Profile For Driver 100

When they teach backing in school they make it sound like you're flying a space shuttle. My OTR trainer was selfish and was only focused on racking up miles.

It would take me forever to back the trailer when I went solo.

I rode with a guy for the first week at my next company. His way of backing made it very, very easy.

I would line up like you would for a 90 but flared out, so like a 20 or 25 angle. truck trailer aligned with each other, end of trailer 1.5 parking spots away from where you are backing into.

Then turn all the way right

back up until trailer starts to turn onto the hole

IF ITS GOING IN TOO SHALLOW REDO YOUR SET UP WITH REAR OF TRAILER FURTHER FORWARD THAN YOUR PREVIOUS SET UP and do it closer if it enters too deep.

You will then turn all the way left to get back in front of the trailer. as you move back keep turning left right left right etc. this is done to keep the truck under (straight with) the trailer

KEEP adjusting to keep as aligned with trailer as possible.

Focus on the driver side. Curb side mirror is distorted so it looks like that side is at an angle even when straight

if its a normal sized spot and you are lined up on the left the right side will take care of it's self

GO SLOW

RELAX

Thank you! I made it!

I talked to an older trucker way back when I was kicking around the idea of becoming a driver. When I asked him about lease options he called them "rent a wreck" that summed it up for me. However my current company has a lease program that is particularly brutal. I went over the numbers with some newer guys who were going to lease. They are going company driver now.

Wish you well, good sir~!!

Hopefully you won't be persuaded to 'fleece' (aka: Lease) .. however.

Please keep us posted; super glad you found another opportunity!!

~ Anne ~

Multiple phone calls yielded 3 job offers:

Western Express Flatbed - .32 cpm OTR - 9 month contract, $2,500 fee for leaving early - 6 weeks with a trainer

TransAm - .50 cpm Regional - $7,500 sign on bonus ($1,250 monthly for 6 months) - 3 days orientation, then truck is assigned and assigned first load.

Navajo - .32 cpm OTR - .38 cpm if you meet the monthly metrics to qualify for a bonus.

The phone calls moved along quickly. After putting in a mini application with truckers report or find cdl jobs, (can't remember which one I used) I spent an entire day answering phone calls from recruiters.

Before their sales pitch I would say "I have a recent DOT accident"

Their response was usually wait 1 year and reaply or wait 3 years and reaply. All the recruiters were very kind and informative.

I am now a TransAm driver but will not drive like Burt Reynolds.

Okay, thanks for the extra information.

All you can do is apply quickly and try to get a driving job as soon as possible. Well, there is one more thing you can do. Try to be EXTRA CAREFUL!

We aren't going to judge you, but by now you know how serious this job is. You have got to keep it between the ditches and be a safe driver. If you can't do that you will not be given any more chances.

After reading your posts on here, I don't you need to be driving. You're a hazard to navigation and safety in my honest opinion.

Tempted to omit this on applications ( spelled LIE)? Yeah, that's a criminal offense all by itself.

Deal with it when it comes up later? Like in court after your next accident? By the prosecuting attorney, or at a deposition when the lawyers did a really quick background check into your driving history?

This is why I come here. To get the answers that might be uncomfortable. I'll put it all out there over the phone when I talk to prospective companies.

Okay, thanks for the extra information.

All you can do is apply quickly and try to get a driving job as soon as possible. Well, there is one more thing you can do. Try to be EXTRA CAREFUL!

We aren't going to judge you, but by now you know how serious this job is. You have got to keep it between the ditches and be a safe driver. If you can't do that you will not be given any more chances.

Thank you.

Looks like I will leave it off for now.

"it's better to ask forgiveness than permission." comes into play here.

Were you given a choice of either resign or be fired by PTL?

Correct.

Or come clean and own it. That would be the much less complicated way, but if Western Express passes on me I might be out of options.

How likely will the omission result in termination at a later date with a new company? Calling around it sounded like it's possible to slide through.

I would have been let go. They said they won't disclose why i left. I've made a few calls today to see how soon the accident report will be available, and what happens if it is not disclosed. It will probably take 2 to 3 weeks to hit my driving record.

Tempted to leave it off applications and deal with it when it comes up later. Some places said once you get through orientation you usually are in the clear. Risky, may be my only way to get back into a truck.

Have termination on DAC report, now resigned from 2nd chance company after putting truck in a ditch. Black ice incident, single truck accident.

3rd chance company or time to move on?

Wow, looks like it's unanimous. PTL it is.

Thank you everyone for your responses.