Question:
Way back in truck school (it seems like decades ago now) one of our instructors used to say, "protect your CDL". Everyone said yea, sure, whatever, of course. But it wasn't until later that I began to understand what he was really talking about.
More than anything else, what comes back on your licence check will determine your earning potential after you've been driving commercial vehicles a while.
Insurance costs are skyrocketing. Even self-insured trucking companies are paying larger settlements and losing bigger court cases, as the industry's experience level continues to shrink with ever increasing turnover. Their only recourse is to more aggressively discriminate against risky drivers - the ones with problematic driving records. This is legal discrimination of course, as long as all candidates are rated the same.
Get a couple tickets or a minor accident or two on your record (dented bumper or bent wing) and you've just screwed yourself out of most better paying jobs.
Wal-Mart, for example, still offers one of the best driving wage/benefit packages in the industry. And they won't even look at you if you're record isn't squeaky clean -- think it's at least three years with NOTHING, not one ticket no matter how minor, and anything prior to the last three years could disqualify you too. This is typical with most large carriers that pay better than newbie wages. They pay more because they don't have to spend as much on accident costs.
But here's the racket: The newbie companies (Swift, Werner, Schneidr, etc) certainly don't want you to run-up a bunch of tickets, since it could disqualify you to drive for them.
But they don't mind if you get a minor ticket every year or two since it prevents you from leaving them for a better paying job. Their safety programs don't emphasize keeping a "perfect" driving record. After all, loads have to deliver on time and stuff happens and no one's perfect and that's trucking and everyone gets a ticket now and then.....blah..blah.."
Bull.
There are many new drivers who work very hard to keep a perfect record. No tickts. No accidents ("accidents" include even the most minor damage or claim the company/insurance has to pay including broken marker lights and scratched paint).
If you ran a premium trucking company comitted to rock-bottom acident costs, who would you hire? You'd hire the driver who's already demonstrated the ability to meet your standards.
Is running 4 minutes faster each hour worth losing the extra $20,000 per year you might be able to make somewhere else if you'd maintained a perfect record?
Don't speed. "Get out and look". Protect your CDL.
[This message was edited by Shuffler on August 09, 2003 at 22:43.]

Answer:
Did that take alot of thought, hahaha
Are you enjoying happy hour?
Good points though.
"Caution: Door May Open"

Answer:
I know, I know...
But it's amazing how many folks don't realize how critical this is, as if their winning smile, attitude or salesmanship can overcome a speeding ticket.
Your first job is the EASIEST one to get. After that, everything's measured on what you've done since.

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So are you saying you've never left Werner because you've never been able to, because you keep having the occasional speeding ticket or accident?

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That's what it sounds like, doesn't it? But no, I've maintained a "perfect" record in all categories. I just can't find a better job that's worth giving up the things I like about Werner, that pays more than I'm making right now and gives me 6 days off a month. But I'm still looking.....
I'd maintain the best record I could anyway, it's just the way I've always been. If you're going to do something, do it right....right?

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Keeping my record clean, aside from the accident I had when I was 16. Shuffler how is Werner with being a company to sign with as a newbie. I really can get by on $1500 a month net, so. I am considering them sense they hire 21 y/o's?
Hey, if life throws you a curve ball, try and take a swing at it. Who knows what might happen

Answer:
You could do worse than Werner. At least they're relatively honest and succssful, and run very new tractors...
You'll make at least 30k your first year after you've completed orientation and training and are assigned a truck. Allow 2 months before you actually get your own truck and start getting paid as a driver (versus a trainee).
Just be aware: Werner's high-tech approach gets pretty tricky sometimes. It takes a while to learn all the ins and outs of their massive computer system, paperless logs, etc... Good companys for "thinking" drivers (pardon the obvious sarcaism) and those willing to get into Werner's "way" of doing things.
I'd strongly recommend flatbed, if that interests you. Dry van and refer are just rat-races to nowhere (in my opinion) no matter which company you work for. Flatbed at least gets you closer to a specializd skill you can springboard from if you really get into it and want to do something more challenging in the future, like oversize, etc.
Got to go....check out of this motel and run down to L.Al Wil be back on line when I get home Thursday.

Answer:
I would have to say that having driven for Werner, they are no less strict on accidents than most other companies. Here is their way of thinking, from what I saw:
If you damage something that belongs to someone else, for example a car, something at a dock, a door, etc., expect to be routed to a terminal for anything from probation to termination. If you are terminated, you park the truck and go home at your expense. If you are on probation, you better be squeaky clean until it's over, even the most minor incident can get you fired, and probation may last for six months.
If you completely wreck a truck or get a reckless driving or anything stupid such as alcohol or drugs, expect to be fired by Werner or any other company for that matter.
If you do a little bit of damage to your truck and nothing else, you may get away with it if it is extremely minor, goes under "wear and tear." If you dent or damage something like a mirror or a faring, expect a short probation or just a slap on the wrist and be more careful next time. But if you make it a habit, you'll be without a job.
Werner is choosy with new hires to the industry. They want a very clean record with no reckless driving, at-fault accidents, felonies, or DUI's within the last 7 years. If you have a chargeable accident with a DUI, it may disqualify you no matter how long ago. But be honest with the recruiter, even if you were only 16 and that was less than seven years ago. Expect that anything you say or write on an application is subject to verification. Any driver under 25 years of age is considered by insurance companies to be "high-risk", so I guarantee if you are only 21 years of age, they will check back to when you were 16.
A final word on safety. Be the best and safest driver you can be. Your license and driving record are your livelihood in trucking. Screw them up, and you are not just out of a job, you are without a way to earn an income. No load is worth speeding for or running illegally. And I will guarantee, if you become a truck driver, no matter what company you go with, you will be pressured into doing something to get a load delivered at the expense of safety. Stand your ground. If they give you a hard time, find another company. With a safe record, at least you can do that.

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here here i agree with you whole heartedly speeding is stupid the gains in time are minimal and good time managment will keep you from having the "need to speed" .
i was in chicago this week and im driving the required speed limit ,55 for trucks ,and its four lanes and im in the next to the far right lane and these guys are mad at me for driving the speed limit . its funny how the same guy that cussed me a few minuites ago and then passed me are at the same truck stop im going to for fuel 35 miles down the road and the only difference is they are putting up the pump handle after i just start pumping mine . even better i got pre pass in my truck and they have to stop in the scales and i just drive on by or have to let them in after they are coming back on the road all for what ,more stress of risking life and property for 5-10mph ,i dont think so especially in road construction i dont speed in fact some times if i feel that the posted is just a little to fast for that narrow lane i slow it down by five construction is just usually five miles long or less why take a chance right.my loads are always on time or they are early .
my driving record has been clean for almost eight years now and i intend on keeping it that way!
Kevin