Where To Go From Here?...

HiLoSapien · Apr 19, 2017

Chinatown said: ↑

Wear a face mask for filtering dirty air then use a leaf blower to sweep the trailer. Some drivers use the battery powered leaf blower and some the noisy gas powered one.
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Filter, yes. Blower, not for me. A Kimberly Clark required me to use their blower. It kicked up so much dust, the van was a cloud.

Frank Speak · Apr 19, 2017

- Danny Herman runs the lanes you're interested in.

- Better get used to automatics. Everyone is going to them. In fact, I've heard (unsubstantiated) you can't even buy a manual shift unless you special order it starting with 2017.

EatYourVeggies · Apr 19, 2017

Frank Speak said: ↑

- Danny Herman runs the lanes you're interested in.

- Better get used to automatics. Everyone is going to them. In fact, I've heard (unsubstantiated) you can't even buy a manual shift unless you special order it starting with 2017.
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Yep.

I've spoken to several Danny Herman drivers on the road. And they said the manuals are being phased out. This is the overwhelming trend throughout the industry.

Like I said earlier, most company drivers are going to have to live with the fact they'll drive autoshifts sooner or later.

OP, the writing is on the wall on this subject. It's a safe bet even companies like Old Dominion will eventually go auto.

You really should look into line haul for an outfit that doesn't have driver-facing cameras. It fits most of what you're looking for.

againstthewind · Apr 19, 2017

does the 2nd hand smoke bother you if you use a truck that had a smoker in it or just when somone is smoking?

EatYourVeggies · Apr 19, 2017

againstthewind said: ↑

does the 2nd hand smoke bother you if you use a truck that had a smoker in it or just when somone is smoking?
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Call_Me_The_Breeze said: ↑

My situation is especially ticklish because I have an extreme allergy to secondhand cigarette smoke, which as anyone knows, is nearly impossible to avoid at truck stops, shippers and receivers. And it's not just the smoke, it's the fumes that linger long after the smoke has disappeared. I had to leave my last job so that I could come home to recover from severe bronchitis, which took several weeks (I require antibiotics that are difficult to get if I'm away from my home state).
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Looks like OP is highly allergic to any form of second-hand cigarette smoke.

Call_Me_The_Breeze · Apr 19, 2017

BIF MALIBU said: ↑

so,the cigarette makes you sick from 150 feet away you must be exaggerating or have a severe problem in your head you cant function in society
many snowflakes want to be dictators and control peoples lives even at great distances
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I most certainly am not exaggerating. This started almost fifteen years ago when I was driving a taxicab. I didn't believe my doctor when he told me, and got sick again letting people smoke in the cab. You have a choice to smoke, but I don't have a choice to breathe. So... are you a doctor? Then who are you to say I am or am not 'exaggerating'? Oh, and you're on the ignore list as well. I've said it before, if you have nothing useful to contribute, don't bother.

Call_Me_The_Breeze · Apr 19, 2017

EatYourVeggies said: ↑

Looks like OP is highly allergic to any form of second-hand cigarette smoke.
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Yessir, you hit the nail right on the head. I had to swap trucks before I even started my last job because the previous driver was a heavy smoker.

EatYourVeggies said: ↑

Yep. I've spoken to several Danny Herman drivers on the road. And they said the manuals are being phased out. This is the overwhelming trend throughout the industry. Like I said earlier, most company drivers are going to have to live with the fact they'll drive autoshifts sooner or later.

OP, the writing is on the wall on this subject. It's a safe bet even companies like Old Dominion will eventually go auto. You really should look into line haul for an outfit that doesn't have driver-facing cameras. It fits most of what you're looking for.
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I guess auto-shift isn't so much my problem as the fact that the only auto-shift I've driven had the manual mode locked-out with axle gearing that rendered the engine brake useless at the governed speed (1100 rpm at 68 mph). So how exactly was I supposed to get the revs up to use it with the manual mode locked out? I would think setting one up this way wouldn't be legal, but that's another can of worms for another day.

tscottme · Apr 19, 2017

Call_Me_The_Breeze said: ↑

I couldn't find a section that was more fitting to this thread, so apologies in advance if it's not where it belongs...

At three years into my career, I have had an interesting ride, as some have seen through a post or two about one company or another I have worked for. Some say a lot of having a successful career in this industry is finding the right company that is the best fit for you. Alas, when I think I have found that, the game changes and I find myself looking elsewhere. For instance, when a good company I found was bought out, the managing company brought their people in and proceeded to screw things up six ways from Sunday, and I was actually fired for seeking medical attention while my truck was supposed to be in the shop.

I can honestly say it does take some time for any new driver to figure out what they want, and what they don't want. What do I want? What anyone else wants... Good job, good pay, good miles, and good home time, which is all difficult to balance, as you cannot make money going home for four days every other week. Benefits are always a plus. I am willing to compromise a bit for the right job.

My favorite parts of the country are the Southwest (with the noted exception of California) and I have a good amount of experience running the MidWest (IA, WI, MN, MO, IL, IN). There are parts of the Northwest I don't mind running, MT, UT, WA, for instance. However, at 41, I'm no spring chicken and I'm getting a little tired of playing in the snow, so I would prefer southern routes. Nor am I inclined to hoof freight. Twenty years ago, I wouldn't have minded.

After three years, I also now can say with conviction what I don't want... After six months running reefer, never again. Too many excuses about too much unpaid detention. I can also say there is less than a 1% chance I would run team again (woke up to catch a co-driver drinking in the driver's seat with the key in the switch)

I'm not interested in auto-shift transmissions, driver-facing cameras, OnGuard, or any of this other nanny BS so many companies seem to be going to, all of which limits my options if I intend to continue my career. I don't mind e-logs, however, as that is how I was trained and have learned to work within their limitations.

Now here's the kicker. My situation is especially ticklish because I have an extreme allergy to secondhand cigarette smoke, which as anyone knows, is nearly impossible to avoid at truck stops, shippers and receivers. And it's not just the smoke, it's the fumes that linger long after the smoke has disappeared. I had to leave my last job so that I could come home to recover from severe bronchitis, which took several weeks (I require antibiotics that are difficult to get if I'm away from my home state).

So what to do? I hate to piss away all the hard work I did to get my CDL and have kept my commercial record clean, although the South Dakota Highway Patrol decided to give me a nice parting gift in a well-known (well, not to me) speed trap around Sioux City, SD (not in a commercial vehicle). I currently have no endorsements, though I am TSA-cleared to get HazMat and I currently hold a P-endorsement instruction permit, though I have not yet sought training for it.

So, basically, I'm looking for...

1) Dry-van, no-touch freight (preferably drop-and-hook)
2) No "big-brother" technology
3) Manual transmission
4) Prefer southern routes, not interested in Northeast, especially NYC.
5) Prefer trucks other than ProStar/Volvo

Does anyone know of a solo-run dry-van company with 100% drop-and-hook, that actually trusts you to do your job, doesn't have cameras and radar boxes second-guessing your every move, doesn't force an auto-shift Volvo with an electronic backseat driver down your throat, and doesn't mind one blemish on an otherwise clean record? I know this is a lot to ask for, but I try to do my job safely and legally.

Perhaps I would be better off in a lease-purchase program where I can book my own loads? I hate to think that I made a bad choice in getting my CDL. Any helpful advice would be welcome here. I'm just not sure where to go from here.

View attachment 177433
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The closest company that may fit most of your details is Danny Herman Trucking. I think they have some autos, the industry is going auto and that's that. If you get serious medical reactions to the hint of smoking get out of trucking. Smoking is stupid & dangerous & expensive and Low-class like a f***t in church, but nothing you or I can do about it. Don't confuse a preference for a life or death situation. Good luck.

Call_Me_The_Breeze · Apr 19, 2017

tscottme said: ↑

If you get serious medical reactions to the hint of smoking get out of trucking. Smoking is stupid & dangerous & expensive and Low-class like a f***t in church, but nothing you or I can do about it. Don't confuse a preference for a life or death situation. Good luck.
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Yeah, that's kind of what I'm afraid of... But I guess it is what it is. Was just hoping some folks on here might have an idea or two I might look at.

Oh, and BTW... "Tilted antennas are this industry's version of saggy pants."... LOL. I get where you're coming from, but unfortunately, some models (such as the Cascadia) you can't get a good SWR any other way.

EatYourVeggies · Apr 20, 2017

Call_Me_The_Breeze said: ↑

I guess auto-shift isn't so much my problem as the fact that the only auto-shift I've driven had the manual mode locked-out with axle gearing that rendered the engine brake useless at the governed speed (1100 rpm at 68 mph). So how exactly was I supposed to get the revs up to use it with the manual mode locked out? I would think setting one up this way wouldn't be legal, but that's another can of worms for another day.
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You are correct. With so many outfits going autoshift, a disturbing trend is they are removing the manual option.

A buddy of mine drives a shaker with the auto and the manual option. He states the manual mode helps him pass on hills and also gives him more control in icy/snowy conditions. I believe him.

With any luck, you might find an outfit that keeps the manual mode intact.

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