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New to driving.. crappy equipment... questions..

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by tjcase85, Jun 26, 2014.

Page 1 of 5
  1. Jun 26, 2014 #1
    tjcase85

    tjcase85 Bobtail Member

    38
    17
    Apr 23, 2014
    Cincinnati
    0
    I have been driving for 2 months now. I just started a local job and have been there for two days. There equipment is rough. Very rough. Just to name a few

    No AC in truck. Truck has an air leak. You can hear it leaking while driving. None of the trailer doors close fully. Half the trailer lights aren't working. Missing mudflaps, etc. I am new to driving and I usually only travel less than 50 miles out. Its a good hourly wage but its making me nervous. They don't have any logs nor are trip inspections. What all do I need to keep with me in the truck? I don't want any dot violations on my record. I am just here to get experience. What do I need to lookout for? What do I say to them? When is it not legal to run? I don't run over any scales though but I don't want any trouble with dot. Any help will be appreciated. Thanks.
     
    tjcase85, Jun 26, 2014
    tjcase85, Jun 26, 2014
    #1
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  3. Jun 26, 2014 #2
    harlycharly55

    harlycharly55 Medium Load Member

    608
    513
    May 5, 2014
    Houston, TX
    0
    Park the truck! It's YOUR DAC if you get caught! Not worth it!
     
    harlycharly55, Jun 26, 2014
    harlycharly55, Jun 26, 2014
    #2
    "semi" retired, MJ1657, Toomanybikes and 1 other person Thank this.
  4. Jun 26, 2014 #3
    tjcase85

    tjcase85 Bobtail Member

    38
    17
    Apr 23, 2014
    Cincinnati
    0
    So basically tell them tomorrow I can't drive? Until its all fixed?
     
    tjcase85, Jun 26, 2014
    tjcase85, Jun 26, 2014
    #3
  5. Jun 26, 2014 #4
    Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

    74,701
    169,855
    Aug 28, 2011
    Henderson, NV & Orient
    0
    Not much unusual about that. Many local companies run junk trucks just to stay in business. They rarely, if ever, cross scales. As far as experience, few companies are going to recognize your driving experience with a local company, especially one staying within 50 miles of the terminal. Personally, I wouldn't rock the boat at all with this company. They hired you when you needed a job after all. Just accept the working conditions or move on.
     
    Chinatown, Jun 26, 2014
    Chinatown, Jun 26, 2014
    #4
  7. Jun 26, 2014 #5
    damutt

    damutt Road Train Member

    1,126
    370
    May 6, 2013
    0
    i would have them at least fix the mud flaps and air leak,. depending on what lights are bad, just replace them yourself should only take a few min to do
     
    damutt, Jun 26, 2014
    damutt, Jun 26, 2014
    #5
  8. Jun 26, 2014 #6
    tjcase85

    tjcase85 Bobtail Member

    38
    17
    Apr 23, 2014
    Cincinnati
    0
    That's goofy about the experience within 50 miles from terminal. I have to drive more than just hit the cruise all day and change lanes. I have to drive downtown everyday with a 53' and make some tight turns. Then drive on some tight roads with no room for error. I've done long runs and it was stupid easy and didn't teach me much but how to follow a GPS.. I'm not saying this towards you, I am saying it towards the companies.

    Mud flap was fixed today. Air leak is bad!
    What paperwork do I need with me since I'm local?
     
    tjcase85, Jun 26, 2014
    tjcase85, Jun 26, 2014
    #6
  9. Jun 26, 2014 #7
    Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

    74,701
    169,855
    Aug 28, 2011
    Henderson, NV & Orient
    0
    If you do this, have a backup plan for your next job because they will fire you. Trucking is not a utopia like they teach in CDL school; you're now in the real world job force. That company probably has 50 applications on file, so you can be replaced within 24 hours. That's your call though.
     
    Chinatown, Jun 26, 2014
    Chinatown, Jun 26, 2014
    #7
  10. Jun 26, 2014 #8
    tjcase85

    tjcase85 Bobtail Member

    38
    17
    Apr 23, 2014
    Cincinnati
    0
    Not so much with this company. Only 3 drivers and it took them 3 months to find me.. Literally I was the only one who applied. I mean they wouldn't fire me but I am supposed to go pick up my truck on Monday (_driving yard dog) so maybe I will luck out and not get a ticket tomorrow lol
     
    tjcase85, Jun 26, 2014
    tjcase85, Jun 26, 2014
    #8
  11. Jun 26, 2014 #9
    Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

    74,701
    169,855
    Aug 28, 2011
    Henderson, NV & Orient
    0
    Wow, a 3 company truck. I've done the yard dog work, but on weekends for extra cash. It was at a grocery warehouse, so very hectic work there. I agree, it doesn't make sense to me either about local work not counting as experience. A few drivers on here with many years experience driving local were surprised when they couldn't get OTR jobs because their local driving doesn't count as experience. This isn't true in 100% of the cases, but it is in most. If you ever get burned out and need to hit the road cross country, you may be required to complete a refresher course, so don't be surprised.
     
    Chinatown, Jun 26, 2014
    Chinatown, Jun 26, 2014
    #9
  12. Jun 26, 2014 #10
    tjcase85

    tjcase85 Bobtail Member

    38
    17
    Apr 23, 2014
    Cincinnati
    0
    I would never go otr. Tooooo many trucking companies around Here. Literally about 500 within 10 miles from my house. I know a few truckers too who need drivers but can take me right now due to an excessive from 2.5 years ago. Surprisingly I can find so many local jobs around here. Off the top of my head
    Coke
    Pepsi
    DLI (already worked there)
    FedEx
    UPS
    UsFoods

    Just a few around me... I hope fedex counts it to do linehaul... If not I'll go to r&l. My buddy loves it there but its further away.


    Oh yeah, what paperwork do I need with me?
     
    tjcase85, Jun 26, 2014
    tjcase85, Jun 26, 2014
    #10
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