Should A New Driver Allow No APU/INVERTER to be a Deal Breaker?

Everybody has wants and needs and as near as I can tell he was just asking a question. I guess you always knew everything and never had to ask questions huh?

 

It takes almost no time at all.

They will send a message about my idle time and how I need to reduce it.
In the same message they will also say to stay comfortable because we need to be rested to drive safely.
It's really rather funny.
And we are supposed to idle in sub 15 temps, but that isn't taken into account with the idle time calculations.

I was written up for my idle time, once. It was about a year and a half in with the company.
I wasn't called in to sign anything, it was just mentioned by my DM when I was talking to him one day.
It never changed how I do things, and it is no big deal.

If Swift won't provide an APU, I will idle as I see fit. Period.
And I haven't been fired, even after 5 years of 'high idle times'.
There have been few months that I haven't had 'one of the highest' of everyone in the company, but I'm still here.

 

why shouldn't he want all those things?

 

Nothing wrong with demanding an APU. But a lot depends on where you will be running at various times of year. Times have changed, laws have changed, the industry has changed. You're entitled to "live and sleep" comfortably when that truck is not rolling (half the time). Phoenix in August, Minnesota in February, either can be miserable without adequate climate control or the ability to idle as needed (and not be financially penalized for it). No APU and they watch idle time like it was gold? screw that.

If you don't accept an offer because they don't provide APU's, make sure you tell them that when you tell them to stop bothering you. The only way things will get better is when enough stand up for themselves and their right to have climate control and power in a job that largely sucks enough without the other lack of amenities BS. Would you buy a car without AC and power steering? Of course not. And don't let the old-timers BS you with the line "I didn't have it when I started and I lived". They have it today to be sure and they are no better then you.

 

Otr trucking is a lousy, rough, rotten job for the most part, I'd be looking for that stuff if I was just starting out. Any intelligent person would.

 

I would get the most for my new skill. There are companies that you can sign up with that actually care about your comfort on the road at least . If you're going home daily or weekly you really don't need any comforts at all. But if you plan to stay out weeks or months at a time you NEED to make your truck like home.An apu or inverter can help. My driving instructor told my class to choose a company that let's you have an apu or at least an inverter and to switch companies 1 time your first year if you aren't comfortable and are unable to pay your bills. I definitely see why he suggested that. Most companies will not know you so therefore they don't have the ability to care about you to a certain extent. A company that doesn't allow you to at least have a 1000 watt inverter simply does not care about you at all and you're VERY FOOLISH if you think they MIGHT do! On the other hand the only item that you really need a big inverter for is a mini fridge and microwave. The average driver starves themselves with their little cooler or spends $70 to $100 a week on food AND STILL STARVE. I can spend $35 to $50 a week on food that I really enjoy and eat healthier. So if you don't want a fridge or you don't mind being treated like a caveman for whatever odd reason then don't worry about it. You'll see when u get out here. Either way, enjoy all the subway you'll be eatin' out here on the road! lol

 

Between the beer, Wild Turkey and food tonight I bet I spent $37 . No subway tonight lol lol lol. You be sure to send all your money home to your honey while you eat a sandwich in your truck