Profile For Harry N.

I know this post is years old, but I think its golden. I just stumbled upon a video where this guy said if you want your trailer to turn left or right, use your bottom of the wheel to make the turns if any direction. But, where I'm confused at is when I first started learning, we've been taught that if you want your trailer to turn right, you turn left and vice versa. I'm going to try this tomorrow so I will see for myself what's true and not!

Dang, if he could get his CDL. It shouldn't be too hard to get it then but most def will NEVER make these types of mistakes nor reverse. I never reverse anyway, always move forward.

About a year ago, I got in an accident with a trailer truck, it was a small one, like a box truck but it was signaling right, and I was in the right lane. When I noticed that his wheels was going close to me I honked, and kept thinking but instead he ran into me and kept going. Luckily, I got his plates. I see it too often that it leads to accidents, even deaths. But, if I'm driving a company vehicle could I buy a blind spot mirror for the semi or truck whatever that I'm driving?

I remember years ago when I was younger, my little brother pushed me off a 6ft pool and ever since then I'm scared to go swimming. I just don't want this to cloud my mind that I'm going to get in an accident but it's much worse to get an a accident with a company vehicle than your own car. Especially the damage and how much would be liable for.

But yeah, I'm planning to go to school on Saturday and I really want to get my CDL as I could have a long term career. But I don't want the past to effect my future... thank you.

Thank you OS! That really help! So, do you guys have quotas to meet like how many loads to do in a day? The more loads or the more miles you do, the more you get paid? I really like the flexibility of it but when you're on the road it seems like its more of the country side, are there groceries near by? I know one of my friend, even tho he's always in the city he have a hard time finding toilets for some reason lol. Do you guys have that problem too?

Hey guys, I'm so used to working at a job where I clock in and clock out. But I'm confused with how this industry work. I know some companies pay by the hour, miles or both. Do they pay salary like the NBA players where it's like a fixed rate as well? Doesn't matter how much you work, you're still gonna get paid, even if you're off too if that makes sense.

How do you clock in and clock out? Are there pensions? Do truck drivers work for the government? Are they exempt from anything? Do you get to choose your own schedule? Like at my jobs before, we work until it gets done even if its 10 hrs. And then my previous job at Amazon, I work 4 hrs, if it's slow they tell us to go home or to stay if want, but once our shifts is up, another shift take over even if we don't finish. I know amazon drivers does the same thing. But how about the truck driving? Is there a team that goes out to help each other or just each person get their own route?

I heard about the 14 hr rule, I think we could be clocked in for 11 hrs max via driving but we could continue to work until 14 minus the driving, not sure how that works. Is that free 3 hours? How does the 14 hour clock rule works? I know I'm asking a lot of stupid questions, forgive me. Cause there's people on the FB group that just laugh and doesnt really give me an answer. I don't want to jump into something I have no idea how it works and just confused.

This is all foreign to me, very new. I don't want to take advantage of when I get out there. Thanks!

Woah that's crazy! Hahah, yeah I hear you. I talked to them before but don't like that it's only OTR, I don't mind doing regional. Wow, thanks I didn't know that about the battery, will do that in the future!

I spoke to a Prime recruiter and she actually told me that if these options aren't feasible, your trainer will come pick you up AT YOUR HOME, like, literally roll up in front of your house, apartment, whatever... in a huge combination vehicle and pick you up like your their prom date. This I find simply hard to believe and was something she was just telling me so I wouldn't be discouraged from choosing Prime.

As for your battery, just unplug it while you're away. problem solved.

Hey guys, I know that you're gonna go OTR for 6 weeks with a trainer. But, wanted to know where do I park my personal vehicle while being deployed? I have it on the street but 2x a month, they have street sweeping and plus when the pandemic happened, I didn't understand why my car was not working but a rep at a store shop told me that I have to drive it like every other day to keep the battery alive. I left it on the street for sometimes a good week or two. Do I have to pay a parking garage to have them keep the car for a month or two? How does it work? Thanks!

Harry, one of the things that helps in our truck driving careers is our availability. Let me explain. It is easy to find truck drivers online, especially new ones, who complain about not getting enough miles. Endorsements and the TWIC card make you more available. I have all the endorsements and a TWIC card. I remember once, I had delivered a load in New Orleans, and was waiting on dispatch to find me something getting me out of there. Three other drivers from the dedicated flatbed fleet I serve were also there. We were all waiting on getting a load dispatched to us so that we could move on to other things. They found a load in the port that was really nice. IDMtnGal mentioned containers, but there are a lot of other things that go in and out of the ports. It turned out that I was the only one among us who had a TWIC card. I think you can guess which one of us kept making money that day - it was me! Here's a picture of what I picked up that day.

My TWIC card made me the only driver in the area as available for that load. It works the same way with endorsements. I had the same experience in Oregon once. I was there with several other drivers waiting on a load. I was the only driver who had a HazMat endorsement. They came up with a load of steel, but it also had a case of paint that went with the steel to the job site. The paint made the load a HazMat load. It was really easy for them to assign me the load. I was the only one available for that particular load. I had done my work beforehand to keep myself available and busy.

We control much of our destiny in this career. Getting those endorsements ahead of time and having them in your pocket as an insurance policy is worth all the effort. There will come a time when they come in real handy.

You can apply for the TWIC before having a CDL. If it is too much money for now, then just plan on getting it as soon as you can. One of the benefits of having it is that when going through airport security, they will give you a pass if you have a TWIC card.

Wow, thank you for all the information! I just got my permit today! Yay! Only thing is trying to find a school in the bay area. I think I'm going to just end up going thru a company sponsored program just to make everything easier. Been getting mixed reviews with local schools, one quoted $2k, the other $3.5K. Regardless, gonna have to work with a company anyway its just an win-win for the driver and company. I don't know if this is true but I heard that if you get fired, it notifies to all trucking company or something like that?

Okay, I talked to the DMV rep about the endorsements and she said its free to add them so that's good for a year. I see how it really gave you a boost by having them OS! I'ma add them eventually. But right now, just focusing on going to school. Idk how my parents will feel about this tho, they still treat me like a kid lol...

Hello guys, so I will be getting my permit very soon! Also, I was watching some trucking videos about endorsements and twic card. Could I apply for the card even if I'm not a truck driver yet or do I have to get my CDL-A first then apply? And I don't see too much benefit of it besides it being another ID card. It doesnt give any other benefit, feels like a waste of money but if its required then I'll get it. Thanks!

I was at the DMV today and the rep asked me if I wanted to get endorsements, from what I heard, it could open my doors which is always a good thing but if I'm not gonna get the job with it, I feel like it's a waste of money. I don't think its gonna make a big difference. But it does remind me of people being in IT, getting a lot of certs. So I guess, if I look at it that way it could be beneficial. If I get the endorsements, do I need any special skills for it or just pass the tests and call it a day? It's crazy, being in the trucking world, there's a lot to learn! But that's with anything in life too.

Oh yeah, I forgot. Does the course cover airbreaks, and combinations too? I have to take 3 seperate tests right, or is it included in the permit? Thanks.