Profile For Glenbob

I cringe at the term mega carrier. It's usually said with disdain.

I like having terminals all over the country I can go to, shower and do laundry, having 24 hour fitness centers in many of them.

I enjoy never even a raised eyebrow when I put in for layover,(another 200 bucks in added pay this week) detention pay, hotel reimbursement, truck wash reimbursement.

I enjoy top of the line equipment and maintenance, immediate response on breakdown, hotels and rental cars provided.

I enjoy knowing everyone on a personal first name basis at my terminal, it's like its own little business. It's like a family. At the same time, I have requests and suggestions going all the way up to corporate.

I really enjoy that I get left to my own devices, a level of mutal respect and professionalism between myself and the office, I make excellent money consistently and get a lot of perks based on my high level of performance. Though I may have my complaints with the "mega" carrier I work for, the benefits far outweigh the issues.

Second, Davy’s comments. As a new driver the disdain others have towards the mega’s is baffling to me. I love it, none of the stress, bills or general headaches of O/O or L/O.

Part time / casual positions are out there. Probably going to have to do full time for a period then change over. I’m currently doing that. My company requires minimum 5 days (straight) a month. When working part time I do 10-14 days OTR to make it financially worthwhile. Some months I work the whole month as they leave up to me as long as I do the minimum. As far as weekends and a day here and there through the week are not feasible IMO. If you could find local delivery company or something hourly, maybe box truck, finale mile it might work. Good luck in your endeavors.

My company has a graduated surcharge based on price per gallon built into contract(s). At one point in prehire indoc I remember being told the company fuel bill was approximately $4 million a day. Needless to say if you are spending that much you no doubt get a substantial discount. Just in the short time I’ve been with them fueling at assigned stops has become more stringent.

Keep the faith, I’ve been following your post. You are a true inspiration! Sorry, to hear about your split up. Been though a couple myself. I wish there were words of comfort. One of the things I use for directions (and my nerves) is post it notes on the top of the windshield. Write big:) Generally, I review my next days travel, p/u and delivery before calling it a day. A lot of our addresses are to the front of the building not shipping or receiving. Had one last week where the company provided directions and my Garmin Dezl GPS both carried you through a truck restricted area of town, through a residential section ultimately to a entry that was unaccessible. Luckily, I’d done my trip planning the night before. Don’t beat yourself up over backing and parking it will come to you. Each situation calls for a little different approach. As you gain experience you’ll automatically adjust your setup for the situation. In the beginning anxiety would almost paralyzed me with the thought of parking at a truck stop. I spent most nights in rest areas to avoid them. One day it clicked and the intimidation was no more. Even the most experienced have trouble parking, miss a turn, from time to time. Wrong addresses and road construction are just one of the joys that keep it interesting. I was serious about the inspiration. You have meet adversity with the best. Keep your faith, believe in yourself, you have the hard part behind you.

Standard of living, financial management and expectations along with work ethic will determine more than “what others are doing”. You have to do for you. I personally try to run 500+ miles everyday I’m out, that equates to what I want to make on a daily average. Last 13 days out my daily average was 547. At the same time I know folks who only go on duty for 8.5hrs a day regardless of how productive it may be. My trainer knew what he had to make for his comfort level. He would not run an extra mile unless it was headed home. Again, your habits will dictate how much you make and what you prioritize to do with it.

Best of luck to you. I walked away from being the broker owner of 3 real estate franchises to start this adventure at 62. You can do it! I can say from conversations I’ve had with our corporate owners, safety department and terminal manager our company (Knight Transportation) loves their “older” drivers. One at our terminal is 77. Don’t want to say it’s the easiest but from my limited experience would recommend training and experience in dry van. Then move to what interest you from there. I really wanted flatbed work, but it was not sustainable for me. Gaining experience every day DV with the new goal of moving to tanker someday down the road. Keep an open mind and be receptive to correction/direction. There’s a good chance your trainer will be half your age.

TwoSides, my dry van experience parallels you past week. Gets old chasing trailers, delays at customers and continual “missing” pay that the DM says he’ll pay. Never a straight answer. Miles are good around 2700 most weeks, time / ELD management has improved. No longer intimidated by backing, even at truck stop. Spent last two periods running the Midwest OK to PA and South. Generally, seems I make a big circle back to terminal. It’s the backhauls that seem to be the most hassle. Plenty dedicated freight going to and across the MW but have to pickup live loads to get back South. Seems to always be some mom & pop load in N. Ohio, Indiana, Missouri or even Oklahoma. After the PA, WV and NC mountains I’ve checked that off my list.

I’m a Garmin junkie ( truck, RV, boat). Currently have the Dezl 800 in the truck. Really like it so far, have found that monthly updates help. While training my trainer had the Rand McNally no complaints it worked well. If you go to Garmin’s website they have factory refurbished units at a discount with full warranty.

In one of my prior career’s I was involved in drug testing from collection to termination for 25+ years. In that time only one claimed he didn’t participate in drug usage trough out the process. All the others eventually, admitted they thought they could beat it. The process is pretty much perfected these days. Keep in mind you are dealing with Federal Government requirements not some Sports League. Getting your own test especially in advance would be of no value in my experience. Bottom line…..if your clean wiz in the bottle and be done with it. This something only you can determine.

100%in agreement with Old School on dealing with your issues. As new driver the ability to do so will be paramount to your success. Once you are solo there’s nobody in the truck “ in the moment” you need to make rational decisions. The absolute worst decision is indecision. This job requires daily reasonable approach decision making.

Best of luck in your endeavors.

Would recommend a company sponsored school vice private party CDL mills. If you research the “schools” you’ll find although they call themselves “Truck Driving - School/Academy/Institute” they are only a path to your license. Maybe a few tidbits here and there and that’s it. I went that route and had several companies tell me in the hiring process “they were not a real school”. I now understand. I can say the only thing I carried forward from them was straight line backing. Several of us here currently work for Knight Transportation and are happy there. I can personally say they have lived up to everything they stated in the hiring process. They have an outstanding company training program without a lengthy commitment. Terminal in Charlotte NC maybe your closest. Keep in mind 90+% of what you read online was written by a disgruntled employee. As others have said stay away from 1099 and LO/OO companies starting out. Whither you stay for a career or to gain experience plan to spend you learning time with a mega carrier. There’s so much to learn in a short amount of time. Choose a company that treats you fair, gives you opportunity and give them a days work in return for your education. Best of luck in your endeavors.