We spoke with Pete, a CDL A yard jockey out of New York. He talked to us about what it’s like to be a yard jockey.
What are a Yard Jockey’s Responsibilities?The job goes by many names, including yard jockey, yard spotter, or yard dog, but the job description is the same. While their main ones are moving trailers around the yard and loading and unloading them, there’s a lot of other things they’re responsible for as well. They take on duties like cleaning trailers, fueling reefers, inspecting and maintaining equipment, and filling out paperwork as need be. Do Yard Jockeys Need a CDL?The short answer is no. According to federal law, since yard jockeys don’t leave the carrier’s private property, they aren’t required to hold a CDL. That’s not to say that every company will hire someone without a CDL for a yard jockey position. While yard jockeys won’t be driving a trailer down the highway, they’ll still be doing it in the yard and will need to know the basics of how to maneuver it to be successful in the role. What Do Yard Jockeys Drive on the Job?Instead of driving a cab attached to a trailer like a typical CDL driver, yard jockeys use what’s called a terminal tractor to move the trailers throughout the yard. Terminal tractors are smaller than cabs and are built specifically to maneuver trailers and hook or unhook them quickly. They even have a sliding door in the back for easy access to the trailer. This increases overall yard efficiency along with saving carriers money on gas, since terminal tractors are more fuel efficient. Aside from tractor trailers, yard jockeys use other standard warehouse equipment, including forklifts and pallet jacks.
Why Should I Be a Yard Jockey Instead of a CDL Driver?While the choice is always up to the person, there’s a number of reasons why someone would choose to be a Yard jockey. The first reason is that a CDL isn’t always necessary. It’s up to the company’s discretion at the end of the day, but there are some carriers who will hire jockeys who don’t have their CDL. This is great for people who are interested in driving as a career, but don’t have the money for CDL school at the moment or want to see the industry first-hand before they decide to go to CDL school. Some carriers will also pay the tuition for a yard jockey who expresses interest in going to CDL school, so it’s a win-win. The second reason is the set hours and predictable pay. While some may enjoy the trucker lifestyle of making their own hours and being on the road, it isn’t a life for everyone. As a yard jockey, you’ll have a set schedule, work predictable hours, get predictable pay, and be able to come home every night. Depending on the company, yard jockey can also get the same company benefits drivers do, including medical, dental, and vision insurance along with a 401K.
While yard jockeying may not pay as much as CDL driving, it’s a great position for anyone who is interested in taking their first steps into a career in trucking, or just wants to earn honest, reliable pay. Find a Truck Driver JobDrive My Way matches you with a job based on your personal preferences and qualifications. The post What to Know About Being a Yard Jockey appeared first on Drive My Way. https://ift.tt/7Zhua1U
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What’s Causing the Truck Parking Issue?Truck parking has been an issue for many years, but with the increased demand for freight and more trucks on the road than ever before, the situation is only getting worse. In short, there are just not enough safe and reliable places for drivers to stop while they’re on the road. How is it Affecting Drivers?Although the issue of truck parking affects everyone, including management and customers, it’s the drivers who feel it worst of all. They’re often faced with the decision to either stay on the road well past when they should have turned in or park somewhere unsafe and possibly illegal. Aside from that, it’s also turning into a financial issue for drivers as well. All that time spent looking for parking is time that could be spent driving, which means less miles and less money at the end of the day. The issue is becoming so large that it’s beginning to turn some drivers off from the industry altogether. What’s Being Done to Stop it?The Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act was introduced to the House of Representatives in March of 2021. If passed, the act would authorize the Department of Transportation (DOT) to disburse funding for more truck parking throughout the US highway system. Unfortunately, the house hasn’t acted on the bill, and it now sits dormant in congress. Additionally, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act initially allotted over $1 billion in funds to truck parking, but that part of the bill was dropped before it was passed. In the private sector, companies that already offer truck parking try and expand their current offerings but are often met with resistance from state and local government red tape and citizen pushback. What Can Drivers Do to Combat it?All these things unfortunately put the burden of figuring out truck parking on the drivers themselves. Drivers have been relying on parking apps like Trucker Path for the better part of 10 years to find available parking while on their route. Millions of drivers have downloaded the app and use it daily to try and find nearby parking. While it’s certainly not ideal, it’s much better than just winging it and hoping you’ll find a spot when it’s time to shut down for the night. But, as many drivers will tell you, the best thing you can do is to plan ahead for parking and get a start on it early. Just take it from Larry, a CDL A Owner Operator,
While the truck parking shortage looks to be here for a while, the good news is that it’s becoming more and more widely known outside of the trucking industry. As long as drivers, carriers, and all those affected continue to speak out against it, there’s hope that the parking shortage will become a thing of the past. Drive My Way matches you with a job based on your personal preferences and qualifications. The post What to Know About the Truck Parking Shortage appeared first on Drive My Way. https://ift.tt/7Zhua1U
New drivers, not versed in the best practices of the road, can have difficulty getting shipments delivered on time. This can lead to stress, unhappy customers, and even disciplinary action from their employer if if it keeps happening. The good news for new drivers is that time management skills will come in time. But to help jumpstart the process, here’s a couple of tips from current CDL drivers on how to manage your time effectively while on the road. 1. Avoid Unnecessary StopsThis can be the biggest problem that new drivers face. You have 14 hours total in your day, 11 to drive, three to do with as you please. While three hours seems like a ton of time for breaks and stops, ask any trucker and they’ll tell you that it adds up quickly when you factor in trying to find parking, long lines and other time drains.
The best way to combat this is to limit the stops you make for food and drinks. Try stocking up your truck on the essentials while you’re at home so you’ll have to make fewer stops while driving. Another tip is to monitor your gas as well. Instead of stopping once for food and once again for gas, get them both done in one stop. 2. Plan Your ParkingOver the past few years, there’s been more of a light shone of the lack of legal and safe parking available for truck drivers. So much so that some drivers stop driving earlier than they need to, just to guarantee they’ll have a good place to park.
While this still continues to be an issue for truckers, technology is on your side when it comes to parking. There are a number of great apps that help drivers find the closest and best parking spots, rest areas, and even weigh stations. Try and plan out where you’ll be stopping for the night by checking these apps early. Always have a plan B or C as well in case there’s no space at the first spot. 3. Try to Avoid TrafficThis tip is of course, much easier said than done. Even if you do everything right, sometimes traffic will be unavoidable. But there are a few things you can do to avoid getting caught in it.
Try and strategize your routes so that you avoid driving through busy streets or stretches of highway during peak rush hour traffic and use that time for your breaks and stops instead. Also, just like with parking, there’s a number of apps, like Waze that can help you avoid heavy traffic and plan your route.
4. Avoid Going Too HardHaving great time management skills is essential for any driver. Experienced drivers can get so savvy that they’re actually able to take a full day off their routes at certain times. But the flip side to that is knowing when too much is too much.
While optimizing your time is great, it should never come at the expense of rest. It’s essential that drivers get an adequate amount of sleep each night, for both their safety and the safety of others. It may seem like a good idea to try and get some extra miles in when you should be sleeping, but the risk is never worth it, and you may end up costing yourself more time if you end up getting into an accident because of it. If you’re a new driver worried about time management, you’re not alone. Even the most experienced drivers were rookies at some point. Just keep driving, follow these tips and you’ll be a time management expert in no time. Find a Truck Driver JobDrive My Way matches you with a job based on your personal preferences and qualifications. The post 3 Time Management Tips Shared by Truckers for Truckers appeared first on Drive My Way. https://ift.tt/rGilR7g What is a DOT Physical?A DOT Physical is a mandatory medical check-up for CDL drivers required by the FMCSA. The physical is to ensure that drivers are medically fit to operate a CMV. What Happens in a DOT Physical?A DOT Physical is very similar to any other checkup with a few added steps. The medical examiner will take your vitals, go over your medical history and check your eyes, ears and lungs. The eye test will be used to make sure you have at least 20/40 vision in both eyes. If you wear them, be sure to bring your glasses or contacts for this portion of the physical. The hearing portion is a “forced whisper test”, where the examiner will stand behind you and whisper a series of letters and numbers that you’ll need to repeat back to them. Just like with the vision test, you’ll be able to wear a hearing aid if you have one. They’ll also do a urinalysis to check for kidney disease, diabetes, and urinary tract infections. Who Can Administer a DOT Physical?A DOT Physical can be administered by any registered medical examiner and is required every 24 months at a minimum. If a driver has a condition that the medical examiner feels needs to be monitored, they could require the driver to get a physical every 12 months or whatever timeframe they feel necessary. Conditions that a doctor would want to monitor could include high blood pressure or a sleep disorder. Can I Get a DOT Physical From my Primary Doctor?Yes, if your doctor is a registered medical examiner. If not, there may be a nurse or physician’s assistant in your doctor’s office who can perform the physical. Should I Be Worried About Not Passing?Many drivers worry about not passing their DOT physical, but if you’re generally in good health, the chances of that are very low. Even drivers who have pre-existing conditions like high blood sugar and diabetes can still drive, albeit with restrictions. If you suffer from anything that would make you a safety liability while on the road, this could possibly mean failing. Extremely high blood sugar, epilepsy, psychiatric disorders, and drug/alcohol abuse are the main reasons that drivers unfortunately fail their DOT Physical. What Happens if I Don’t Pass?Drivers always have the option of going to a second examiner if they fail their first physical. But, be aware, since all medical examiners follow the same federally mandated guidelines, it’s unlikely that the outcome of the physical will change with a different doctor. How Do I Schedule One?If you’re a company driver, your carrier will most likely have this information. You can always look into it yourself by searching for medical examiners registered with the FMCSA. If you have a CVS with a Minute Clinic inside, you can most likely get your physical done there as well. Does it Cost Money?DOT Physicals do cost money. The cost can be anywhere between $50-300, depending on where you go. The good news is that most employers will pay the cost for their drivers, just make sure to talk to them about it beforehand. Do I Need to Bring Anything?Your doctor will most likely have access to all your medical records electronically, but if not, or you’ve had an operation done in the past month, you’ll need to bring the records yourself. If you’re unsure of what exactly you’ll need to bring, the best bet is to give the clinic or office where you’ll be receiving the exam a call just to make sure. If you wear contacts, glasses, or use a hearing aid when driving, you’ll need to bring those as well. Find a Truck Driver JobDrive My Way matches you with a job based on your personal preferences and qualifications. The post What to Know About DOT Physicals appeared first on Drive My Way. https://ift.tt/rGilR7g |
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