I Have Had It
Topic 14716 | Page 5
Keith wrote:
My 2 cents which is what it's worth - I imagine you like to cook on the road - If an APU is important to you don't go with Swift or Knight as neither have APU'S - Prime or Jim Palmer sound better- to me anyway- That is IF your still thinking of leaving TA and Prime or Jim Palmer are interested in you and you have the choice !
An APU is not a good reason for choosing or disqualifying a company.
I have never needed an APU; I run the AC in the summer by thermostat/optimized idle, during the winter the bunk heater uses a small amount of electricity from the battery (thermostat controlled). When I ran a full sized condo-sleeper (for 3 years), I had a built-in fridge, and small DC TV, couple of fans, never needed an APU, battery handled the load just fine.
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
APU:
Auxiliary Power Unit
On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.
Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.
APU's:
Auxiliary Power Unit
On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.
Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.
G-town how does it work with inverters without having an APU? I've seen the crock pots that plug into a 12v, but they are pretty small. I have a larger one that is a standard plug that my inverter runs no problem. That's what I use to cook on the road because I usually have leftovers for another night or two.
An APU wouldn't be a determining factor for me. It's a luxury that I could live without, just like a fridge or tv. I would like to have a decent inverter though.
APU:
Auxiliary Power Unit
On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.
Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.
G-town how does it work with inverters without having an APU? I've seen the crock pots that plug into a 12v, but they are pretty small. I have a larger one that is a standard plug that my inverter runs no problem. That's what I use to cook on the road because I usually have leftovers for another night or two.
An APU wouldn't be a determining factor for me. It's a luxury that I could live without, just like a fridge or tv. I would like to have a decent inverter though.
Chickie, I have a tremendous luxury running Walmart. Y'all going to hate to hear this...
Our terminal driver's area has a full kitchen, full recreation room. We also have several drivers with seroiously good culinary skills. I have never had the need to cook on my truck, so I don't know how to answer this. Even if I am parked at a Walmart for my 10, I show my id and I can use the microwave in their break room.
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
APU:
Auxiliary Power Unit
On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.
Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.
If you can make it to 4 months Crete will take a look at you, they pay better then every company you listed by a mile.
Eckoh wrote:
If you can make it to 4 months Crete will take a look at you, they pay better then every company you listed by a mile.
A mile? Please quantify that in CPM for those of us "not in the know".
CPM:
Cents Per Mile
Drivers are often paid by the mile and it's given in cents per mile, or cpm.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Just to add if you are going to move BEFORE you make any choice on company DO NOT just talk to recruiters. Go to truck stops and find drivers getting fuel, not the one sitting around in the truck stop, you will not really get to have a long conversation with them but you can very quickly find out info from them.
From what i found is of you HAVE to move ask a few simple questions you need real answers on:
What is the base pay (so you know what the starting point is) What are the average miles that driver gets (that way you get info from drivers not the recruiting party line)
then ask questions that are important to you, for example i will never work for a company that does not allow inverters or does not have some sort of climate control option (apu or opti idle) as if i am on the road i will be comfortable my way not how some desk monkey in an air conditioned office this i should be.
By all means if you do end up switching jobs make damn sure its a move up, not just a side step or even a step down. Also keep in mind without 1 full year behind the wheel you will most likely have to go out with a trainer again so that they can make sure you know what you are doing. Dont make a rash choice and end up worse off then you are. I started at swift and had my reasons for leaving on top of the fact that i couldn't pay the bills i needed to pay driving an average of 3000 miles a week with them. I now drive for crete and have had issues here as well but there is not another large carrier out there that comes close to paying what this company pays and can get you the miles they get you.
Like Old School said everything you have been though is part of trucking, it just sucks its all happened to you early on and all at once. If you end up still wanting to change do a truck ton of research before you move, the last then you want in this industry is to look like a job hopper.
APU:
Auxiliary Power Unit
On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.
Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.
G-town how does it work with inverters without having an APU? I've seen the crock pots that plug into a 12v, but they are pretty small. I have a larger one that is a standard plug that my inverter runs no problem. That's what I use to cook on the road because I usually have leftovers for another night or two.
An APU wouldn't be a determining factor for me. It's a luxury that I could live without, just like a fridge or tv. I would like to have a decent inverter though.
Chickie, I have a tremendous luxury running Walmart. Y'all going to hate to hear this...
Our terminal driver's area has a full kitchen, full recreation room. We also have several drivers with seroiously good culinary skills. I have never had the need to cook on my truck, so I don't know how to answer this. Even if I am parked at a Walmart for my 10, I show my id and I can use the microwave in their break room.
The WM Dedicated drivers usually return to the DC/terminal and take their 10 if not every day, worst case every other day. The goal is to get out, finish the route and get back before exhausting the 14 hour OD clock.
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
APU:
Auxiliary Power Unit
On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.
Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.
Eckoh wrote:
If you can make it to 4 months Crete will take a look at you, they pay better then every company you listed by a mile.
A mile? Please quantify that in CPM for those of us "not in the know".
Crete start drivers with 0 experience (thoes from one of the schools they accept from) at 45 cpm for the dry van side and 48 cpm for the reffer side (shaffer trucking) i do not know what hunt (last best div) pays but i do know its 80% no tarp. This is for the 21 day national fleet, pay is reduced for the 12 day and 7 day fleets, regional fleets i believe are 43 cpm and i know the Northeast regional fleet is pay per day.
Crete says drivers average 2800 miles a week and its close to it overall you will rarely get under 2500 a week (i got 3690 last week)
They allow riders and pets all new trucks come with 1500 watt inverters (old trucks can have them installed at if driver pays for it and the inverters is yours and follows you into future trucks)
All trucks have some sort of climate control though the use of Opti Idle in the freight shakers and the smart start in the intertrashinals.
Average length of load is 700-800 miles but like with all companies some are shorter and some are longer, and its 99% no touch freight.
Regional:
Regional Route
Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.
Dry Van:
A trailer or truck that that requires no special attention, such as refrigeration, that hauls regular palletted, boxed, or floor-loaded freight. The most common type of trailer in trucking.CPM:
Cents Per Mile
Drivers are often paid by the mile and it's given in cents per mile, or cpm.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
G-town brags:
Chickie, I have a tremendous luxury running Walmart. Y'all going to hate to hear this...
Our terminal driver's area has a full kitchen, full recreation room. We also have several drivers with seroiously good culinary skills. I have never had the need to cook on my truck, so I don't know how to answer this. Even if I am parked at a Walmart for my 10, I show my id and I can use the microwave in their break room.
I want iiiinnnn!!!!
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
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Yeah o can live without the tv and buy my own fridge but I really like having the APU. It's something to take into consideration.
Jim Palmer won't take me on without 2 years of experience because I didn't go thru their program to get my CDL. But they are the company I want to work for in the long run.
On another note: Drumroll please!
WE ARE HOME!!! After 8 days, 2 bus rides and one very generous couple driving us home from Springfield, we have finally arrived. Hubby is hanging in there. He's feeling pretty crappy, but he's able to sleep which is helping. We are going to be camping out at the dr office tomorrow in hopes that they can squeeze him in the schedule.
Not sure what's going to happen at this point. I have no idea what's going on with Teddy or where he even is. I'm supposed to call my DM tomorrow because we want to get back on the road as soon as this is over. By the time we get back to Teddy it will be pushing 2 weeks with no miles. And I can't get my breakdown pay until I get the repair invoices for Teddy (I have no idea why they do it that way). So we have about $200 to our name to last us 2-3 weeks. Luckily our MO food stamps haven't expired yet so at least we can buy some groceries.
I miss Teddy....
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.APU:
Auxiliary Power Unit
On tractor trailers, and APU is a small diesel engine that powers a heat and air conditioning unit while charging the truck's main batteries at the same time. This allows the driver to remain comfortable in the cab and have access to electric power without running the main truck engine.
Having an APU helps save money in fuel costs and saves wear and tear on the main engine, though they tend to be expensive to install and maintain. Therefore only a very small percentage of the trucks on the road today come equipped with an APU.