trucking,why should we pay them more $$. Oh wait,I think they already have,which is why wages really haven't gone up for truckers in quite some time.. Gotta "love" it..

 

Go to school, get your cdl, get with a company that you can deal with, get a trainer, and then the real learning begins. That is the only way to say it. I know of only one company that will send you out with out a trainer, I am sure there are more, but they will make sure you can handle it. I would like to be driving a shiney new Pete. but were I am at I drive a Freightshaker, she aint pretty but the AC works and I make it happen. The driver is responsible, overweight, your fault, unsure on that weight, scale it find out for sure, better to pay a little than alot, you will get a feel for weight. 1st time you are close to max. you will know right away. There is a big difference between 20,000 and 80,000 pounds you will feel it. Learn all you can with a trainer he should teach you what you need to know, ( Show you the ropes ) , but you should be watching and learning, even when you go solo.

 

Correct me if I am wrong,

You are allowed to drive to the nearest scale to check your weight without being fined. Then return directly if over.

Mikeeee

 

PM, I beleive you are correct, what someone does after that is up to them. But we all know short on time and or money can cause some to make a bad choice. When emotions are high common sense is low.

 

You need to scale your load before crossing a permanent or portable DOT scale. Failure to do so may result in a fine if your load is not legal.

 

I'd never cross a scale and try to tell them I'm on my way to weigh the wagon. Remember they deal with drivers every day. How many times you reckon they have heard that excuse?