Comments for Jim The Trucker http://www.jimthetrucker.com No Chains, No Gains Sun, 05 Sep 2010 19:06:39 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Comment on Trucking Life by Jim http://www.jimthetrucker.com/trucking-life/comment-page-1/#comment-119226 Jim Sat, 04 Sep 2010 18:07:45 +0000 http://www.jimthetrucker.com/?page_id=10#comment-119226 @Dan There are a lot of folks who go otr with the intentions of getting that dedicated or local run that will allow them to have a life. I have been known to run my 11 hours straight through without much more than a very short bathroom stop. The key is to build good safety habits from the start, find a really good truck driving school like Sage and go from there. Most companies that hire need that one year over the road or OTR to get in on the ground floor. Have and strive for a perfect safety record and you will be able to write your own ticket. I always have the safety record part in my mind daily as I drive. I was almost hit head-on coming home from a run to North Dakota and was heading for the ditch when this guy finally pulled out. It only took a micro second for me to react, steer away from this guy and hope I didn't roll the truck. I was able to stay on the pavement, but it scared the crap out of me. Always be vigilant and watch out for people who may be drunk or texting. I have almost hit several people using cell phones and pulling out in front of me. Not trying to scare anybody, just being realistic about the downgrade of quality in general public drivers these days. The courtesy is mostly gone and they only think of themselves. I would say this profession still has a lot to offer. You can get a good start with trucking. I was just about your age when I started out. Good luck to you and stay safe, watch out for boneheads! Jim @Dan
There are a lot of folks who go otr with the intentions of getting that dedicated or local run that will allow them to have a life.
I have been known to run my 11 hours straight through without much more than a very short bathroom stop.
The key is to build good safety habits from the start, find a really good truck driving school like Sage and go from there.
Most companies that hire need that one year over the road or OTR to get in on the ground floor.
Have and strive for a perfect safety record and you will be able to write your own ticket.
I always have the safety record part in my mind daily as I drive.
I was almost hit head-on coming home from a run to North Dakota and was heading for the ditch when this guy finally pulled out. It only took a micro second for me to react, steer away from this guy and hope I didn’t roll the truck. I was able to stay on the pavement, but it scared the crap out of me. Always be vigilant and watch out for people who may be drunk or texting. I have almost hit several people using cell phones and pulling out in front of me. Not trying to scare anybody, just being realistic about the downgrade of quality in general public drivers these days. The courtesy is mostly gone and they only think of themselves.

I would say this profession still has a lot to offer. You can get a good start with trucking. I was just about your age when I started out. Good luck to you and stay safe, watch out for boneheads!

Jim

]]> Comment on Tax laws for Truck Drivers – how to claim income with a 1099? by pitsy43 http://www.jimthetrucker.com/tax-laws-for-truck-drivers-how-to-claim-income-with-a-1099/comment-page-1/#comment-119155 pitsy43 Sat, 04 Sep 2010 04:40:07 +0000 http://www.jimthetrucker.com/5866/tax-laws-for-truck-drivers-how-to-claim-income-with-a-1099/#comment-119155 I'm sorry people answered your question incorrectly. I hope you found out otherwise before you filed. Yes, you can claim your household expenses even interest on mortgage, property taxes, and utilities IF he has an at home office. Most drivers spend hours doing paperwork, logs, loadsheets, at home. Applications such as turbo tax will ask you for the square footage of the entire home and then the square footage of the space/office used. The exact numbers aren't really important; it's more about the percentage. Guesstimate by how many floors you have. If you have two floors and half of 1 floor is used as office space, then that is about 25%. You are then able to deduct for the business 25% of household bills. I’m sorry people answered your question incorrectly. I hope you found out otherwise before you filed.

Yes, you can claim your household expenses even interest on mortgage, property taxes, and utilities IF he has an at home office. Most drivers spend hours doing paperwork, logs, loadsheets, at home. Applications such as turbo tax will ask you for the square footage of the entire home and then the square footage of the space/office used. The exact numbers aren’t really important; it’s more about the percentage. Guesstimate by how many floors you have. If you have two floors and half of 1 floor is used as office space, then that is about 25%. You are then able to deduct for the business 25% of household bills.

]]> Comment on How can I get my car shipped from California to Texas (it’s filled with all my belongings)?!?!? by Rick http://www.jimthetrucker.com/how-can-i-get-my-car-shipped-from-california-to-texas-its-filled-with-all-my-belongings/comment-page-1/#comment-119095 Rick Fri, 03 Sep 2010 04:21:34 +0000 http://www.jimthetrucker.com/13869/how-can-i-get-my-car-shipped-from-california-to-texas-its-filled-with-all-my-belongings/#comment-119095 I will drive it for you and fly back, need to be in San Antonio on 9/15...email me at rickkingsbury@comcast.net I will drive it for you and fly back, need to be in San Antonio on 9/15…email me at rickkingsbury@comcast.net

]]> Comment on This is a question about the 88M Truck Driver Army MOS? by CPTCrunch http://www.jimthetrucker.com/this-is-a-question-about-the-88m-truck-driver-army-mos/comment-page-1/#comment-119008 CPTCrunch Thu, 02 Sep 2010 01:55:36 +0000 http://www.jimthetrucker.com/12828/this-is-a-question-about-the-88m-truck-driver-army-mos/#comment-119008 Interesting idea, but I concur with what the others have already stated. 88M is not a fun job. Im a company commander in a BSB (Brigade Support Battalion) and we have lots of 88Ms, not many appear to be happy. In garrison you dont do a lot, go to the motorpool, work on your vehicles, get licensed on heavy trucks and forklifts, maybe drop off parts on order to other units in your brigade. While deployed you will ride the dangerous roads of Afghanistan where you risk getting maimed or killed by roadside bombs... all to deliver food, water, supplies, or parts to remove FOBs and CPs. There are lots of other jobs, i.e. signal (computers, networks, radios), medics, military intelligence (MI)... even MPs (military police) that allow both men and women. Definately be MARRIED, not dating, and enroll in the MACP (married Army Couples Program) which helps in gettin the same duty station. That does NOT mean you will go to the same unit, or even be on the same deployment cycle... imagine being off cycle - one spouse deploys while the other is in garrison, then the other deploys just as the first is redeploying... it happens. Finally, the Army DISCOURAGES married couples to be in the same battalion, let alone same company. So as already stated, you will not be TCing your spouse. More than likely you will not see your spouse at work except in passing, as this will promote a conflict of interest or favoritism, etc, which is frowned upon in the Army. Interesting idea, but I concur with what the others have already stated. 88M is not a fun job. Im a company commander in a BSB (Brigade Support Battalion) and we have lots of 88Ms, not many appear to be happy. In garrison you dont do a lot, go to the motorpool, work on your vehicles, get licensed on heavy trucks and forklifts, maybe drop off parts on order to other units in your brigade. While deployed you will ride the dangerous roads of Afghanistan where you risk getting maimed or killed by roadside bombs… all to deliver food, water, supplies, or parts to remove FOBs and CPs. There are lots of other jobs, i.e. signal (computers, networks, radios), medics, military intelligence (MI)… even MPs (military police) that allow both men and women. Definately be MARRIED, not dating, and enroll in the MACP (married Army Couples Program) which helps in gettin the same duty station. That does NOT mean you will go to the same unit, or even be on the same deployment cycle… imagine being off cycle – one spouse deploys while the other is in garrison, then the other deploys just as the first is redeploying… it happens. Finally, the Army DISCOURAGES married couples to be in the same battalion, let alone same company. So as already stated, you will not be TCing your spouse. More than likely you will not see your spouse at work except in passing, as this will promote a conflict of interest or favoritism, etc, which is frowned upon in the Army.

]]> Comment on Applying for Navy Officer Candidate School (OCS). Would I qualify? by Sting http://www.jimthetrucker.com/applying-for-navy-officer-candidate-school-ocs-would-i-qualify/comment-page-1/#comment-118963 Sting Tue, 31 Aug 2010 22:33:07 +0000 http://www.jimthetrucker.com/48376/applying-for-navy-officer-candidate-school-ocs-would-i-qualify/#comment-118963 I flew in the USN for 23 years. I studied Mech Engineering, had the exact same GPA, scored well on the AFQT and ASTB (very well on ASTB) and was accepted to AOCS, got commissioned, selected jets in flight training, got F/A-18, went to USNTPS, etc. OBTW, the average GPA comes from all majors. I think a lower GPA in engineering will be given some credit even compared to a 4.0 in Music, Business Administration, or Physical Ed. If you are interested, take the tests and apply. The services will let you know if you qualify or not. You never know what will happen! I flew in the USN for 23 years. I studied Mech Engineering, had the exact same GPA, scored well on the AFQT and ASTB (very well on ASTB) and was accepted to AOCS, got commissioned, selected jets in flight training, got F/A-18, went to USNTPS, etc. OBTW, the average GPA comes from all majors. I think a lower GPA in engineering will be given some credit even compared to a 4.0 in Music, Business Administration, or Physical Ed.

If you are interested, take the tests and apply. The services will let you know if you qualify or not. You never know what will happen!

]]> Comment on Trucking Life by Dan http://www.jimthetrucker.com/trucking-life/comment-page-1/#comment-118946 Dan Tue, 31 Aug 2010 11:55:21 +0000 http://www.jimthetrucker.com/?page_id=10#comment-118946 Hey Jim, I\'ve been flirting with the idea of driving a truck for a year or two now. I enjoy driving 14 hours (straight) to VA Beach a few times a year this past year. See as I enjoyed that and could stay awake just fine, I figured I could drive OTR if I tried. I\'m 23 and just looking for a good profession to earn better money than the security job I\'m at now. Do you think OTR is good for someone to get into if they intend on doing local within 6 months to a year after they start? Looking to get broken in and saving some money at the same time. Thanks, Dan Hey Jim,

I\’ve been flirting with the idea of driving a truck for a year or two now. I enjoy driving 14 hours (straight) to VA Beach a few times a year this past year. See as I enjoyed that and could stay awake just fine, I figured I could drive OTR if I tried. I\’m 23 and just looking for a good profession to earn better money than the security job I\’m at now. Do you think OTR is good for someone to get into if they intend on doing local within 6 months to a year after they start? Looking to get broken in and saving some money at the same time.

Thanks,

Dan

]]> Comment on how to become owner operator truck driver for u.s. postal service? by jack neal http://www.jimthetrucker.com/how-to-become-owner-operator-truck-driver-for-u-s-postal-service/comment-page-1/#comment-118831 jack neal Sun, 29 Aug 2010 00:46:11 +0000 http://www.jimthetrucker.com/8871/how-to-become-owner-operator-truck-driver-for-u-s-postal-service/#comment-118831 Hi, Jim, I,m Jack and I\'m trying togather information on how to get Postal contracts on hauling mail as a Ower Opertor. I been driving for a company that only hires, (Driver for Hire) Temps and I been doing this for five years now and I have not had a raise in that time. So, now I want to get my own Rigg or Two, can you give me some advice on how to get started in the business with the Postal Service. I just want better for myself and my family. I\'m praying that a door will open soon for me some where and some how. Any advice is good advice and I do appreicate any advice you can give me . I Thank you and God Bless you and yours. Jack Hi, Jim, I,m Jack and I\’m trying togather information on how to get Postal contracts on hauling mail as a Ower Opertor. I been driving for a company that only hires, (Driver for Hire) Temps and I been doing this for five years now and I have not had a raise in that time. So, now I want to get my own Rigg or Two, can you give me some advice on how to get started in the business with the Postal Service. I just want better for myself and my family. I\’m praying that a door will open soon for me some where and some how. Any advice is good advice and I do appreicate any advice you can give me . I Thank you and God Bless you and yours. Jack

]]> Comment on Trucking Life by Jim http://www.jimthetrucker.com/trucking-life/comment-page-1/#comment-117209 Jim Thu, 22 Jul 2010 17:50:57 +0000 http://www.jimthetrucker.com/?page_id=10#comment-117209 @DBlcock: Sorry it took so long, I would say using the info I give in my site here, find the one company that has good equipment and a package that you can live with. TMC and Maverick have clean trucks. Not sure on the other. @charles: I am 51 now. I am still pulling flatbed and am doing better with freight rates climbing again slowly back to pre-crash levels. I am seeing a better income for less miles. I have trained a lot of guys to drive, Many were changing their employment and going OTR for a life experience. @DBlcock: Sorry it took so long, I would say using the info I give in my site here, find the one company that has good equipment and a package that you can live with. TMC and Maverick have clean trucks. Not sure on the other.

@charles: I am 51 now. I am still pulling flatbed and am doing better with freight rates climbing again slowly back to pre-crash levels. I am seeing a better income for less miles. I have trained a lot of guys to drive, Many were changing their employment and going OTR for a life experience.

]]> Comment on whats the best trucking company for a new driver 21 years of age, looking for the best pay and low turnover? by Passingtrucker http://www.jimthetrucker.com/whats-the-best-trucking-company-for-a-new-driver-21-years-of-age-looking-for-the-best-pay-and-low-turnover/comment-page-1/#comment-117189 Passingtrucker Wed, 21 Jul 2010 21:37:48 +0000 http://www.jimthetrucker.com/38056/whats-the-best-trucking-company-for-a-new-driver-21-years-of-age-looking-for-the-best-pay-and-low-turnover/#comment-117189 As a rookie driver, you shouldn't expect much $$ because you're a liability risk from an insurance company's perspective. A significant number of truck accidents are committed by rookie drivers with less than 1 year of driving experience. However, your chances of making a mistake that results in a chargeable accident will also depend on the quality of your driver trainer. I use to be a driver trainer, and none of my rookie drivers were involved in a chargeable accident in the 1st year after I certified them as being ready for solo driving. Reading the number of truck accidents over the internet, I would conclude most of them were the product of incompetent trainers. An old Oriental adage; "there's no such thing as bad students, only bad teachers." Thus, incompetent driver trainers will produce incompetent solo drivers. OTR trucking is only to establish verifiable SAFE driving experience. When you're ready for the BIG-$$$, you find yourself a local, hourly paid driving position. As a local driver, you earn overtime pay over 8 hours, and double time in some states when you exceed 12 hours in a shift. "Overtime" is the keyword; I've heard of dissatisfied drivers who went back to OTR driving because they could only get 10 hours (or less) overtime a week. In most cities with one million+ population, factoring traffic and delays at the receiver, you'll do at least 60 hours per week. So you earn more $$ and come home every night. But most local hourly positions require at least 2 years verifiable driving experience with no chargeable accidents. Besides accidents, hourly-paying employers are also discouraged by drivers with job-hopping history. No matter how bad or low $$$ an OTR company is, I strongly advice against quitting after less than one year. An average of less than 1 year between employers can mean you're "not sure of what you want in life," so you simply quit and go on to another job. An hourly paying local job will require a trainer for the first 2 or 3 days to accompany you. This trainer represents added overhead cost to the company, so if you quit a few months later because you're "not sure of what you want in life," the company will need to spend more $$ in hiring, interviewing, & training a new driver to replace you. This is why a job-hopping history is a "red flag" to local hourly-paying companies. These OTR companies are lying when they say "driver shortage," when it's really a driver "turnover" problem. So if they lie to you by claiming "driver shortage," what other "lies" are they telling you during driver orientation ?? As a rookie driver, you shouldn’t expect much $$ because you’re a liability risk from an insurance company’s perspective. A significant number of truck accidents are committed by rookie drivers with less than 1 year of driving experience. However, your chances of making a mistake that results in a chargeable accident will also depend on the quality of your driver trainer. I use to be a driver trainer, and none of my rookie drivers were involved in a chargeable accident in the 1st year after I certified them as being ready for solo driving. Reading the number of truck accidents over the internet, I would conclude most of them were the product of incompetent trainers. An old Oriental adage; “there’s no such thing as bad students, only bad teachers.” Thus, incompetent driver trainers will produce incompetent solo drivers. OTR trucking is only to establish verifiable SAFE driving experience. When you’re ready for the BIG-$$$, you find yourself a local, hourly paid driving position. As a local driver, you earn overtime pay over 8 hours, and double time in some states when you exceed 12 hours in a shift. “Overtime” is the keyword; I’ve heard of dissatisfied drivers who went back to OTR driving because they could only get 10 hours (or less) overtime a week. In most cities with one million+ population, factoring traffic and delays at the receiver, you’ll do at least 60 hours per week. So you earn more $$ and come home every night. But most local hourly positions require at least 2 years verifiable driving experience with no
chargeable accidents. Besides accidents, hourly-paying employers are also discouraged by drivers with job-hopping history. No matter how bad or low $$$ an OTR company is, I strongly advice against quitting after less than one year. An average of less than 1 year between employers can mean you’re “not sure of what you want in life,” so you simply quit and go on to another job. An hourly paying local job will require a trainer for the first 2 or 3 days to accompany you. This trainer represents added overhead cost to the company, so if you quit a few months later because you’re “not sure of what you want in life,” the company will need to spend more $$ in hiring, interviewing, & training a new driver to replace you. This is why a job-hopping history is a “red flag” to local hourly-paying companies. These OTR companies are lying when they say “driver shortage,” when it’s really a driver “turnover” problem. So if they lie to you by claiming “driver shortage,” what other “lies” are they telling you during driver orientation ??

]]> Comment on Where can I find cargo/trucking services from manila to maasin city,so.leyte phils.? by Haghedooren Patrick http://www.jimthetrucker.com/where-can-i-find-cargotrucking-services-from-manila-to-maasin-cityso-leyte-phils/comment-page-1/#comment-116879 Haghedooren Patrick Thu, 15 Jul 2010 06:23:35 +0000 http://www.jimthetrucker.com/6714/where-can-i-find-cargotrucking-services-from-manila-to-maasin-cityso-leyte-phils/#comment-116879 I am looking for transportation off a 40FT from Manilla to Sothern Leyte donation goods. What is cheaper by boat or by land Greetings Patrick I am looking for transportation off a 40FT from Manilla to Sothern Leyte donation goods.
What is cheaper by boat or by land
Greetings
Patrick

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