Profile For Ted P.

Looking for a Driving Job isn't ever easy, I'd suggest do what is called a "fuel stop interview" it is usually done from watching drivers fuel then come into the fuel stop to sign their ticket to leave after getting stuff... it does work and is effectively a good way to get the "real" pro's and con's of any company... CFI I have herd nothing but good things about, Millis, I have herd some good and some bad, I have been owner Op for too long, cause I would suggest CFI, but this is me. a "fuel stop interview is the best option in my opinion. I wish I could help more.... be safe out there...

So far pay about the same Schooling approx. same cost, both come with auto restrictions, and require a 12mo. contract Everyone at CFI so far very nice just needed my permit and they will send rental to drive to school in Joplin MO which I finally was able to take the test Friday and passed but torn between these two employers So far very close, however where millis shines the terminal and school are in my home state and only a couple hours away from my home CFI no upfront cost Miliis 500 deposit which I have but just throwing that out there too If anyone knows more about these two or a better opportunity PLEASE SHARE, I really want to try to retire with my first choice I am 52 and that shouldn't be that hard to do One other thing I know cfi has teams millis doesn't not. My wife has also show interest in joining me if all goes well, and I could lease on with cfi if I should decide I know millis does not have teams but being so close to home almost cancels the team thing out...struggling here but can't keep dragging my feet it's now or never time I have been offered a good job in my field but so tired of it....plus I am afraid I am going to walk away for this opportunity and have regrets if continue in my previously chosen profession of 25 years. Always wanted to be a trucker, my uncle who was basically my father was one for 35 years and with my wife's interest as well it is hard not to consider changing careers this late in life, plus crawling under houses all day every day is not as fun or easy as it once was. Thank you again for any positive input or direction on my predicament

YOU asked and pushed, I have many endeavors out there, shut me down in "lockdowns" I don't care I make money better than most, "bragging", you still drive? I retired...be safe....wink*

You're only running one business, Ted? Only one house? LOL. I don't post about my real estate, vehicles, business ventures, etc. because no one cares and it has little to do with trucking.

I have been with JB So many times, they love my "safety" rating...LOL Orientation, I'd suggest bring about 150.00 extra cash on you, they pay for meals for "lunch" but not dinner and breakfasts sometimes are from the motel" you are staying at... I live maybe 50 miles away from the Chicago terminal, there orientation motel is off of "Kedzie" it is a small walk if you feel brave isn't the best neighborhood for walking truck-drivers, LOL

bring extra money, the "ma and pa restaurants" there are the "bomb".... bring a few days of cloths, and IF you smoke, bring a carton of your brand of smokes, the cigarettes' sold there are way pricier than most other places, 12-15 buck a pack easy, the small stores off of Pulaski, are outrageously expensive, other than that, the "driving test" they will take you down Pulaski to 147th, and pick on a few stops with docks then back very heavy traffic mostly, which is why the test there... just take your time, speed limit there is 30 for cars, no body does it, LOL I have done 25 which is fine for the instructor, or safety person to get the "feel" of your driving....

Good luck with the Orientation....

I'm starting JB on the 15th. Wondering if anyone could tell me about their orientation process or any thing like that

There is a trick that comes to mind driving in wintery weather that most people aren't aware of, ( Ever hear of the "rumble" on the beginning of the shoulder?) it is also a trick from US midwestern states to get guaranteed traction in snow filled terrain, riding the shoulder slightly on the "rumble strip" is where ice cannot form on with a tire going over it, it is impossible, just don't drive to wild, I have driven in the east-coast hills like this, and the rockies uneventfully for the last 10 + years, it is a good trick that works. Using light "Jake breaks" in thick snow does work also, but I don't suggest most of the "newbie's" on here to do it, from the likely-hood of SO many difference of opinions. Very old school trick is to pour a decent amount of "bleach" on your tires before one drives in bad snowy weather or roads, the "Bleach" has a chemical reaction with the rubber and heats up the tire, melting ANY sow on the tire providing traction for the truck regardless if MT or loaded... ( IN emergencies only ) it does degrade the tire if done more than 3 times, but the first time the tire would be OK. IF your "gut" has a problem with driving in thick, thick snow. Please pull off, most of the time, bad weather driving, even for the experienced drivers, is a "luck thing", be careful either way people.... IF you have a difference of an opinion, of the "(Jake break") topic, please keep it to yourself, some use them some don't in truth, most companies practice this is not to be done, but it has worked SO, SO many times for "me" in the past, it isn't about the friction on the road, it is about the friction in the motor. which IS a fact. like it or not... be safe out there...

I80: Exit 235, Walcott Jct - Laramie: Closed to light, high-profile veh BOTH DIR due to Gusting Winds and Slick Conditions. Other travel expect black ice. Buckle up.

I was in Little America, now I’m in Rawlins. Due to the high winds is why I can’t go anywhere, my load is simply to light. Once they lift the restriction to light weight high profile vehicles, I’ll be able to continue my journey to PA.

Were you a fuel tanker in a class "B"? getting into the same field of work doing tank work would be an easier switch for you, the operating a tanker isn't a skill to take lightly, I would suggest you to call a fuel company or a crude oil company, stay in this field of work. Quality Carriers, is one that comes to mind, I don't know if they train though. The work wouldn't change except for the "wash-out" appointments, and most tank companies drive an "open bore" tank, food grade liquid cannot have baffles in the tank and guarantee the baffles to be cleaned, so the work is very -touchy to say the least, and mostly the trucks needed for transport of most tanks are the big trucks, Peterbilt and Kenworth, freight=shakers are coming around, but I never drove one yet, not while driving a tank, I am too old school for that "New age" kind of stuff, besides I wouldn't like the road life without the truck I drove for the last 15 or so years.... LOL.

Food grade liquid, and lighter than air powder is a good living, and most jobs (road companies for delivering food grade liquids) the trucking life-style does change allot, no waiting in line for one, tank drivers usually deliver once they get to the receiver. the freight is too needed, and there is always a process for delivering safely always... "Door swingers", LOL don't have to deal with climbing on the trailer to make sure ALL the seals on the tank are secure, and making sure your min is in the proper position are the big ticket items for D.O.T. inspectors to spot in an inspection... it would be a good fit for you, my opinion. there are QC, food-liner, and LCM to name a few. IF memory serves LCM hauls chocolate for Hershey that is a good gig for the most part, and the chocolate is always a good thing to bring kids on, my daughter misses going there from the smell.... there is a company in the pan handle of Florida that promises to load and unload the product for the driver, and the orientation is way relaxed, the company rent's a car or a plain trip and a rental car from the airport, I drove my BT there when I were there... good luck with your pick, FYI be careful on whom you choose to drive for, LTL would be a good one with your tank experience, and your loading and unloading experience, a crude oil company would be a good one as well, food grade is another but there way cleaner, LOL. either way good luck, IF you want I could give you a broker's name to get you with a company he mainly deals with for you to make "bank" seriously....

Hello to everyone willing to give advice!

I have been driving a class B fuel truck for almost 3 years. Pulling a fuel hose to fuel a truck or a fill pipe on house has gotten old and I am looking to do more. My ultimate goal would be to drive transport tanker but not sure how to get there. Obviously I need my Class A license and experience. Do I go with prime, which has a tanker division? Can I get a tanker trainer or am I going to have to start with a reefer anyway? Do I go with Roehl without a tanker division but is more local for me? I know I can't just get in a truck and drive as my experience is not with a combo, so the time I have to put in for paid CDL training is no bother to me. Even in the 3 years i have been with my current company, I am learning something new everyday. I am not questioning if this is something that I want to do, it's for sure. Just not sure which route to take. I have not had a problem getting accepted anywhere as I have a good MVR, hazmat/tanker endorsements, and some schooling/experience. ANY advice ANYONE can give me on here would be super awesome, plus I wouldn't mind getting to know some of you as I will be on the road as well and it seems there is alot of you that have great helpful trucker advice. Thank You!

IF that is ok with you, great... good for you, but the actual "freight" is irrelevant, in the long run, the career is what is important for most, is the "making money part" not the job but the "provision"... I have learned allot, yet I do miss the being alone some-what, I don't miss the waiting for a paycheck/settlement cause I got paid from the broker as soon as the load receiver called they got the load undamaged and well ahead of schedule. I am a person who doesn't need a "pat on the back" to get stuff done, and it sounds like you are... I got paid for allot when I were out working, I got paid to shut down whenever it were unsafe to drive, I got extra pay for allot of stuff most drivers don't get extra pay for, again, I guess this was my motivation driving me... have a good day, FYI, don't keep this going back and fourth, just stop with the commenting please, your comment was in my opinion, very NON-professional. Have a good day....

Also, Let us not forget there is a bit more to the pay thing than just the almighty CPM. Many companies pay for detention, extra stops, short run pay, etc. etc. Also, and this is a HUGE one.... if you have a good working relationship with your DM, many times they are given a lot of discretion for extra pay and perks they can divvy out to keep their productive drivers happy on the road. An extra $50 here or $75 there may not seem like much, but over the course of the year it does add up pretty quickly... especially when it's free money you get for being a valued professional with your support team at the terminal. As a rookie myself, I've had my DM go out of his way to take care of me with extra pay. Also, I've received great loads when others were sitting in the yard waiting.... I helped out my team by shuttling some trailers they urgently needed moved locally and was immediately given a 900 mile load from Alabama to Maryland, what made that run even better was the deadhead from Lakeland, FL to Pennington, AL was well over 550 miles. Some good money there, when I could have been sitting around waiting for a load at the yard. I know this example doesn't say much about the extra $$ perks I spoke about above, but is an example of getting taken care of when you are a team player and have a good relationship with your support team.

Driver facing camera's aren't a big deal if you do a few of the really good habits all of the time, driving with the seatbelt on at all times is one to point out. some trucking companies have a strict, "NO smoking policy" which is where their so popular. I drove for "swift transportation for 2.5 years, and they had those also, wasn't a big deal, even though they did at first have a problem with me covering the camera when I went to bed, and the truck got backed into from another driver doing a blind side back, and I were on "home-time"... other than that, they only see what you let them see, IF you not driving, another good point to avaid doing is touching your phone more than once while driving, music selection, etc.... it is a good habit to avoid at all costs, but drivers do what drivers do... be safe out there...

I'm going to be going to CDL school to become a professional truck driver and my first choice of trucking companies to get on with after school has driver facing cameras. To me, that would feel like an invasion of privacy. How should I deal with that? Should I not consider this company and go to a company that doesn't have driver facing cameras? Thank you.

you opinion driver, I grossed 170 grand in 2005-2009.... SO your saying what exactly, that YOU can't do that... LOL

I am NOT going to get into a financial debate over this, BUT just so this is said, I guess my personal motivation was more "driven" than yours. I did this, not you apparently. I have bought my wife's dream house, I have all my bills covered, I have savings of a unique sum, and I have a life that most dream of... like it or NOT... but my comment stands, IF you don't like your life than change it, I also negotiated my payment to pay me when I left the "house" til I got back to my house truck and trailer. most don't do this, but again I guess my motivation wasn't to be driving forever. I could afford to hire an attorney, CPA, Insurance that insured ME, and I have way more safe miles than most with all this being said, it comes down to your specific opinion over my experience.... and I guess you can have the "pride" but not the life, I shouldn't have to apologize to you or anyone for the life I chose... and frankly I'm NOT going to... again, if YOU don't like your life change, otherwise quit complaining... have a good day and be safe....

"The only way to make money being a driver is owning the truck?" Total BS advice from Ted.

So the close to $72,000 I netted in 2020 as a company driver, with zero out of pocket truck expenses on me, were a failure?

Road closures are part of the "lifestyle" but there are ways to stay somewhat ahead of the state.... First off, their are phone numbers on the "Rand McNally" Road atlas you can use to check possible road closures on the "route" you or anyone are going to take, keeping up to date on the weather in the area is also a good idea as well... Be safe out there Driver....

Anyone else stuck in Wyoming due to the rolling road closures? Been here since 0130 this morning and it seems it might be awhile. The only updates giving so far was the estimate time for it to reopen has increased, multiple times now.

Recruiter's job is to get YOU in the truck so they get paid. Remember most don't know or care about the job you are going to do. Unless they have worked for that company before. Either way do your research before filling out an application. Fuel stop interviews are a good source of information, to anyone either driver needing training or experienced drivers...

Just a survey, not a lot of discussion needed. How responsive where the recruiters you interacted with? I have been dealing with 3 from separate companies. 1 had responded via phone and email in less than 3 hours or the following morning. Another has taken a week at a time to respond. Another has yest to respond after 3 weeks and 3 messages left to their voice mail and 2 emails to the company orgbox. I don't want to drop a dime on company names, but after reading a bunch of forums here about recruiters, the one who makes an effort towards me is likely to get my nod. At what point have you "cut bait" and moved on?