u/rytram99

Yesterday I decided to eat at a Denny's at the local Flying J. For some reason I ordered the ultimate omelet with a side of pancakes. I don't normally eat in the morning so I didn't actually eat most of my omelet, but I did eat the pancakes. So, I decided to box my leftovers even though i likely wouldn't eat them.

I went outside to smoke a cigarette and I saw a dog roaming around a vehicle. Thinking it was lost I attempted to call it over but it wouldn't and kept trying to look inside the vehicle. Slightly concerned I decided to walk over to inspect the vehicle when I saw all the windows were down. So I approached hoping there wouldn't be anyone dead inside or something and when I got next to it I saw a a girl who looked to be in her 20s sleeping and it was clear that she was homeless. There was also a kennel in front of the vehicle

So not to wake her and assuming that it may have been some time since the pup was last fed I decided to leave my leftover omelet for the dog to eat. Which it wasted no time in doing so. And then I want back to smoking my cigarette.

Well, I didn't feel quite right with the situation. I didn't want to tell the store staff that a homeless girl was sleeping in their lot because they would just wake her up and tell her to leave. That and I don't know what her circumstances are and what lead her to this now. I then decided the best thing I could do was to just show some kindness. I dont know how long it has been since she last ate either and I did just give all my leftovers to her dog.

So I got my wallet out and grabbed all the cash I had in it. If I recall correctly it was $60 in 5's and I walked back up to the car and tossed it on her passenger seat without waking her up.

I know it isn't much, but my hope is that it will get used to feed her, get a shower, and maybe some food for the pup. Of course, I can't dictate what she does with it, but I like to think she will wake up and be surprised with some random cash in her seat and just maybe feel in that one moment that maybe the world isn't always bad.

Thank you for reading and just remember, a little kindness can go a long way..

At Werner, we were told to calculate mileage at 50mph to offset speed limit changes and other minor unforseable delays. Then add 1hr for daily breaks, and then add 10hr per day if trip is longer than 1 day.

For the most part i agree. However, i myself like to give myself some comfort room. First if all, i dont intend to drive for 10-11hrs in a day because i don't want to do have 34hr resets. Secondly, a 10hr break is not enough for me. I need a cpl hrs after work and at minimum 1 hr before work to wake up. So, i take 11-12hr breaks.

All that being said, here is my formula. Let me know how you do yours as i am interested in being more effective.

I take total miles if mileage is 500< and i divide it by 500 as that is around what I'd expect to drive in a day. Then ill multiply the number of days by 12 for 10hr resets. On top of ill add 1hr per day and then an extra hr of SH (sht happens) time to get the general eta of the whole assignment or to next stop. This is a 24hr block. That is 10hrs of driving max and 14hrs of breaks and delays. I do only try to drive 8h45m if possible for perfect recaps.

So, if i get a job that is say 1600mi then it is 3 days and 2hrs from start to finish.

What i DONT like is planners setting my eta to con for me when con has strict appointment times and planners not giving me enough time or expecting me to drive 11hrs and at night just to make said appt. Buuuut sometimes it can't be helped.

This thing....i see now why they are called freight shakers. Its down right dangerous. They do not like the wheels turned too far. Like when doing a 90° back. It acts like it doesn't want to move and just rocks really hard. Not only that, but the accelerator is touchy. Under load it won't idle roll. When you slightly press the pedal it just guns it. I feel like it makes backing in harder because i have to be super careful not let that happen.

It has been a hard and depressing struggle for the last 6 months. It got to the point where I stopped applying for trucking jobs altogether because all I ever got were ejections. Thanks to Werner and their false background check they all but completely sabotaged my trucking career just so they wont have to pay unemployment.

My entire record is clean. CSP, DOT, CSA, & Clearinghouse. Everything is completely spotless. The only thing that was preventing me from getting a job was the background check. something that doesn't even affect any of the official driving records and yet Insurance companies treat it as if it did.

Thankfully, one company decided to give me an opportunity to prove myself. I'll be working for Pashcall Truck Lines. OTR 2wk out 3d home. After one month I'll make 53cpm. I know it Isn't great but the opportunity is the real value here. The stipulation is I have to drive with a mentor for 5k miles as an evaluation, which I am perfectly fine with.

It feels good to have some small purpose again because I wont lie, I've been really depressed and feeling utterly defeated these last 6mo.

When looking for opportunities this has got to be the more ridiculous rule i have ever come across. I mean, we are truckers. they make us drive all over the country, thousands of miles a week, and yet, they have a hiring zone?

If that were it then it would just be annoying. However, the last 6 months has taught me one truth. None of these companies actually look at your resume. All they see is that you have a CDL and then they call you. They always ask you the same questions every time. Answers that are provided in the resume and other profile information on whatever job board the posts exist on.

This means that before they even call me, they already have access to all the answers they need before wasting both theirs, and more importantly MY time.

Edit for clarification**
Every company i apply for has listed openings for my area or advertise OTR lanes.