Profile For Wild-Bill

I wasn’t trying to pass judgment or question your integrity or background. If my statement came across as doing so, I apologize for my poor choice of words. We’ve all made mistakes and had had life happen to us at times. I was just trying to point out that obstacle wasn’t about the companies rules for documentation.

I’m glad you worked through it and landed something to start your new career and I’m sure you’ll do well. as others have said the skill sets of running a business will help you rise to the top in trucking.

One of the first things I learned about trucking after a 30 year executive leadership career is that My success in my prior career counted for exactly nothing in the trucking world when starting out.

Again I apologize if I offended you.

Jon, I know your situation is frustrating and I think you’ve gotten some good advice on how to move forward. I’m confused though that you are all tied up in knots about generating a 1099 or a schedule C because of personal integrity. Last time I checked, not filing taxes isn’t exactly a moral high ground.

I’m not saying you should lie or cheat the system to get a job. But I think you need to rethink the tone of blaming the industry or individual companies that are simply asking for legal tax documents to prove what you’ve been doing for the last couple years.

This forum talks a lot about taking personal responsibility and not badmouthing employers for driver errors. It’s easy for drivers to point at “the company” or dispatch when most of the time they need to take a look in the mirror first.

You can and will get through this obstacle, but remember it’s your mistake not theirs.

Just my two cents on the topic

Does "your friend" already have a CDL and were testing for a new job, Or were you testing to join a company for training.

Here's what I found employers who employ drivers subject to the licensing requirements in 49 CFR Part 383 and the drug and alcohol testing requirements in 49 CFR Part 382 are required to query or report information in the Clearinghouse. However, employers of drivers not holding a CDL or CLP must still comply with the driver investigation requirements of § 391.23(e), which includes drug and alcohol violation history.

I'm not a smart man, But I read that as yes. Employers are required to report testing that is required for a DOT regulated job.

Thanks for the very detailed answers. I appreciate your help. I sent in my application, Hopefully I'll be able to get a shot at what looks to be one of the best trucking jobs out there.

I thought of two more questions if you see this-

Do you get paid for the orientation/training?

Do you get paid weekly or bi-weekly?

Quick update first as I've lurked here a bit, but don't often see a post I feel like I can add value to. Anyway, I've been driving local for Dart for the last 6 months or so. The money is good and they treat me well, but the equipment and communication is less than spectacular. I'm also not a huge fan of the PTO or Holiday pay program. So, I decided to look at some job boards just for fun and found that one of the "local" Walmart DC's is hiring. I've re-read Turtle (and Brandon's) posts about orientation and a week in the life. I have a few questions just because I overthink everything.

Are they back to training in Bentonville now that COVID is mostly an after thought or still at the local DC's?

Can you give an update on how your pay has changed with the new rates? They're saying average is now $110. But I'm wondering what above average looks like? Adding up your "week in the life" post from a while back looks like an average week was around $2065 then. Also, Just curious, but, is the pay rate different in the NE than it is in the Midwest?

Do they push drivers to take extra shifts during peak freight times? It was hinted at in one of the posts early on, but I'm guessing with slip seat drivers, there might not be enough equipment to support everyone taking an extra shift.

How does all that PTO work? They say 21 days in the first year. Do you have to request way in advance? do you have to fight for time off? Are there black out periods? Could you take 2 weeks in a row or is there a limit?

Thanks in advance

I had a replacement done at the end of October. I took 8 weeks off. I probably could have gone back in 6 if I really wanted to, but we were closing in on the Holidays so I decided to take a couple extra weeks. Getting in and out of the truck and into and under the trailer are all much easier now. You’ll have a follow up with your doctor at about 6 weeks and will discuss a return to work at that point. Make sure you do the PT rehab stuff at home. I also suggest starting “prehab” (doing the rehab exercises before surgery) as early as you can. It made my rehab much easier.

Ditto, finish what you started where you started.

Thanks for the input so far. Here's some added details about the offers that might help clarify the thought process.

Dart is offering $30/ hour (no OT) and saying their drivers are consistently getting around 60 hours per week. Its Monday through Friday with a 600 or 700 start time. They have two major customers Target & I forget the other 9plus some smaller customers). The job is shuttling loads to those DC's 80% drop & hook and they say they have plenty of work available year round. Not that it matters much but their yard is a nice paved yard with all the amenities of a terminal (fuel island, real bathroom, maintenance) which is much nicer than the mud-pit dirt lot yard I'm working out of now. Health benefits are more spendy, but a really good package. Vacation is 2 weeks off the bat with more in the following year.

Tyton is offering 60cpm (65 on weekends) with a 9:00 launch. They have two main needs. One is P&D shuttling from local plants like My Pillow to the terminal. The other is Linehaul running doubles to several different route (Madison, Sioux Falls, Fargo, Mason City) It's one of those deals where you meet another driver and swap loads at a central location. Health benefits are cheaper, but vacation time is only 1 week/year for the first two years.

Either one seems like it will get me $15-20K more per year than I'm averaging now. I'm not thrilled about doubles but it might something to challenge myself. One other thing, Tyton has room for part time fill in drivers where I could work a couple Saturdays a month to pick up some extra money.

My current thinking is to take the Dart Job and work for Tyton a couple days a month for fun money. I'd be leaving Roehl on good terms and can always go back "home" if things don't line up as advertised. Though I like where I'm at, It's also my first driving experience. I really don't know what kind of experiences I might find elsewhere. I'm sure I develop the same good relationship with dispatch at either place. It seems like a little hard work, being reliable and not complaining about every little thing can distinguish a driver pretty quickly in this world.

I'll agree with the others

1) Make SURE your family is onboard with this move. whether local or OTR, there WILL be significant lifestyle changes. A 14-16 hour day driving local is no joke. And I'm sure there will be time away from home during your training and orientation.

2) I would strongly recommend a few months OTR before going local. The opportunities for career ending mistakes on a local run are endless, between city traffic, crazy tight docks, blindside backing, tight turns with pedestrians and other obstacles. It's can really cause some "pucker up' moments. It's really good to have some time OTR to understand how your truck and trailer are going to behave in various situations. I bump more docks in a day than I did in any week of OTR. I would have been an absolute mess going directly to a local job without the OTR time.

I've never run into that. Maybe someone else has more experience. My guess is that you're right. Recruiters tend to be pretty aggressive when they're interested in you. I would think though they would have sent you an email with a "thanks for applying but.." note.