Q&A

Do you guys driving local routes or relaying LTL ever get bored? It seems like you're driving the same roads and highways and hitting the same docks day after day?

Comments

Orlando

06.12.2024

Some of us like the predictability

4

Tamsin

02.03.2024

Boredom? Sometimes, but that’s when I start appreciating the little changes.

2

Addie

10.10.2023

You bet it can get a tad monotonous, but hey, it’s all about the mindset.

1

Rory

12.22.2022

Try to find something local that doesn't go to the same job sites all the time. I do a normal route on the last 3 days of the work week, but Monday/Tuesdays are always changing. Makes my life as a driver tolerable at-least.

3

Joe

12.22.2022

You guys haven't been driving long enough to be bored. Man up, if your already bored you'll never make it long enough to call it a career

1

Barney

12.18.2022

ine local is same thing every day. Same people same time same game. But every now and then I would ask them to put me running over donner for a few days when the weather is bad to get some snow fun in.

3

Mulder

12.17.2022

I know all too well about boredom.When I drove for KB,same route day after day.Job was way too routine.It was all drop and hook.Pick up mt from Tyson take it to another Tyson 90 miles and pick up loaded trl take it back to the other Tyson.It wouldn't have been so bad if the trk weren't governed at 57.Took 4.50 per round.

2

Max

12.17.2022

hate it. But it fills up my bank account and I have my weekends.

1

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When was the last time you saw a Cabover hauling something? How many times a month do you see a Cabover?

Comments

Johnathan

02.10.2024

Still on the job 💪💪

1

Magnus

08.08.2023

I see a Cabover maybe once in a blue moon

1

Denzel

05.11.2023

Agree, they’re pretty rare. Saw one last month, hauling.

4

Iqra

12.22.2022

I'm in NY and there's a guy that delivers construction shanties/intermodal boxes off a drop deck sort of trailer that runs an old repowered Mack cabover every day. Great for getting in tight lots and construction sites!

2

Eddie

12.21.2022

Every single day. I'm always distracted

2

Lepe

12.21.2022

Almost every day here, they use several old ones to shuttle waste from the dump/collection site to the landfill. But they sure ain't pretty ones like that one.

1

Krueger

12.19.2022

I see them twice a day, at least. Mind you i drive the busiest highway in North America.

2

Pascal

12.19.2022

The baddest Cabover that ever was....1974 Ford WT9000 cabover with the 350 NTC Cummins turbo diesel engine.

4

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On a interview question sheet. Also, what should I list as my expectation for weekly pay. I'm applying as a new and inexperienced recent CDL school graduate position.

Comments

Haroon

05.11.2024

It’s important to convey your willingness to work and be part of the team, while also being clear about your need for fair compensation.

6

Fergus

03.02.2024

Just point me to the open road and watch me go – vroom vroom!

1

Tamsin

02.03.2023

I’m ready to roll 'til the wheels fall off! 🤣🤣

1

Strickland

12.21.2022

2200 miles 52 hours $1900 per week

4

Mike

12.20.2022

Well anything over 40 hours is triple time so you have to factor that in

2

Hello

12.19.2022

Answer the question like you’re a go-getter. You’ll end up doing what the give you anyway whether it is more or less than you want. So choose numbers on the high side, but still reasonable. Calculate them based on the position you’re applying for. If you want help with those numbers tell us what you are applying for.

3

Pascal

12.19.2022

One of the companys i worked at back when i first started i just wrote yes as my answer. It actully got me in the door lol.

4

Eddie

12.19.2022

Any company that asks this question will be tossing the app in the trash if it doesn't say 70 hours a week,

3

GGG

12.18.2022

Are they paying by the mile or by the hour ?

0

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Is 65 mph acceptable enough?

Comments

Haroon

05.06.2024

It’s the sweet spot for avoiding a chat with Smokey.

6

Seamus

11.31.2023

65 is golden

2

Barney

04.19.2023

65 mph keeps you rolling smooth without ruffling any feathers

1

Thomas D.

12.16.2022

Best not to go over 60. I got a ticket near Fresno in 2019 for going 65 and it cost me 528$.

2

Mike

12.14.2022

I run 62 everywhere I go in cali. I get walked on all day long by trucks running in the 70’2 10 west bound from Blythe to Indio. The 5 north of the grapevine everyone runs 62-65.

3

GGG

12.13.2022

Don't go over 60 mph. The posted speed limit for trucks is 55 mph. Cruising at 65 would be 10 miles per hour over the speed limit and you would be a juicy target for CHP. You can get away with 62 mph north of Woodland until you are north of Corning. I recommend 60 mph everywhere else.

4

Hello

12.13.2022

The CHP gives grace at 60mph. Now the drivers are pushing faster. CHP is gonna start clamping down if they don’t cut it out. I remember back when all limits were 55 for everybody. Cops would give tickets for 56 or 57. It was bad. 55 is complete drudgery. 60 really isn’t too bad. They ain’t gonna nail you for drifting a little faster downhill. Especially when they see you slowing it back dow while going down hill.

4

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Sorry for such a foolish question, but I'm learning

Comments

Aidan

04.03.2024

Just make sure you’re clear on your state’s regs

2

Magnus

06.23.2023

Class B means you’re good to go for that solo cab ride, no trailer needed

2

Denzel

03.19.2023

Sure thing, you can bobtail with a Class B. It’s all about the weight and what you’re licensed to haul

1

Benito

12.16.2022

Class b is usually single truck. Such as a dump truck. You have to have a class A to pull a dump truck and trailer even though it isn’t a tractor and 53’ trailer. So if your bobtailing I’m gonna say yes, it’s basically a truck with out anything on it.

2

Eddie

12.16.2022

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

0

Pascal

12.15.2022

If you get pulled over, tell the officer you thought B stood for bobtail.

4

Marni

12.13.2022

I would say yes too. class A is just for the tractor-trailer combination. there is no combination if you only have the tractor. Also, dumb truck drivers have class B, and their tractors are the same as ours

2

Krueger

12.13.2022

Yes, you can legally drive a bobtail with a class B.

2

Keanu

12.12.2022

What does your class b license say ?

1

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Quick question for the group, I usually haul between the Midwest and east coast every week, however certain trips that I take are 3 day 2000 miles and I just don't see how that is possible without going over the ELD hours. Do you guys have any trick or tips on how I can run this route without Going over my hours? Below is an example Montgomery, Il to Waltham, Ma

Comments

Addie

01.22.2024

You're talking about a real marathon you're aiming' for.

1

Fred

04.20.2023

You gotta plan your breaks strategically, take them when you can, and don't forget to make the most of your rest stops.

1

Josef

03.14.2023

Ain't no easy ride when it comes to hauling across three states in just three days.

1

Marni

12.15.2022

I'd say its possible. I could run 620 a day in a truck governed to 63, and that's 1860...if you're covered to 68-70 you could do it easy.

1

Mulder

12.14.2022

I drive at night, i put cruise control on 67-68 and in 11 hours I get between 680-700 miles a day with no rush. So it is possible if you wont get into major traffic delay and start preparing before your 10hours rest is done.

2

Benito

12.14.2022

It is possible at times but not something that should be expected.

3

Krueger

12.12.2022

It’s highly possible. Depends the route and what your truck is governed at

2

Levi

12.12.2022

I usually drive at night, and i drive fast!!!! but, my major 3 obstacles I see are traffic/ construction, delays at the receivers and driving in the mountains. I encounter these on every trip,

1

Barney

12.11.2022

Hey i did 3000 mils in last 4 days its possible

2

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Interested in your thoughts! What would have to change for them to be viable? Whats the biggest limitations for the technology / why doesnt it translate to trucking very well?

Comments

Orlando

05.03.2024

good intentions but not going the distance

1

Denzel

07.02.2023

Sure, and maybe they’ll throw in a free espresso machine while we wait eight hours for the thing to charge

1

Mari

03.17.2023

I’d love to drive an electric truck, but I’m afraid I’d run out of juice faster than my e-cig!

1

Nancy Furex

12.14.2022

Charging stations Time it takes to charge range

2

Marni

12.14.2022

Agree with you but eh massive truck fires already exist

0

Strickland

12.13.2022

Will they go six hundred miles a day ? Are there enough charging stations ? What happens when you are stuck in a snow storm for five hours? Truck accidents will cause massive fires. When these concerns are addressed it will be great.

2

Rory

12.13.2022

As a very happy owner of 2 EV cars. That tech has no business in trucks. Unless it is just local hops and then they wouldn't be able to sell enough to make a profit.

3

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Google keeps saying it means “thank you” but I’ve only seen this twice so I was wondering if it means “turn your lights on” or something else

Comments

Elias

05.08.2024

If you’ve just let a semi merge or pass, they might be flashing their lights as a way to say thanks

1

Haroon

09.05.2023

secret handshake I would say. 🤣

6

Orlando

03.03.2023

That’s trucker Morse code

1

Strickland

12.10.2022

If you're driving the opposite direction, your headlights are off or one is off. if you're driving the same direction and you just passed them, they are telling you it's safe to pull in front of them. (usually only done if you have a trailer) If they are behind you, they are informing you that you're driving lime an asshole, but it's usually the highbeams.

4

Jordan

12.09.2022

If you're passing him and he flashes you, he's giving you the 'all clear' to get in front of him. The courtesy thank you for that would be you flipping your hazards on for a second or two. That's all.

3

Marni

12.09.2022

You wouldnt happen to have been driving the 93 in arizona earlier were you

1

Xander

12.08.2022

Gonna need more context.

0

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I am sure this topic has been discussed before and perhaps beaten to death but which pay is better in your opinion? Percentage pay of load or cents per mile? I see the pros of both but also the cons of both? And if you don’t mind sharing give me some examples of your experience.

Comments

Ayden

05.16.2024

With mileage pay, you know what you’re getting every mile, regardless of the cargo value.

2

Declan

03.01.2024

Mileage pay keeps the wallet padded steady, but percentage pay can sometimes give you jackpot

1

Duke

02.14.2023

Mileage pay offers consistent earnings, which is great for budgeting and stability.

1

Benito

12.08.2022

I’ve done both, but I prefer the CPM route. If freight rates drop (and they always do), so does your pay if you are on the percentage plan. Also, being cynical, I never trust that I know for a fact how much the freight paid, thus how do I know I’m actually being paid honestly? Unless you are actually talking to the shipper , you cannot know 100% what the factual dollar amount was. CPM is more within my control, which goes back to the factual advice given on here for years: this is a performance-based profession. Run hard to get more miles which will equal more money. The only thing I wish sometimes is that we got paid by the pound.

4

Leroy

12.09.2022

Percentage pay is designed to protect the company from the volatile swings in the freight markets. When the market is good like it has been last year, the drivers can reap some of the benefits.

2

Milo

12.07.2022

Old School, I guess that’s why so many companies seem to push leasing. They only pay a percentage, plus no upkeep on the equipment. Big savings.

2

Hello

12.07.2022

I just did some math on my last seven settlements. I work for percentage. percentage pay but it has always worked out for me. I may be the exception but I’ve always done well on percentage.

0

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Drivers subjected to onboard facing cameras…what has your experience been? I am being offered a job with what seems to be a good company, not a mega, for an OTR position, as a driver with not a lot of experience. I swore I wouldn’t take a job that has onboard facing cameras inward on the cab, especially for OTR but I am second guessing myself for the possibility of a decent job with a company that doesn’t have a lot of bad reviews.

Comments

Josef

01.31.2024

At first, I felt like I was on one of them reality TV shows, but then I realized, if you aren't doing nothing wrong, you shouldn't worry about.

1

Clayton

06.29.2023

Just drive like you got your grandma in the passenger seat and you’ll be good.

1

Tamsin

06.21.2023

Well, I’ll tell ya, having’ a camera staring back at you is like having’ an extra set of eyes on the road—except these don’t blink. It’s a bit odd at first, but you get used to it.

9

Keanu

12.07.2022

As others have said, they are not bad as long as they aren’t used for micromanaging. So, you’d really have to learn how this company uses them by talking to other drivers there.

2

Marni

12.07.2022

I’ve had them with many companies over many years, and it all comes down to how hard a place micromanages with them. Texting/phone use, on-road seatbelt use, and falling asleep are obvious things that I see legitimately getting chewed out for

0

Krueger

12.06.2022

I've had them for around four years now. I'm sure it varies from company to company but at my place it's not a big deal. Keep your phone out of your hand you're good.

2

Seamus

12.06.2022

I’ve had one for about 2 years. I was apprehensive at first. But it doesn’t bother me at all now. I’ve had probably 30 harsh brakes in that time because of idiots and traffic lights.

1

Benito

12.04.2022

Doesn’t bother me. It’s their equipment they can put in it what they want

0

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