Profile For SOBER-J

Cool my pick is winning!

Sober-J over

I guess if everything goes right and I pass my road test by this time next week I will be back in a big truck. Orientation starts Monday bright and early for three days. Not sure the plans after its over. They keep saying I will have a road test then be getting my truck. Not to worried about the plan cause they can only do a couple different things. Either give me some loads and get me home for the weekend, or run me though the weekend then bring me home the next weekend. I'm ok with either.

Been nice chatting with you all and talking trucks. I will certainly check in when I can.

I'm Sober-J over

Anything past ten years is gone and not to be worried about on the DAC report. A lot of big companies use it. If you can show 18 months verifiable driving in the past ten years try talking to US Express. I been out quite a while myself but not as long as you. You may have to go back to school or training but if you want it then it's worth it.

I' Sober-J over

I was trying to remember that myself as I will take my road test for US Express nest week. I have 4 years exp but been out 5 and a half.

Just remembered another trick for you. Idle in each gear seeing what the speed is in that gear. The rpm will stay the same since your idling. Whatever the idling speed is in each separate gear write it down. That will be the speed for the gear you need then do like Road Hog bump to 1400-1500 and change the gear. I used to know them all and have memorized but like I said eventually it just comes natural.

Some body tell me if I'm close. Seems like 2 gear was 10mph, 3 was 15, 4 was 20, 5 was 25, 6 was 30, 7 was 35, 8 was 40, 9 was 45, and 10 was 50. Maybe not exact but I think I'm in the ballpark and every transmission and truck a little different. Also for an example if your coming to a stop and gearing down you hit your bump before you slow to the speed for that gear. Can't wait til you slow to the speed for the correct gear cause then by the time you bump your slowed to the speed for the next gear down.

Hope that helps it sure helping me just talking it out.

I'm Sober-j over

It's all about the rpm's. When down shifting look to shift around 1100 rpm's. Push the clutch in about an inch or two and give a little gas to bring the rpm's up to around 1400. As your shifting the rpm's will fall into the 1200 range and it should slide right in. Don't sweat it too much. The tester knows you are new and they generally give you leeway. Heck, I actually stalled out and still passed

Welcome to the forum! Did they teach you to shift by the rpm and speed? When I first started that's how we were taught. Made it much easier for me. Then as you get more experience it just comes natural. Just try to say calm and take one step at a time when you take test. Try not to worry about shifting when your doing the pre trip.

I'm Sober-J over

Yeah man just a joke! That's one thing I hate about posts, you can never here the persons tone of voice or see the facial expressions.

Sober-J over

Hey I just noticed that you are the same Chris L. that survived NYC. Your doing great with that computer log, getting plenty of miles even going to NYC. Most of my driving friends are still with smaller comps running paper and think I'm crazy to go to US Express and be on a comp. log. From what I'm hearing from everyone though it's not going to make that big a difference is it? Another reason this site is so cool!

As far as all the above goes I don't think anyone would ever question you unless there was some kind of incident and you had a DOT actually look at the comp logs. Which from what I understand they have a little trouble doing ha ha! Even then like you say could have been at GP. And... you could always pay some one cash out of your own pocket to tarp, chain, and strap while you took it easy in the sleeper, right? I hear there are out of work x flat bed drivers at most every shipper and receiver across the country willing to do that for cash all the time! You know what I mean! Gives us tired drivers a chance to get a little more rest and that's what the regs for aren't they. You'd just be going the extra mile to make sure you got your rest. Just what I heard though. He he he

I'm Sober-J over

You would trust something to someone that could possibly mean the life and death of you or someone else? That makes no sense. There is a lot more to securing a load on a flatbed than just tying the load down. A $20th to $30 or $50 paid lacky will not be examining the straps or chains as they are putting them on. You would pay them to secure it and that is what they would do. If the dunnage is defective they will careless.

I know you may have just been joking or maybe not but I still wanted to make the point that all straps and chains needs to be inspected load securment takes places. Been more than a few times I have seen people just get out chains and binders and use them to tie down the load and the minute the binder is placed on and tightened they start running cause the chain snapped and one of the links was broken and the binder stretched it out.

Hey I just noticed that you are the same Chris L. that survived NYC. Your doing great with that computer log, getting plenty of miles even going to NYC. Most of my driving friends are still with smaller comps running paper and think I'm crazy to go to US Express and be on a comp. log. From what I'm hearing from everyone though it's not going to make that big a difference is it? Another reason this site is so cool!

As far as all the above goes I don't think anyone would ever question you unless there was some kind of incident and you had a DOT actually look at the comp logs. Which from what I understand they have a little trouble doing ha ha! Even then like you say could have been at GP. And... you could always pay some one cash out of your own pocket to tarp, chain, and strap while you took it easy in the sleeper, right? I hear there are out of work x flat bed drivers at most every shipper and receiver across the country willing to do that for cash all the time! You know what I mean! Gives us tired drivers a chance to get a little more rest and that's what the regs for aren't they. You'd just be going the extra mile to make sure you got your rest. Just what I heard though. He he he

I'm Sober-J over

Never been charged for anything like that. Just depends on your company I guess. I blew the bead on a covered wagon once turning to sharp. It's a lot easier to blow one with the split tandems especially on a hot day. Company took care of that one for me. But it was small company ran by some "good ole boys".

Good luck maybe they'll cut you a break.

I'm Sober-J over

Exactly right brother. They just keep changing the wording and asking the same questions. They want to see that we actually read it and think about it.

So what is the answer? I'm saying B. My trainers always said they didn't worry to much about what as behind them. Unless they hooked up a chain to slow them down! Let's face it if some four wheeler is tailgating they still 60+ feet behind us! Us big company drivers are like big slow elephants compared to the rest of the traveling world. I usually stay in that right lane and let everyone go around and enjoy the scenery.

I'm Sober-J over

Not me but sounds like u have a great opportunity in front of you! What company if you don't mind answering?

Sober-J over