Are you expected to sleep in the truck at times, or do they budget and/reimburse for lodging? Is there A/C or heating you can run in the truck with the engine off?
Some trucks are rigged up with heat and a/c that work with the truck off. Mine is not, so when needed I idle the truck. I will idle when it drops into the 20's or above 75. If I'm going to be sitting for a couple days, I'll get a hotel otherwise I stay in the truck.
How do you handle security around the fact that you sleep in your truck? Just curious if there are safe areas that are protected for truckers to sleep in their truck, or something else you have to do at times to make sure you're not robbed or anything while sleeping.
Truck stops and rest areas are somewhat secure, safe parking is a concern for all drivers, parking in general is a big issue in the industry. There is security in numbers , but like in everyday society, things do happen. I have a big mag flash light that I have and a tire thumper , other than that you just hope for the best.
Some drivers are installing cameras and that can be beneficial, it also helps to defend yourself in an accident
Damn, that sounds a little unsettling. What about the stereotype that a lot of truckers are frequently amped up on meth? True? Are drugs readily available at most truck stops, or is that just bs?
Was looking to open a trucking company but man thats hard money nowadays. With the introduction of load boards and bs its hard as hell
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Are you vocally communicating with other truck drivers when you go side by side, blocking both lanes of hwy 288, or just see the opportunity and you both know what to do, or generally just uncoordinated coincidences?
likestohypeguy is now on the block list of all truckers on 288. You guys should be more respectful in this thread.
36-72 thousand is the common range. You can find instances where you could make quite a bit more, but that is becoming less.
Truckers use to be in fairly constant communication and that would happen to PR***s that needed a lesson. Is that what you wanted to hear? There are a**wipes in all aspects of life, but generally this riding side by side happens because most trucks are governed and can only go as fast as they are governed. When you have a truck set at 63 and a truck set at 64, well you have what we call a drag race happening. This is as frustrating to other trucks as well, because this causes backups for us too. I can assure you that this happens nation wide, not just on 288. I promise you if I'm southbound on 288 I'm not riding side by side with anyone. I'm gouging on it going to the house.
That's all it is ,just a stereotype, we are closely watched and tested. When I started you could easily find speed. I haven't heard or seen anything in years. Drivers are not able to drive the long hours they use to drive, enforcement of the laws has amped up over the past several years. They have started using electronic log books,which are connected directly to the computer on your truck. This keeps drivers from doing more than the law allows and now drivers don't need the speed. Of course you will always have people who are going to be using drugs no matter the circumstance but these people are being caught and losing their license more often. I would say you have more drivers amped up on Monster drinks and coffee.
That makes perfectly good sense to me. I appreciate you sharing this knowledge with us. I never had a clue these trucks were governed like they are.
Is everything paid on a per route basis, is the amount based on miles driven, load size, with certain tiers based on the type of cargo? Are they pretty quick about payment or does it come a month or two afterwards?
Most drivers are paid on a mileage basis, there are drivers paid on a percentage basis and yes the pay varies according to what you are hauling. Oversize, haz mat, tanker are a few types of freight that generally pay more. Extra pay for detention and layover for loads cancelling are added on at times. Generally you are paid within two weeks, depends on who you are driving for. I get paid 90% of the load and I get paid within 72 hours of delivery. I own my own truck, find, negotiate and book all of my loads, I then pay my wife and she lets me have a little pocket money.
I use load boards daily and I agree with you, it has become harder money. What type of trucking are you looking into and where are you based out of
One of the more unexpectedly educational threads in a while. I don't know why, but this is fascination to me. Rep to the OP.
