Now I have made many post in various forums about how to keep ahead of the curve in the "hot Shot" business and still see so many out there making mistakes, I am guilty of this at times as well. Just thought I would throw some stuff out there for those who are thinking of getting into this business or that are in this business and still struggling to stay a float. For the most part, most drivers and small companies are never going to ever be 100% legal. It is a daunting and difficult task at best. Just ask yourself when you last were asked to take a road test and written test by an employer. Most companies do not and with so many drivers (owner-Operators) in this field that think that buying a pick up and putting some hitches on it makes them a professional, I would have to say that requiring some basic evidence that they can do the job is nothing but SMART!!! I recently hired a driver and did not follow all of my own rules. I let the driver go out with out requiring him to do our written and road test. I was mistakenly under the impression that he had more than sufficient experience and Man was I wrong. I potentially put every one of our company drivers in harms way by not following some fail safes I usually do follow. I can't afford to lose my job and letting an unqualified, under experienced driver on the highways potentially could cost more than a job, it could cost lives. Just remember, if you are new in this field, find a company that is going to train you, teach you and make you a professional, not just a joe blow out there playing super trucker.
surviving You just said a mouthfull with your statement. I get alot of newbies asking me questions all the time, how to do this or that in the hot shot industry and you can tell they have no clue which end is up. Sometimes I will answer a question or give them a hand but when they start asking about where to get loads from I don't tell them anything except to look on the internet and that is it. Alot of them don't know they need to have a CDL or insurance to be in the business, or anything about scales or dot, they don't even have a name on the trucks so you know they are illeagle, but I can't spend all my time trying to report them, I just do my job. Thanks for your statement and I hope it will do some good. HANKwaytogo
