Profile For PJ

Just ignore the dumass!!!

Leave your apu on and it will only run if your battery voltage drops. Better than waking up to a no start condition.

Thanks for letting us know. So sad.

She was a very special lady. She had my number and we talked often years ago. We kind of had a connection through the tanker world. Her investigative skills were very impressive. I often told her I wished I had her as a detective when I was on the job.

The past couple years we had lost touch but I always wondered how she was doing. My prayers to Tom and the kiddo’s.

It’s no big deal if you don’t have unpaid tickets and don’t get any. This is there way of protecting themselves against a driver not paying tickets and getting a suspended license for not paying tickets. Employers only run your mvr once a year and alot can happen in between.

Welcome, We’ve all done stupid things in our careers. It’s not the end of the world unless you make it that way.

You say you hit a pole. That is generic in nature. Big difference if you rubbed a single utility pole without much on it, vs knocking a utility pole over with transformers on it.

You got a ticket so the police were involved. In our business crashes are either DOT reportable or not. If there was a death, injury, or tow away then its DOT reportable. It makes a difference to the carrier.

Did you get terminated?? If not stay put for 1 year and you should be ok. You will have to answer questions to any perspective employer regarding the facts of the crash. Be honest and own it and you will do better in their eyes.

You are in for an uphill battle. First the ticket. Most states are 3 years from date of conviction as a general rule. If it was a misd. they may go longer. That is state dependent. The court or DMV can tell you for sure.

Any reputable company leasing trucks have the same driver requirements as for company drivers from what I have seen. It would have to be with one big enough to be self insured.

Buying a truck is a worse idea in this market. Freight volumes have been flat or down overall for a long time now. All the experts keep saying next quarter we will see improvement. I’ve heard that for the last 10 quarters and it’s not happened. Capacity is still way out of whack with volume and that keeps rates terrible on general freight.

Next the insurance. I have a perfectly clean record. I also have 0 claims. My insurance the last 3 years has increased double digits each year. That hurts the bottom line very hard. You probably could find someone to insure you but the rate will be so high you can’t afford it.

Sub-leasing a truck isn’t any better in my opinion. Again rates don’t sustain it enough because in that scenario 2 people are trying to make money on the deal. The money just isn’t there for that.

Lastly being in south florida makes your situation worse. Alot of freight goes in, but very little coming out and what does is so cheap you basically only make enough to cover fuel. I have actually deadheaded back to GA more times than I can count just because I won’t pull a load to loose money or break even. I rarely ever go down there with general freight. Just isn’t worth it these days. General freight within the state is a little better priced.

I pull alot of a specialized product that goes down there, but that is only for my direct customers. I was just down there in Key West. Was beautiful but that load was a pain. We got it done though.

Wishing you well in trying to get back, but be patient it may take you some time.

Wayne I have to disagree with some of your statement.

I have my own authority and when FMCSA conducted my audit they asked for the long form on me. I am the only driver as well as the owner. I have a 2 year card.

Also I am pretty sure the latest DOT physical is the current and invalidates any prior ones because every state makes you self certify the latest card.

Not knowing anything about your experience it is hard to tell you much.

I’m not scared off with percentage pay as a concept but alot of factors go into knowing if it is worth it.

Every load in this industry pays differently and depends on several factors.

OS I’m guessing some reality has begun to set in for this young man.

You and I both know how overwhelming things can get in business for yourself.

I’m guessing he has figured some things out. I hope he didn’t have any breakdowns. That is a whole different set of problems.

I hope he comes back and shares his experiences.

Your not coming off as rude but it is hard to understand some of the circumstances.

Why did the school send you home instead of you simply going back the next morning and taking the test if that was what the Dr said needed to happen.

We have all taken drug tests and your description does not sound right.

I have never heard of anyone taking 2 samples and pouring them together to make one.

Drinking water while waiting would have no effect on a second sample.

It sounds like an incomplete test from your description and that goes to the clearing house these days as a refusal. As of last monday that leads to a suspended cdl or permit.

How do you get back to the school that late in the business day and get dismissed by the next morning??

Why did the school send you home?? Why would they dismiss you but tell you to re-enroll to pickup where you left off. That sounds very strange to me.

Sounds like you will have to complete a sap to get your permit valid before you do anything.

Is this a private school? Your likely going to have a tough time finding a job once you get a cdl.