Running with JCT, Part Deux

It's getting down to the wire for me. Heading to orientation on Monday. I'm doing these orientation modules and I've got a question on reefer fuel. Is it best to not fuel your truck and the reefer at the same time due to the one use a day fuel card limitation and the fact that you have to send special macros before and after you fuel the reefer unit?

It's getting on to winter and I'm wondering about the chain situation on I70 and some other places that have chain laws. Do I have to buy chains from a TS or does JCT provide the option at the terminal?

Is it worth it to buy the in can trip pak scanner while I'm at orientation? How about the $300 dollar business training cds and manuals? Is the accounting service that JCT provides worth the pay deduction or is it better to hire out to a local home town accounting firm?

I've been reading over a lot of the information on these threads and haven't run across these answers yet. As usual, thanks in advance for any and all answers.

 

I think that the only fuel card limitation is distance, i.e. you can't fuel twice in one day at the same place. For example, the other day, I fueled in the morning in Van Horn with just enough fuel to get me to Casa Grande where the price was better, then filled up the same afternoon.

Your truck will come with chains. I recommend that you don't use them, lol. My motto is: "Chain only to get out of trouble, not to go into it!" BTW, we don't run west of Denver on I-70 in the winter.

I wouldn't. Trip Pak envelopes are provided and they're free to use. Scanning costs money. If your cash flow is tight you can always scan at a t/s to get a trip in, but I wouldn't make a habit of it $$$. BTW, Trip Pak has NEVER lost an envelope of mine (knock wood!) and I've sent hundreds!

Good luck at orientation and beyond!

 

Thanks for the info. I'm getting the new job jitters, but we'll see how it goes.

 

You're welcome. If you live in the Phoenix area, you're in good shape with JCT. Lots of loads in and out of there.

 

This is bad advice. In-cab scanning is half the price of truck stop scanning. I would invest in a cell phone with a quality camera (13+ Megapixels) & use the mobile app. The TripPak/Transflo scanner that you plug into your laptop is a real hassle to use compared to just snapping & sending.

 

In three years I've NEVER scanned a trip in. In-cab scanning still costs, what, $6? My advice is to get your finances in order so that you don't have to pay to get your money a week earlier!

 

Well said PokerRunn. No two weeks will ever be the same and if you have your finances in order you will do fine.

 

Bad deflection is bad. What you said doesn't change the fact it's stupid to pay $12 to go to the truck stop (which may or may not even be nearby) to scan a trip in when you can do it yourself for half the price.

If I'm dropping in Colton, I'll scan my trip and wait to drop my envelope until I'm out of Cali because TA in Ontario has a nasty habit of taking weeks to get around to scan in trips.

Perhaps you should get your finances in order if you can't afford $6 to scan a trip and get paid on time.

 

There is a trip pak box at the Colton yard.

 

Good to know. I've been there like, twice in the past 6 months.