Profile For Dan67

Just one thing to think about when deciding to lease is who actually benefits the most in a lease. The company. You are making their truck payments, you are paying for the fuel and repairs, you are paying all the taxes, and they don't cover you on their insurance policy. They hook you when they show you the revenue they say you can earn. But that is still contingent based on the fact they control the freight you have available. In reality its a win for the company.

Every state has a 511 service number for road conditions and I know many have an online website that also posts up to date closures. Those are an excellent source of information. Another good tool is the Weather Channel app to see a nationwide weather forecast. These are tools at your disposal that you should use every time you plan your trip. Never Never Never I mean NEVER, blindly follow any GPS system. Recon the route using google maps and zoom down to street view in tight areas. You can always call the receiver to get detailed directions when you get close. There may be a specific truck route to get there you might not be aware of. If it don't feel right, plan a new route. Its much easier to do this before you start. Each time you stop go back over your plan because some things can change.

Siting at the house recovering from a Pulmonary Embolism. Dr says I can return to work next week. Other then that, cleaning up storm damage and downed trees from Helene.

Our trucks have side cameras mounted on the mirrors looking at the sides. That camera was able to record his tag before he hit me. The forward cameras where able to get all his information off his tractor side with its wide angle panoramic view. The second I saw him on my right side is when I hard braked. If I had not hard braked when I did I have no doubt he would have hit me with his tractor instead of his trailer. I kept it in my lane and moved it inches to the left but did not leave my lane. I had two lanes to my left full of traffic. I had no room to go left.

I had a visit today with the Safety Department and they invited me to review all the camera footage. They showed everything recorded from al the cameras in the system. The front panoramic, the driver facing, both sides, and trailer rear. I am in the clear and they say I did everything possible to prevent and mitigate the accident. They where also happy with my 4 second gap in front of me.

I was the victim of a hit and run accident today on I-85 Northbound near Duncan SC. I"m ok. I was able to hard brake and do a little maneuvering to avoid a major accident or cause delays. I was in the right lane of a 6 lane divided highway. A semi with a flat bed attempted to pass me on my right using an on ramp and shoulder. HE hit me with his trailer destroying my passenger side mirror and camera pack. also damaged the side radar and steps. I was able to avoid damage to my steer tire and maintain control of my truck. I was able to safely make it to the road side.

The camera system was able to record everything. It got his truck tag number, cab number, DOT numbers, and company name as well as a picture of him digging in his nose. The video was reviewed by my company Safety VP and he was happy with how I handled everything and it was all recorded. They sent to recording to the Highway patrolman who did the accident investigation. The highway patrol was able to track down the company and get them to have their driver call the trooper. Without that video, he would have gotten away with it.

It pays to keep you head on a swivel and use those mirrors, even when you are just chillin' in the right lane.

I strongly encourage you to stay with Western Express a year or longer. Do not job hop, that will kill a career in a tight market. I have a friend of mine who has been driving for 20 years and he has been getting frustrated and blaming his employers instead of himself. He *****es and whines about they promise this and that and they don't deliver, yada yada.. He has been with 3 companies in the last 8 months and now he cannot find a job anywhere.. don't be like him. Learn every day you are driving, never forget the basics. Keep your head on a swivel and be aware of your surroundings and practice GOAL (get out and look). Learn to be efficient with you're time. Master your tradecraft. You can do this and succeed.

Freight has been inconsistent the last few months. A week or two light, then gang busters the next week. In my area one of our biggest customers is Electrolux in Atlanta. They recently changed companies they contract to run the distribution center. All new software that runs the warehouse and never bothered to train anyone on how to use it. And a majority of the staff quit vs moving over to the new company. So its now a complete mess. Last I heard they where still a week behind on receiving loads and and doing outbounds.

Cargo Transporters has their own app that we use our in cab tablets to scan, we used to use our phones and the company app.

I drive for a company based in North Carolina and I am considered short haul/local. I get paid hourly and time plus half after 40 hours. The company limits us to a max of 55 hours a week. The pay is not the highest but I enjoy having every weekend off and sleeping in my own bed. At 55 hours a week I average about$1400/week. The OTR drivers are still home weekly and they are at 0.67/mile and they average about 2,400 miles per week. The more productive drivers get close to 3,000 a week.

I've never heard of a company that pays actual odometer miles. They go by statute miles or zip miles and practical miles.