Profile For Andrey

many truckers don't know how to use or don't want to use the zipper method to merge in construction areas.

I am one of them. This method is a very bad idea, calling for accidents and as a result, much longer delays. A merge is never a surprise - DOT places signs informing drivers well in advance, so everybody has a chance to prepare and change lanes. Leaving this change for the last second is both a naive and a dangerous decision.

Just got home from my first week with my mentor.

Did you sleep in the truck or WM provided hotel rooms?

I'm afraid that's all I am allowed to share

Are you driving for FBI, CIA or the like? :-)

Here is this switch. When it is illuminated with green, the red light is on.

This is the light I am talking about. And I was lucky to figure it out - it is controlled by a switch near the the bunk, where the heater/cooler, alarm and a few other things are located.

I hope someone will share his wisdom and teach me how to turn off a little red light that is right above the "table."

PA is generally a good place. There are a few long hills and an expensive 76 road, but on the other hand there are smorgasbords, so the trip is definitely worth it!

Working at NFI I had to adjust my weight several time every day and after a year became quite confident in that. Normally I was within 20-40 lbs, but a few times it was zero.

Also, my company has never cared about when I sleep. They do care that I deliver on time. That means I drive at night much of the time.

The loads have always dictated my schedule. I'm assuming yours will too.

Call it an impairment, but my body is made in a different way, and I may also value my health a bit more than other people. I sleep at night and I work during the day. If I need to stay awake at night, I feel bad the next day which is a safety issue. In fact, I don't even see how it can be a problem - if I start my week early morning on Monday at 0600, my on duty hours ran out at 2000 anyway, and I cannot drive until 0600 next morning. Doing it every week will never give me a chance to work at night, isn't it so?

If you don't own the equipment then you aren't "power only." If you are looking at this from a "company driver's perspective," then you should receive a W-2 at the end of the year. Receiving a 1099 indicates you own the power unit. Which will it be?

Technically you are right, 1099 drivers are supposed to own their equipment as contractors. However, the reality of this industry is different. And it is very far from being a Chicagoland phenomenon coming from Eastern Europe, since a lot of American companies hire drivers, put them in a truck and give a 1099. Sometimes they let a driver chose between 1099 and W-2, sometimes there is no choice. Also, such 1099 contracts are almost always made between two companies, which still does not change the ownership, but does make the whole set up look more legit.