"4 Questions In One Thread"...

First of all...let me introduce myself...i'm 23...i'm currently a student in All State Careers truck driving school...and i wanted to ask a few questions that are semi important to me...

1. Dry Van Vs Flatbed?...

I know that i will me more active in driving the flatbed because i have to tarp and protect the load...i don't have a problem with that because i like to work and want to stay active and not be unheathly on the road...also flat bed seems to have more vision then the dry van...but i want to know input on try dry van vs flatbed...

2. Common Mistakes Made From A New Driver?...

What is some things or mistakes that you made from being a new driver...

3. Lot Lizards?...

I don't know about you guys...but i want to be happy on the road...lol...any input on lot lizards?...pricing...whatever...

4. U.S Xpress?...

I had this company come to my school and i'm intrested in this company...automatic trucks...nice looking trucks...side camera for blind side...i know they don't do flatbed...but i still would want this company as my number one choice if i choose to do dry van...or i might do dry van for maybe a year then go to flat bed...i don't know...but if i can get into U.S Xpress...then i would do dry van...

 

I prefer flatbed. Just because you don't have to go to the city as much and you don't have to hit docks that are small enough to count as compact spaces. Some of these docks out here are really hard. It's hard to say what mistakes new drivers make the most. Probaly backing into something, or not swinging thier trailer wide enough. Other than that a lot don't log correcty and take loads that they shouldn't. I've only seen a few lizards and let me tell you that there ain't no way I'm going in there. I have heard good and bad about U.S. Express. I can't give you to much info on them.

 

Dry vs Flatbed

Really thats all a matter of personal prefferance. I prefer dry and reefer but that doesnt make it a right choice for everyone. One thing about flatbed I prefer is a lot of flatbed drivers spend more time close to home. They get a chance to see the family a litttle more often. But there are lots of dry box companies with good home time options as well. I considered US Xpress also, every single driver I talked too with them was happy there. So in my opinion they are a good choice.

Common Mistakes

From what I have seen they also vary but the most common I think is getting over confident. Every 30 yr driver out here will tell you they still learn new things all the time. I have seen way too many accidents from new drivers that simply got over confident. They will try to drive in weather they shouldnt, they dont listen to their body when it comes to fatigue. They try to do what the other guy did rather than do what they are comfortable with and so on. Log books are pretty easy if you just do it legel. Stay within your comfort zone and you will do a lot better.

Lot Lizards

I am married so I cant tell you anything about them except they are everywhere and I have yet to see one I would think would be safe. Not too long ago a driver took one into the shower....several hours later the janitor found the driver with his throat slit in there. Most that I have seen are just nasty!

US Xpress

Like I mentioned earlier I havent hear anything bad about them. All the drivers I talked too were happy there. They all said similar things, they made the money they wanted and got the home time they wanted. I would have looked further at them but I went with a lease company so all I have is word of mouth. I'm sure they have some drivers on these boards that can offer you moere.

 

My Brother does flat bed and has lost a lot of weight by tarping and such and somtimes sees home a lot during the week and sometimes once or twice an always home on the weekends, mostly, lot lizards well i wouldnt touch one and there was a dateline on tv the other night where people are kidnapping teens and making them protitute in the truck stops, wouldnt want for anyone to get caught with. as for US Express my friends dad worked there before he retired, seemd to like them ok, other than that good luck on your choice.

 

Thanks...for everyones comments...i'm leaning more toward making U.S Xpress my number one choice...

 

I could be wrong, but from what I've seen you'll be unloading your own trailer a lot with USX. I'm sitting in my sleeper sweating right now, I don't think I'd care to be in the 53' oven.

 

Well starting off i wanna be making as much money as i can for atleast the first 2 months...first 8 checks...so making that bonus loading/unloading money a be nice...once i got like $2,000 saved and i'm still continueing to get paid and save like 80% of each check...then i'll be more relaxed and unload and load when i'm in the mood or whatever...

 

1. I myself would recommend carhual but if thats not your choice I would go with flat bed, the more exercise the better driving will put on the pounds and park as far from the buffet as you can and walk.

2. Allways rushing slow down and show respect on the road to others and share the space.

3. Do youself a big favor and stay away if nessary use either one of the two you were given, rosey palm is much safer, if not at least a cat house there are pleanty out there.

4. Don't know mush about US Express but you see alot of them out there so they must have there market share of freight

GOOD LUCK

 

I have one question? Why would anyone want to know anything about lot lizards other than how to keep them away from your truck? It is almost like you want a price range or special rate?????

 

lol...i gotta make sure i'm happy on the road...i'm too old to be jerking off homie...