Profile For Jim S.

There's very little increased risk of any threatening side effect in the vaccinated population compared to the unvaccinated, and of course a much higher risk of many threatening 'side effects' of the disease itself compared to being vaccinated.

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Safety of the BNT162b2 mRNA Covid-19 Vaccine in a Nationwide Setting

OK, I went back and looked at the study you referenced. I don't agree with your conclusion, and the study doesn't support it. You said that there is very little risk of being vaccinated compared to being unvaccinated. The study didn't compare it that way, but rather compared the vaccinated with those that developed a SARS-CoV-2 infection (and presumably were unvaccinated). Go back and look at it, it's repeated over and over again. Also, if you look at the eligibility criteria for inclusion in the study, it specifically says "no previous SARS-CoV-2 infection". However, if you've already had the infection (and millions of people already have), then the results of this study do not apply to you. For the record, I've already had the infection.

Not only that, but the facts on the ground in Israel don't support getting the vaccine based on this study either. Hospitals there are reporting that a large number of cases are in the vaccinated (https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2021/08/20/1029628471/highly-vaccinated-israel-is-seeing-a-dramatic-surge-in-new-covid-cases-heres-why). The study you cited mentions that "[v]accination was most strongly associated with an elevated risk of myocarditis", so the shot is not risk-free.

Now, if I, as a layman non-scientist can poke holes in this study, imagine what a trained scientist can do?

So if the vaccine doesn't prevent infection and hospitalization (particularly with the Delta variant, see NPR article), and is associated with an increased risk of myocarditis among other things (from the study), then why on earth would I subject myself to the shot when I've already had the infection and thus have natural immunity which may be at least as good, if not better than the shot? (See https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/medical/dr-makary-says-natural-immunity-is-more-effective-then-vaccine-immunity/ar-AAMX3sM and https://medicine.wustl.edu/news/good-news-mild-covid-19-induces-lasting-antibody-protection/)

No, you won't convince me to take the shot. And the government, employers, etc. won't coerce or force me into it either.

I'll chime in, since this is quite the interesting thread.

I haven't driven a truck in about 2 years, and have no intentions to get back in at this time, but I'm also curious about the idea of mandates. Particularly, if the DOT is going to mandate the jab in order to, say, get your medical card. I was talking to a trucker earlier today and that topic came up. He said he'd quit in a hot minute if they ever did.

This actually brings up another point - self-driving trucks. I get the impression that the large majority of truckers would sooner hang up their keys than take the jab. That means the shortage of drivers would get exponentially worse. Of course, they could be replaced with self-driving trucks, but, probably like Brett, I don't see those as being realistic. I got my CDL originally from a driving school in Philadelphia, and I always figured that if a self-driving car, let alone truck, could navigate that city without human intervention for 20 minutes, I'd be impressed. Any thoughts on either jab mandates or self-driving trucks?

I have my own opinions about the disease and the reactions to it from government and people alike, but for now I'll keep them to myself. Don't want responses to this message to go off the deep end.

So why do you guys not recommend dollar accounts for cdl students? I am not looking into one just curious really.

Are you young, fit, and built like an NFL linebacker? OK, then go ahead, be my guest. Not only will you have to navigate and back into some strange places, which is hard enough for a newbie (trust me, I've done it), you'll also have to unload the trailer yourself. And the people who work at the DC's are masochists - they'll purposely (well, it sure seemed that way) load your carts (Dollar General) completely full of water to where they weigh 300 lbs or more, while putting all the light stuff in other carts, rather than spreading the load more evenly. Or they'll pack boxes of bleach or bottled water at the top of a disorganized mess so you get to drop 60 lbs on top of your head while you're unloading. No thanks, if I ever went back on the road again, I'd NEVER do one of those accounts again.

It's been quite some time since I posted here, but I'll chime in.

I drove for Werner for about a year. Started with the Dollar Tree account (HUGE mistake). After I quit that account, I then went OTR (home weekly) for almost a year and loved it. After that ended, sadly, I took the Dollar General account because it would let me be home weekly (that's important to me). Another big mistake, and after a couple of months, I got back to the DC and told them I was turning in my keys. Haven't driven a truck since (it's been about 2 years). I absolutely agree with some posters/admins here - do NOT do a dollar account as your first trucking job, and in fact, a few people here will echo this sentiment - unless you're young (under, say, 35) and built like a linebacker, don't do a dollar account at all. I once had to unload an entire 53-foot trailer, all 40,000 pounds, by myself in an 8-hour stretch (and I was behind, they wanted it done in 6 hours). I'm in my 50's, and after I was done with that job, I slept for 12 hours at the nearest truck stop and quit that account as soon as I got back to the DC. If I ever considered going back on the road again, I'd only do OTR. Give me drop and hook every time.

I'm not sure where you went to CDL school, but I took mine in Philadelphia, PA. A rough city to drive in, even without driving a big rig. We had plenty of opportunities to practice backing. Sounds to me like you had some lousy instructors.

A little PSA for those who may have the same issue I have. QC locks up, display flashes off and on, touchscreen unresponsive. Talked to Omnitracs support and they told me it was because communications were lost. Probably the WIB cable or antenna. Self help is to find the black box (for me it's in the side box, under the bunk), unplug the cable that has a square attachment to the black box, replug after 10 seconds, touchscreen works again. Oh boy.

Congrats! I also got my CDL at S&S. And I drive for Werner. Not yet 100% automatic, I had a manual for about 5 months earlier this year. They recently gave me an automatic. In some ways, I like the manual better, particularly when backing into a dock. But I don't miss it in heavy traffic. Good luck and drive safe! Might see you out there sometime.

I'm a pretty new driver, about 4 months or so, and I typically run the northeast, but I'll give you my take. I saw 4 recruiters at CDL school, went with Werner as they had more options for a newbie of those I spoke to. There are several companies, so choose what is right for you. But as they tell you here, unless you're young and strong, stay away from dollar store accounts as you'll have to work your butt off.

I have a couple of go-to truck stops I like to frequent, but mostly because they're on the route I normally drive. T/A is my first choice, Love's second. I like Petro as well, but don't normally run across them where I usually go. I don't usually have to pay for parking unless I stop near Baltimore, but it can be free if I fuel there or buy $20 worth of stuff, which can include dinner.

I mostly stop at particular places if they're company fuel stops, though not exclusively. Heck, I've spent more than one night sleeping in a drop yard, or a service plaza on the turnpike.

I like the restaurants at T/A and Petro with their buffets, the others seem to have chains at their stops. I can eat at a chain anywhere, I prefer their own branded places when I'm on the road. Healthy food, too. You can buy fruit, hard boiled eggs, cheese, etc. at truck stops or service plazas, so you don't have to eat junk food.

Hope this helps.

And I ain't done yet. Still have to drive 135 miles tomorrow to get home. This is kinda unusual for me as I drive a feeder route in the northeast, normally not much over 2000 in a week. This week I took several loads to Ohio from eastern Pennsylvania and back again, which is why the extra miles. Almost had my first 600 mile day as well, 594 yesterday. Whew! Time for a hot meal and a shower in the morning at the truck stop.

I did. Paid $4k and took up with Werner. Run in the northeast, out of a drop yard near Philly, home weekly. It can be done, you'll have to do your homework and find the right fit for you.

Not all major carriers run exclusively autos. I drive for Werner and have a manual. But it is older, all new trucks will be auto.