Profile For Jeff L.

I left the real estate market after 25 years not long after the economy went bust. In 2008, I bought a truck, got my authority, and ran drivers for several years and man was that a headache. In 2013 I went through the training program here on Trucking Truth ( An amazing way to learn the ropes I might ad), after which I went to the DMV, took my tests, and got my permit. I then went to school to get the driver training and hours, got my CDL and began driving shortly thereafter. I am 63 years old.

Just a quick note regarding the timing of your Hazmat endorsement. I got my CDL minus the Hazmat in 2013. I am leased on to Landstar which requires us to have Hazmat w/in 6 months of starting. My wife and I both studied and got our required endorsements. This was in October of this year. What I did not know, which I do now is you have to retake the Hazmat exam whenever you renew your license. Since I got my CDL in 2013, my renewal date is April 2018. So as relieved as I was to pass my Hazmat exam just a couple months ago, (Comprehension is not my strong point) I get to relive it all over again this coming April. Looks like I will be doing some brushing up over the next few months. Not complaining, as there is nothing wrong with having the Hazmat rules fresh in your mind. Anyway, Merry Christmas to all.

Would love some opinions on dash cams. Lots of good claims. Would like side view as well. Thanks in advance

https://www.truckingtruth.com/cdl-test/category-hazardous-materials/page-5/

https://www.truckingtruth.com/cdl-training-program/page66

I am in the process of getting my endorsement as a requirement of the company I am leased to. The practice test (Link #1 in regards to the shipping description shows the shipping name as the first listed. I marked the ID as the first item and shows it being an incorrect answer. Everything I have researched has shown the ID# as being first listed which if I heard correctly is a recent change. My wife took the CDL exam and the correct answer there was the shipping name listed first. The ID # listed first was not even an option on her test. (She passed BTW)

Link # 2 on your site also shows ID# listed first, as does 49 CFR 172.202

Would like some clarity. Id hate to choose ID as first on the exam if they havent updated only to get it wrong though I do believe it is the correct in the order of sequence

Thanks for the info Especially the diminished value I hadn't thought of that. Wages as a driver will be different then an O/O. That's the part I am not sure of as far as fair compensation.

I was involved in a hit and run recently. I was able to get the trailer # of the company and a witness. The company is self insured but chose to use an outside insurance co. It was 3 weeks from the time I got hit until getting back into my truck. I stayed in hotel and ate out during the first week while I waited for the decision to move forward on the repairs which was estimated to take a couple of weeks. To save on costs I rented a car (from KY) and drove home out West for the 2 weeks. When I returned ( a day before repairs were completed and payment authorized ) The paint job (the hood, fenders and bumper) looked pretty good though because the truck is a 2008, there was a distinctive difference in the orig color of the rest of the truck. The insurance company basically wanted to get me back on the road to reduce the downtime they acknowledged they would have to pay. We could discuss the paint afterwards.

Now the insurance company initially offered me $150.00 per day (they are calling it loss of use). The offer was for the time it took to complete the repairs which did not include the actual time I was without a truck (so the offer was for $1500.00) I was out of a truck for 22 days . I told the adjuster that was unacceptable at which he asked me to provide my own offer. I wanted to chime in here to get some opinion on what id an acceptable offer. I am an O/O leased on to a company that is primarily expediting. His offer of $150.00 barely covers a driver wage let alone O/O and did not cover expenses of eating out and a hotel.

Please give me your thoughts and any references you might have. I don't want to hire an attorney if it isn't necessary.

Thanks,

Jeff

I was wondering if there are any plans on updating the list of companies and their profiles. A couple of things come to mind, Pride out of Utah has what appears to be a good company to train with. Great trucks and the training pay is decent. Also May trucking as well as a couple other companies I spoke to now allow pets. Pride does as well.

Does anyone have experience with leasing on to companies that handle LTL Hot shot or Expedite. I am buying a truck/sleeper and a 24'box and am thinking of leasing on to a company as opposed to looking for my own. Just a little FYI, I do not have any debt, am single with grown kids and plan on buying a used 2007 or newer so shouldn't be a huge financial burden for me

Thanks

Just FYI Knight now has a pet policy and a very reasonable one $300.00 deposit with $250 refundable

Are there any companies anymore that will allow you to carry your pet? All I have researched so far do not allow pets.

I have spoke to quite a few companies that do allow pets (under certain weight and mostly dogs) Yes the deposit is steep. I have a 6 yr old yorkie that weighs about 5 lbs and has never chewed anything up. But I understand the reasoning for the deposit. The only thing I would hope is that they would consider giving some if not all of the deposit once it is determined the pet caused no damage. I know drivers who have caused more damage then pets :)