Profile For Whip-Stock

This thread maybe discussed somewhere else but have not located as of yet. While this website offers a wealth of information for new truckers obtaining their CDL., are they aware of the cost of medical insurance ?? Not so bad for single person but for married the costs can be phenomenal compared to the salary. Granted truckers are in high demand but the “trucking” companies do not seem to offer a lot of help in this area.. Unless (as me with Tyson) you are working for a large company with a trucking division such as Tyson, Walmart etc.... Any other members can offer comments ???

I don’t quite understand why some of the replies are stating that like have to have employers permission to be on spouses insurance plan. Employers have no say in what medical plan you use. It’s your budget and your livelihood.

Jeremy, it is not up to your trucking company - if your wife's employer allows you to remain on her plan, then you can remain on her plan.

Jeremy, you'll have to ask your recruiter. Currently, I work for a DoD contractor and my wife is a nurse at a local hospital. While there is no federal law stating we must have separate insurance plans, it is up to each employer to determine how they want to handle it.

Yes, sir! I already sent him a message. Waiting to see what he says. It would be nice to save a few bucks, but whatever will be, will be. I was just curious in general, as if there might be some sort of industry standard or something. But your words cleared that up for me. So, now we'll just see what the company says. Thanks for the insight!

Which is my exact reason for Tyson. Since they are not solely a trucking company they can offer cheaper rates. When I read on here how much some of these guys are paying for single coverage.....Wow.... WalMart would be the same with the amount of employees they have.. Just not specifically a trucking company.. If the cpm makes ones eyes light up and / or the thought of driving that new rig, have a look what’s coming out of pocket bcs at the end of the day, it’s why we’re out here.

Yes, sir. As far as I know it's all team driving. And I plan to contribute in the diary section here. Seems like the least I can do, try to share some info for the next newbie same as people have shared for me!

About 10 days or so until I head over there to Iowa. Then it's sort of a waiting game. If I pass the physical, then I have to pass their records department, etc., and if I pass that, then I have to pass the Driving exam, etc., etc.

I'm blessed to get the opportunity. And I'm already giving 110% to every effort, so what will be, will be. (And hopefully what will be is a long, detailed training diary!!!)

After the downturn of the oil drilling industry I was thrusted into the trucking industry and was not an easy changeover. Switching careers at 61 y/o was definitely no easy task. Not just in salary but the challenge from management to driving was rough. What I found really surprising was the cost of medical insurance for myself and Wife. We’re talking to the tune of hugging $200.00 per week... So now after hearing how companies are trying to woo experienced drivers I’m still hearing thru the truckstop grapevine that drivers are still paying ridiculous rates. For me, I drive for Tyson who is not primarily a trucking company but a food service company with a trucking division. Ur their medical insurance for double coverage runs nearly 75% less expensive so when searching for prospective company do consider the cost of medical coverage if you are going to cover additional dependents...

I now drive for Tyson who as most know are mostly reefers. Several pros and cons against reefers but first to note that many with Tyson love the split sleeper berth over the 10 / 14 mode. Very confusing for me at this point. Would like some input on this issue from some of the more experienced drivers. Which do you prefer and why ? As for the reefer vs dry van ? I have done both and have found that due to appointment times, and loading/unloading times can eat up weekly driving hours quickly so many times difficult to get 3 k miles per week.

No, for a fact it's $200 per week. I couldn't believe it myself. On the other side we fill out PTA's (projected time of availability) when we depart a shipper so by the time you put in an MT call you should be assigned another load by this time and as now , I'm "waiting". I try to manage my time so I don't have to do recaps but if have to wait for another load or assigned loads where the customer is not open on weekends then what ???? Recap no good for this day. Loosing more time. It is a small company and I'm considering to make the change and take my chances. My time goes in tomorrow. Also, whrn I run. - I run hard. Carry my lunch on the road with me and only stop for 1/2 hour break or toilet. I don't stop to have a meal until my 10 hours is up. Advice now ???

What I'm getting at is, I've never drove reefer so do any of the members think it's a good idea to make the change from dry van to reefer knowing the difference in pay and cost of the innsurance?

Been with this company (Dry van) a little over a year now and the cpm is to .48 but their mileage has been short to mediocre w avg. of 2300 miles per week. Their insurance is running $200 per week.

Reefer company I'm thinking of is offering start pay of . 43 cpm w/ $32.00 per week foe insurance.

Any comments will be welcomed

Definitely not South of Orlando, FL. Parking sucks and if you do find a place, then you have to pay to park. Not trucker friendly.

What's best, managing the 70 hr clock where you can run off good recaps or go ahead and eat the 34 hours.. I sometimes argue the point with dispatchers. Hate sitting around for 34 hours,,, , Thoughts welcomed....