Profile For Tweak

Well, I guess it's official. Put in my application a few days ago, got a call back almost immediately from the same recruiter I've been talking to. I report for training on the 31st. They offered a Greyhound ticket, but screw that noise, I'm flying. I'm studying the Texas-specific info for my CDL permit, since I have to have that now. I test on Monday.

I have to admit, I'm a bit nervous. I mean, I used to drive tanks, so I'm used to big vehicles, but in a tank, if you hit something it was a minor chewing out from your platoon sergeant about scuffed paint. Here, it could mean the end of my career. Plus, I can't read a map for nothing. Add to that the whole time management angle, and it feels like one mistake puts you on the crap-list at the company, and two means you're out.

But still, I'm ready and eager. I'm willing to learn, put my ego aside and take my licks, and take in everything I can. I want this job, for at least a year while I figure out a more permanent plan, but who knows? It may grab me and turn into a career. It's an odd feeling of freedom for me, having been told what to do and when to do it my entire life(joined the Army right out of high school).

I'm raring to go, anyway. Les do dis...

So, what do we think of this?

Okay. Say you're doing your pre-trip, and one of your slack adjusters moves more than an inch, or something similar. I don't know if you can fix that yourself. So, what if you were at a truckstop in the middle of nowhere and you find one thing wrong in the pre-trip? DO you not roll? How would you get that fixed? Does the company send out a maintenance truck? Just curious. Thanks!

Okay, so I've been reading a lot on here, and I have a question for y'all. It concerns the "Field Expedient Method."

If you don't know what that is, basically it's a process or procedure chopped down to its most essential bits to save time. For example, Boresighting a tank—basically aligning your sights, making sure that the gun is aiming where the sight is. By the book, it takes about 30-45 minutes, but an experienced tank commander and gunner can get it done to standard in 15.

I've been studying The High Road and the Missouri CDL manual, focusing on pre-trip. I want to have it down pat so I can first-time go the exam. But looking at it, it seems it would take a decent amount of time to do the entire thing "by the book," done every day, at the start of every trip. I know that after a while, it would be quicker, but still.

I know safety is paramount, and I'm not asking permission or anything, I'm just curious: do you guys and gals do the entire thing every time, or do you use the F.E.M. and do a quicker version? If so, what do you check, what do you skip over?

So, I've been studying the High Road for a few weeks now, and I think I'm getting the hang of this stuff! I've been taking every practice test I can find, including redoing thew modules on THR, and I'm getting around a 90% pass rate. I gonna keep on keeping on, and I think I'll be ready for my Texas Permit test next month! Thanks so much to those that put this together.

You only get the Dancing Bananas when you eat a Peanut Butter Jelly...

Eh, just kidding!

Congrats, dude!

Hey, all! Does anyone know anything about a company called O&S Trucking? I checked the company listings on this site and I didn't see it. I read on another website that they also run a CDL training program, and according to their website, it seems very comparable to Prime's. However, I didn't see anything about things like pet policies, home times, where they run, etc. I'm trying to gather all info I can before I pick a company, so any comments or info would be greatly appreciated!

SO, I was on YouTube and I saw this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzkWTcDZFH0

Like the title says, it's a compilation of trucks crashing. As I was watching, I noticed something. I used to watch these videos and laugh at stupid people, but now that I've been getting involved with the trucking community and set my career course, I find myself getting mad. I watch and I'm like:

"... following too closely."

"... turned too fast."

"... tried to pass without proper room."

Most of these videos happened outside the US, which means likely in countries without as many regulations as the US and Canada, but still. They're putting people's lives in danger, and for what? A few less minutes of travel time? I guess I can see these now as "examples of what not to do." There's a couple of real bad ones in that video I linked, and I can't stop myself from saying, "What were they thinking?"

Not sure why I am posting this. Just musing, I guess. I'm going in to the business with a healthy respect and a slight dose of fear for the equipment I'll be driving. Not so much that I'd get hurt, but more afraid that I'd hurt someone else. I'm slowly getting the idea that tractor-trailers are a lot like the tanks I used to work on. My old Tank Commander once said, "Tanks do two things: they break, and they kill. They don't care when they break, and they don't care who they kill." I know that's a bit hyperbolic, so forgive me, but the concept is kind of similar. Without proper use and adherence to the rules, rigs can easily hurt or kill someone.

I plan on using a truck GPS, because I'm absolute rubbish with maps.

Tweak, Using a map IS NOT Rocket Science. If you know your alphabet and can count to 100, you can read a map. Get a Motor Carriers Atlas and open it up. DO NOT rely ONLY on a GPS unit. Maps do not need batteries, they will always work! Always have a back up plan, write down directions, especially turn by turn to your destination. That extra 10 minutes could save you hours, or worse!

Thanks for the tip, brother.

I don't know about maps being easy. The Army's been trying to teach me map reading for 13 years, and I STILL need a refresher every time we do Land Nav. Hell, when I was a Drill Sergeant, I always made sure the other Drills would teach Land Nav, because I sure as crap couldn't!

See, I don't get this. I mean, I plan on using a truck GPS, because I'm absolute rubbish with maps. Looking at the Rand McNally one, the latest model. Heh, I hope my driver trainer at Prime doesn't mind...

But anyway, even when using my phone GPS in my truck(little truck, Silverado) I know to be aware of my surroundings. Guess it's that whole "720° security" thing from my deployments, but still. It seems common sense ain't so common these days.