Sort of newbie questions

Ok, the questions are buzzing through my head so here goes.
1. What exactly is a FM/DM? I had a CDL B and drove for a private company about 15 yrs. ago and they had no such thing. I got paperwork and headed out.
2. What can I expect when I go out with a trainer?
3. What is average home time? Once a month?
4. I have seen posts about lumpers. If I unload myself, I get extra $$?
5. How much cash should I have in my wallet when I am out? I have a debit card and can get cash but how easy is it?
6. Does team driving pay more?
I'm sure I will have more questions and I appreciate any and all replies.

 

FM / DM - Fleet/Driver Manager . I don't have one either . We have experienced drivers that manage themselves .
You'd really need to ask drivers for specific carriers for answers to most of the other questions as they vary per carrier . Get on dedicated or regional runs and you'll be home every weekend , maybe a night or 2 during the week .
Some receivers don't allow drivers to unload , especially union warehouses . Try to get a flatbed , hopper , or tanker and not worry about lumpers .
Driver reward cards will get you free showers and maybe one meal a week .
How much cash you carry depends on you and what kind of meals you want to eat . Stock up on supplies at home . Truck stops will charge you $2 for a gallon of water .
The way things are now teams aren't getting twice as many miles as solos so you wouldn't be making more . There are some exceptions .

 

1. Fleet Manager/Dispatch Manager.. Basically a dispatcher./ Basically a dispatchers supervisor.

2. That really depends on the company, the trainer, and yourself.

3. Again, that depends on the company, and yourself. As a rull i always did 21 days out 3 days home.

4. Typically if you are running a refer or box the company will pay you $1.00 a ft. for unloading. They will usually pay a lumper whatever they ask for. This is usually dependant on what you are hauling. Toilet paper load = $150.00.... Meat load = $500.00

5. Carry as little cash as possible. Less than $100 is a given. Too many head bashers in Truckstops to carry large amounts of cash anymore.

6. Team driving typically doesn't pay more to the individual. Just pays more to the truck.

 

Thanks Trashcan & Rick. I take it if a lumper unloads my truck the company I work for pays them? How does that work? 21 days out and 3 days home sounds good.

 

Fleet Manager and Driver manger

Every trainer is gonna be different, some are exceptionally good, and some are horrible. An also every company is different on how they train.

Average home time is two weeks out and two days off. Most if not every company gives you one day off per 7 days on the road. Which in my opinion is garbage but some people like it. I personally would like to run 3 weeks and have 5 days off, but it'll never happen.

The company will give you a com-check to pay the lumpers, and some places you have to use the lumpers to unload the truck. Trust me its not worth unloading it yourself, because usually the company will only give you 40 dollars to unload it but they will pay the lumper 300 dollars to do the same thing. Just not worth the hassle unless you really like to work your tail off.

I usually would take 200 for two or three weeks on the road. But I would always only keep 20 or 30 of it in my wallet and leave the rest in the truck. You never know these days, but in 2 and a half years I never had a single problem at any truck stops. Ive been to truckstops in almost every metropolis, like the dallas peelot, the OK City flying J, Indianapolis flying j, and countless others where you see lot lizards running around, and never had a single person bother me or come near me. Its all in the way you hold yourself "walk tall". But do all your shopping at home as far as grocceries, shower items, soda, water, paper plates, because they will charge you 3 to 4 times as much at truckstops.

It all depends on what your getting paid and how. I team drove with Schneider for 3 months and made ok money usually like 700 a week as a rookie. But my last paycheck running solo was 1100. Teaming just isnt worth it, unless you can sleep in a moving truck on these crap interstates, and sleep while getting unloaded or loaded then its really nice having that extra person there sometimes. But it sucks sharing an already tiny sleeper with another adult an all there stuff.

 

most companies give 1 day off for 1 week out.money on the road depends but 100 a week you will do fine. as a team driver i can tell you i make more than most solos with the same experience

 

Just some side notes for newbees,

1.) When the bum approaches you at the fuel island wanting to sell you a cb, camcorder, gold chain... Its either stolen or fake.

2.) Always wear buttondown shirts, no t-shirts when driving.
DOT's view is: If a driver is to lazy to button a shirt up, he is too lazy to do his logbook.

3.) ALWAYS DO A TUG TEST before pulling out of your parking spot. Some idiots love to pull your pin just for fun.

4.) Always check your tires air pressure before leaving a truckstop. Some idiots love to halfway remove your valve stems.

5.) And always my favorite, hang your ole lady's undergarments in your window when you hop in the bunk. This will keep the lot lizards at bay so you can get some rest.

 

yep the bum or homey at the fuel island is more than likely trying to sell you something thats stolen or fake dont buy it. Yes always do a tug test, but never seen someone messing with ya pulling pins or letting air pressure outta tires. Only time this might happen is if one is playing radio rambo and the other person finds out what truck your in. Never had any problems with anyone messing with me or my truck in truckstops or restareas.

 

6.) Always stand the count when being loaded or unloaded. Shippers and receivers love a driver to leave the dock when loads aren't SL&C.

7.) Learn to read a map.
8.) Learn to read a map.
9.) Learn to read a map.

10.) Buy something that has GPS. All company provided directions are wrong. Recievers actually don't know how to get to where they work. Sad but true.

 

I dug out my old Atlas to make sure that I have it. I probably will try to find a new one somewhere. My cell phone has a GPS. I don't know if it's any good though. I know in the past when I drove some companies will not let you on their dock for safety reasons. I actually saw someone get hit with a forklift in Chicago. I was warned about this place ahead of time and told that you could be on the dock but to stay against the wall by your truck. Good thing I listened.