Riverman's Spankin' New RoadBlog

Never take your truck ice-fishing in November!

Hello and once again, Happy Turkey Day- especially to those of you who may be far from home tonight.

Thanks for the input from my last entry and I always welcome input and advice from the pros out there. VM- did you think the truck in the photo in my last entry brought to mind a 'Steer Wide-I Flunked Training' truck? Or (to anyone) could this be the elusive guy who is known to attempt hatching Schneider Eggs by sitting on them late at night on deserted stretches of the Interstate? If it is, I almost don't blame him...

Today I spent a lot of time digesting- both Turkey and information. There are a lot of very interesting forums and message boards out there where drivers can debate the merits or lack thereof of working for particular companies. After reading many of these posts I have realized a couple things.

Some people who post negative stories on these forums clearly would have bad experiences no matter where they worked. "I hated the way they treated me, so I abandoned their truck at a Pilot and hitched a ride home.." or "Why did they fire me... aside from the fact that I tested positive on a drug test AND an old... but still valid... felony arrest warrent came to their attention..." and so on. But there were some very interesting stories which shed some light on driver retention issues, scams to keep recruiting numbers high, and so on. Some companies really seem to have bad reputations- SWIFT being up on top of that pile... But I'm sure SWIFT has many excellent drivers who are very satisfied working there- I'm just reporting an observation. (I know someone in particular who might have something to say about this!:))

I bring this up because I am working on a short list of companies I want to apply to. I am not a complainer by nature- I play nice with others- but I won't be cheated if I can help it. I just want to get trained well, work my butt off, keep my nose clean, and stay under the radar at the very least but excel and become a well-respected and decent high-mileage driver, eventually. To those ends, I have no problem asking for help from the pros- which is one reason why I started this blog. I want to learn from the best source- real drivers. VERY grateful for the feedback so far! The other reason is to perhaps help others interested in becoming drivers in their quest.

I would be interested in hearing about Companies who offer driver training programs- in particular, Roehl, Werner, Schneider, England, and CFI. That, as of tonight, is my 'short list'. But ANY company you have 'the goods' on, please share! Also, if anyone can suggest a website or two that has some good, real-life, no holds barred tales of life on the road, I'd love to know about them, and so would lots of us!

Stay cool ~ R

Category: General

My goal is to not end up where this guy works.

Well, I am back to the blog. I have been feeling much better healthwise, so I have had a lot of business to take care of. It's been one thing after another- but the good thing is that I am making forward progress and I am hopeful about getting into a good training program ASAP. In my spare time I have even been gassing up my car and driving around for hours on end- I have been bitten by the Road-Bug and have come down with a serious case of the Wanders!

I bought a general purpose CDL-A study manual from a huge bookstore here in Buffalo, then I went to the local New York DMV office for an official New York Manual. New York seems different in some ways- did you know there is a seperate license certification for Steel Coils here? I didn't know that. But I do remember some really horrific accidents which happened in Buffalo when Steel Coils got loose from flatbeds. Anyway. I also got a regular driving manual to brush up on the general rules-o-the-road, and even a motorcycle book, because I want to do that someday too. I got a driver's Abstract- I am proud to say I have a SPOTLESS record! Any other background check will reveal that I am also a model citizen and a very good boy:) So I have been reading and reading. Also I have downloaded a few documents concerning the FMCSR's and other rules and regs. It is easy, on the internet, to get sidetracked,too- I have been reading a lot about current debates concerning truckers and things like the HOS rules and other items. I have really been doing a lot of research, and what an education I've been getting. I Strongly recommend all Newbies educate themselves as much as possible.

I have also tied this all in with VM's idea that I should keep my eyes open... I have learned a lot that could be discouraging, if I let it do that to me. For example, I've learned a lot about how drivers will sometimes fudge their log books so that they effectively end up giving away a lot of their time to their employers (who may wink and turn a blind eye) at the loading docks and elsewhere... Drivers really get screwed! I have a newfound respect for the drivers out there who continue to bring us the 'goods' while working under conditions that exist in NO other industry! However, I think our minds are very powerful tools, and that we can all prosper even under adverse condiitions provided we have the right attitude. (BTW- I am NOT accusing ANYONE of having a bad attitude!) So that's what I'm going for- a positive attitude and the knowledge that I am ultimately responsible for my own success or lack of it. I know, easier said than done.... I will be the first to admit I don't know sh*t about the realities of life on the road!

So how about it, pros? What are some of the biggest things to watch out for out there? How will the companies and Shippers/Receivers try to screw us newbies when we get out there? What would you do over or do better if you could start over? Let me and other newbies have it right between the eyes!

Thanks in advance- I have a feeling this will be interesting! ~R

Category: General

(I hate the term Newbie... but oh well.)

Having already decided that driving was something I want to do for the long term, I have been doing some research and planning my next steps. I have learned a lot and would like to pass some of what I've learned along to others who may be interested in starting a new career as a driver. Pros, by all means, please chime in and correct me if I have made any errors or left anything out.


First of all, I think you really have to be sure this is what you want to do. It's a big step and not a decision to be made without some thought. Like everything in life, better planning results in a better experience. We are fortunate to have the internet, where almost anything you want to know can be found- if you know how to look for it. It's as simple as "Googling". Try "truck driving blogs", "trucking jobs", or just "trucking for beginners"... you'll find a lot of sites, and those sites usually have a "Links" page... so just follow the links, and so on and so on, and that will keep you busy for a long time! I will give you some good links, too, at the end. (I know that was pretty basic, but I want to cover anyone who might be new to the internet.)

So, a good first step is, find out what it's really like to be a driver. One good way is to read the drivers blogs on this site, and others. I have read some really good accounts of life on the road here and elsewhere. And talk with a driver or two, every one I've met has been real helpful. It has been a revelation, too. I have come to realize it isn't as easy as sitting behind the wheel, grabbing a gear, and heading out down the Interstate. There is a lot of waiting, loading and unloading challenges (depending on what type of trucking you do), dealing with bad drivers, bad dispatchers, bad weather, keeping up with rules and regs, being away from home for long periods of time, breakdowns, and more. Of course, there are good things, too- getting to travel and see our great country, meeting great people, not having a boss breathing down your neck, no time clock, job security, and possibly even decent money.

The important thing is- whether it's this or anything else in life you do- be HONEST with yourself. It's easy for us to lie to ourselves in life- better to keep it real. Once you get a feel for 'the life', ask yourself, 'Can I really do this and be happy and successful?' More importantly- 'Can I be safe?' If you are a bad driver, innattentive, sloppy, easily distracted or angered, not co-ordinated, irresponsible, or prone to modifying your consciousness with drugs or alcohol, the truth is neither I nor your family nor anyone else wants you on the road behind the wheel of an 80,000 lb rig with us. Self-control has a bearing on controlling a truck or anything else. It's a good quality to cultivate.

So, for now, the point I am making is, Step One should be making an informed decision on whether trucking is something you really want to do. Be honest about your abilities, or lack thereof. Do some serious research- it'll pay off. Next time I will go into some details about my own research. I am learning a lot, and I would like to share. I have a long way to go, to be sure, but life is a journey and not the destination, right?

Thanks to the person who said I would make a good journalist- I'm flattered, but I'm too honest to work in the press! :) I would be happy as a blogging trucker- that would be just fine. I will check out the link you gave me, too.

More links for those thinking about a trucking career:

http://www.newbiedriver.com/index.htm -TONS of good info, and excellent place to start!

http://www.angelandcroc.com/ -Check out his Driver's Diary and Dash Cam, pretty cool site.

http://drivndad.tripod.com/links.html -Many good links.

http://www.truckschoolsusa.com/ -Good list of schhols.

There are many more, of course, and I will put them up as I go along. I encourage your comments, but please don't flame me unless I deserve it!

Till later, ~R~

Category: General

Hello there~

This is Riverman from Buffalo saying hello. I could use some advice from the Pros out there. Any words of wisdom will definitely be appreciated by this 'Greenie'!

At age 36 I have decided to become an OTR driver. I feel I am very qualified despite my lack of experience in driving heavy trucks. That is, I think I have the Raw Materials to make it. But before I really start speaking with recruiters, I have a couple of issues which concern me:

1) About 5 1/2 years ago I was involved in a traffic accident that was ruled to be 100% the other person's fault. A 16 year old from out of town out with her friends after curfew thought she had a 4-way stop and pulled out suddenly in front of me. I'm happy to say there were no major injuries.(However, my black T-bird was totalled...waah!) That has been the only incident I've ever had as a driver and in fact I don't even think it's on my record. The 'Po-lice' took my statement and I never heard from them since.

2) About 4 years ago, I came down with a serious illness. I had a birth defect in my pancreas which basically caused chronic pancreatitis. It has caused me to be out of work and on Disability for a long time with chronic pain. Incidentally, because of this I cannot touch alcohol- one less concern! I recently had a stent placed in my pancreas and it has essentially cured my condition- I feel better than I have in years. But, obviously, since I have been out of work for so long, I am worried that the gap in my work history is an obstruction to my being considered for employment at the major trucking companies. Before I got sick, I was a lab technician at a food plant, a job I had for almost 3 years. It was a demanding, high-pressure, and high-responsibility job and I did very well. I could, in fact, go back to that, but I really want a change, and have always loved to travel, and feel stifled by a rigid routine. Besides, I have always secretly wanted to drive a truck!

3) While I was distracted with my recent surgery and an episode of pain prior to that, my insurance company cancelled my auto insurance on me without my knowledge. What happened was I authorized them to automatically deduct the montly payment from my checking account, but for some reason they neglected to do this. Unfortunately, my license was suspended as a result of this. I didn't get the notice of this until after the fact, because I recently changed my address. Things were a little topsy turvey over the summer for me, but thankfully things have settled down. The license has been fully restored, by the way. I have no moving violations.

From what research I've done so far, I get the impression that some people come to potential trucking employers with far bigger issues than mine. I'm hoping that the issues I raised are not enough to automatically disqualify me from working for a good company. My question is- do they? Any thoughts on which companies are the best to approach? I would really like to work for a high-quality company, and I feel I would be a very valuable employee. I am leaning towards long-distance dry-van work. It is important that they pay for my CDL training- I can't afford it on my own. I am NOT an ex-felon, a substance abuser, or otherwise have any legal issues- I am, have been, and always will be a productive, law abiding member of society. I have no family dependants or obligations, and am highly responsible, alert, intelligent, and stable. I am clean-cut, presentable, ethical, honest, a competant and capable driver, and would make a good representative of any company. Plus, I have already made the decision to start a new life as a driver, so I don't have to be 'sold' on the idea. I have a deep respect for professional drivers and I aspire to be a knowledgeable and competant professional myself. I would relocate for the right company. Also, for what it's worth I have made many long-distance trips by car back and forth from Florida to New York, and other trips, on my own, to visit relatives. So, I am not unfamiliar with driving long hours and many miles, if only in a car. Finally, I happen have a lot of experience with various trailers attached to pickups or cars- I can honestly say I am pretty good at backing into tight spots with a small trailer. I know it doesn't compare, but it's gotta be worth something...:)

Now you have the Good, the Bad, and the Ugly...Still awake? I know that was long, but if you have made it this far and have any words of wisdom, I would be grateful for any advice. I will keep the blog up, too, to document my adventures as a wannabe, then a trainee, then a "FNG", and... you get the idea.

~Best, Riverman~

Category: General