question for experience truckers

use the search function.the answers are there

 

WOW that's alot of ??? best thing right now for you would be to just look around this site and read! All those questions and more have already been discussed then if you still have ?? then ask.
Lots of info here spend a little time looking around and you'll be hooked! Good luck

 

Oneshyne, a lot of the drivers get 'testy' answering the same questions, but I will attempt to help.
1. Try 24/7 for about 3-6 months at a time. It sucks, plain and simple, but to make money with most companies, that's what you have to do.

2. The main thing I see is a lot of impatient people, constantly cutting you off in traffic, racing down the ramps and expecting you to move over for them, (whether it's clear or not) and a general disrespect for drivers.

3. Cross-dressers

4. Our company hauls some HazMat and I have my endorsement. I have only hauled one or two loads, but as long as you go by all the Safety Procedures, it's no different than any other load. I rode with my husband for 2 years before getting my CDL and he hauled 6-8 HazMat loads with no problems.

5. Yes, people will try to break into your trailer and steal your load, and with the economy like it is, it will continue to get worse. We always use what is referred to as a 'meat lock'. It is a very heavy lock that hooks into the bars on both doors and then locks. It essentially takes a torch to remove it.

6. It depends on the truck stop. You will quickly learn which truck stops are frequented by lot lizards and pushers. Plus, just listen to the 'chatter' on the CB as you are approaching the truck stops and when you first park.

7. The prostitutes (lot lizards) frequent the truck stops that tolerate them. The people asking for rides are typically those who are homeless/down and out.

8. Depends on your company, but if you are working for a reputable company (like FFE), they will send you to get the necessary repairs done if it doesn't work.

9. Friends, not so much, but there are a lot of pleasant people to have a conversation with. The 'idiots' as you put it are at EVERY truck stop, you learn how to spot them and avoid them.

10. From what I have seen, most if not all, jack-knifing is driver error, often due to road conditions.

11. I first thought you meant cross-dressers or homosexual drivers, LOL. Not sure how I feel about being called a 'Queen of the Road'. There are a large number of lady drivers and that number is growing weekly. I have had my CDL for 2 years now, there was one other lady in class with me, and about a dozen in various stages of training while I was doing my training. You will see a lot of lady drivers once you are actually out on the road.

12. Not sure why the companies are 'sour' other than their investment in the driver regarding his/her training, etc.

13. You typically wash your clothes at a truck stop when you are doing either your 10 hr break or your 34 hr reset. It helps to have enough clothes with you for 10-14 days if possible.

14. Shower at truck stops. Most truck stops have 'Frequent Fueler' type cards so that when you purchase 50+ gallons of fuel, a free shower is loaded on to your card. The free shower will remain available 4-10 days depending upon which truck stop issues it. If you don't have any showers available at a particular truck stop, the charge is $10-$12 dollars. BTW, be sure and sign up for the 'Fueler' cards at every major chain. They also load 'points' on your card when you fuel which can be used to purchase food and other items, plus the Love's gives you a free drink refill with every fuel purchase.

15. Larger companies like FFE have a 'break-down' division that helps arrange for a mobile service unit or a tow truck.

16. Well.... your driver manager plays a larger role, but the dispatchers carry quite a bit of weight, especially if you 'tick them off' by being a 'prima dona' regarding your loads. It's always best to try to keep everyone happy.

17. Truck friendly GPS are invaluable since most maps don't detail the cities that you will be going to. We have had one for at least 3 years now. I do know that our company will send you directions to the shipper/receiver, but then you have to have a way of remembering each step, many drivers use dry-erase markers to write the directions in the corner of the windshield.

18. Getting paid to travel and see the country. I have seen so many places that I never knew existed, and there is no way I would have ever been able to afford to travel to all the states.

19. Pets/riders depend on company policy. Our company no longer allows pets due to the damage to the vehicles (they previously charged a pet deposit, but it wasn't suffiecient to pay for repairs in some instances). I think most will allow riders after you have been employed for a set period of time. There may be age restrictions on the riders though.

20. I don't think our company offers stock benefits, so I don't know.

21. Hard to say, I remember the ones I never want to see again, LOL. Like LA, Chicage, NYC, Indianapolis, traffic is a nightmare.

22. You have to pass your company's physical, so that would vary from company to company. Our company has stricter standards regarding blood sugar and blood pressure that the DOT requirements.

23. Not an O/O so I can't answer, however, we are Lease Operators, and our paychecks are significantly better than company drivers. You just have to know how to manage your fuel and other costs.

Hope this helps and I hope the other 'rude' answers didn't offend you.

Best of Luck.

 

1. you get used to it, living in the cab 24/7.
2. you get to see America...mountains, trees, lakes, wildlife (human and animal) lol
3. whats weird for one person may be normal to another. you see alot of everything
4. hazmat is as safe as you make it. you secure your load properly then you should have no problems. accidents happen whether you have hazmat on or not. Be prepared for anything. Have your company's response guidelines handy for emergencies.
5. Your company should supply locks for your trailer doors. If not you can buy one. I never had any problems of that kind but always be prepared. Park in well lit areas when you can.
6. It happens but just because they knock, dont mean you have to answer. Just shoo them off and they will go away.
7. just say no
8. Heaters and a/c generally work and if not the company will get it fixed. If your company will not fix it then your with the wrong company. Now if your a/c breaks down and your in route with a hot load then you may have to wait till your empty so you can have the time to get repairs done but mostly companies get their equipment fixed asap
9. its not hard making friends with other drivers. As for the "non friendlies", I never had too much problems with that
10. If you jack knife a truck and trailer....you have lost control. Usually it happens when a driver is not paying close attention to whats going on around him/her. It all goes back to being prepared for anything. Always looking whats going on in front of you...behind you..beside you.
11. Lady drivers are everywhere.
thats all the time i have for now boys and girls

 

1. 24/7 in the truck sucks, and yes its 24/7 until I go home. I have some tools to keep me busy though to pass the time like xm radio, snacks, lap top and movies. For internet I use my phone.
2. Since you live in Jersey then theres alot of farms, you see where the food comes from seeing alot of farmland, other cities are fun to see to and landmarks they may have. And sports stadiums and a race track or two. And if you wonder where a sports team is at theirs likely a chance you'll pay by it.
3.Unusual things for me would be accidents or how people drive in a bad way. Truck stops would be other peoples trucks nice or junky and how they parked.
4. I dont have haz mat
5. People usually dont mess with your cargo, I keep a heavy duty lock on my trailer and its sealed as well.
6. In 8 months I've had one lizard at 1 am knock on my door, I shock my head no and closed my curtains, 2nd was at a rest area, a lady that looked like a man said she broke down needed any money I could spare so I tossed her a couple bucks and she went on her way. What she used it for really i dont care just leave me alone and hope maybe I get some good karma by being a little help. Those are the only two times though in 8 months
7. Never have seen or done that
8. Both winter and summer my heater and ac has worked. My truck has a apu for that.
9. I talk every now and again to other drivers when eating but most of the time I keep to myself. Theres always people think that theyre the best at my company terminal and truck stops that seem to know it all attitude. I just ignore them or laugh bc theyre full of s#$t
10. Never have jack knifed a trailer and hope not to ever.
11. Ive seen good and bad looking female drivers out there.
12. They just left on bad terms or abandoned a truck or load
13. I go out for two weeks so I take the clothes I need accordinally so i dont do laundry. Its a pain in the ###, If i needed to I would at the company terminal for free
14. Truck stop and If my company fuels there then I get a free shower after 50-60 gallons
15. If the truck breaks depends on how bad it is. If its really bad I turn on ac or heat and wait til the tow truck gets their or limp it to a local repair facility if need be
16. Yes they give me the loads or miles. If I did a piss poor job sleeping in and delivering late then they wont trust or feel dependable with me to get things done.
17. I have a gps and following my companies routing to a certain extent. I think its dangerous to have a heavy load and hit backroads in small towns with conjestion, tight corners, and more stuff to hit than rather on the interstate. For the most part use it to see how far I have to a certain exit or street, trucks stops and rest areas etc. But i dont trust nor follow it you have to use commen sense. And i still use my atlas and phone gps satellite.
18. Make money for my family and see the USA
19. My company has a no pet policy
20. I have no clue, I can get profit sharing at a year or service and 401k Im sure but havent looked into it yet maybe after I get my year and stay with the company
21. None really, Kentucky is beautiful and parts of Tennesee, up north is nice too like PA and WV but no offense I hate New England, just a pain to deal with traffic and tight towns
22. doesnt apply to me
23. no this one either

Just my experience so far at 8 months everyone is different

 

1. It became stressful for me. When im in the truck i want out and once im out i want to get back in .


2. You'll se bambi and all his friends look out for them or you'll have a new paintjob


3. The weirderst thing ive seen is a truck rolled over in the bushes of a straight on ramp. The way people drive will amaze you.


4. Yea feels normal I dont think to much about whats in the box.


5. I was a regional driver i ran up and down 81 i never had this issue or heard of anyway having it.


6. Twice and both times i was parked a bas spot and expected someone to come knocking


7. Never seen any Recreational Reptiles


8. Some companies have no idling rules some have apu's i worked for JB hunt i ran the truck in the summer and used the bunk heater in the winter the heater got the truck up to 100 degrees i would crack a vent some nights.


9.There is always an ###### and plenty of friendly drivers to speak to.


10.Take your time pay attention and you shouldnt need to worry about jackknifing


11.I see them now and then


12.I dont know why these companies are sour


13. I was out 5 in 2 i always washed at home


14. Truck stop cards everytime you fuel you should earn a shower like the others said


15. Call fleet and they will handle it ORRRRR tell you something crazy like go ahead and pull that 42000lb trailer of paper to or shop in winchester its only 3 miles away and you have what 2 blown tires on the same axle??youll be alright.


16. Dispatcher can make or break you


17. Company routing will land you on a road with a 12ft bridge use your own resources to confirm what they say is accurate


18. I have a better understanding of how otr works and what these guys give up to keep america moving. I benefitted from it because i could axe it off my bucket list


19. pets and family depend on the company


20. tHEY just take what you decide out of your check pre tax i think


21. I only visited Rural VA, Ny, Pa i cant say any of them honestly


23. Im gonna post another post about OO for you to browse


http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...-operator-act-american-central-transport.html