Apr 15, 2021 • Carriers

Trucker Spotlight - Tashauna Thomas

Trucker Spotlight - Tashauna Thomas

The Trucker Spotlight series explores the lives of truckers and their journey to make a difference in their industry. We interview different truck drivers to understand some life lessons that make them who they are today. We also learn more about their motivations, and the problems that they encounter on the job. We also tackle how Trucker Path’s solutions helped them with what they do. The information that they provide helps inform other people who are looking to delve into the trucking world.

Today we are putting the spotlight on Tashauna Thomas, who’s a 25-year old trucker from Brampton, Ontario, Canada. She has been driving for about 3 years, started driving locally and now doing OTR. Let’s get to know “Tashauna” and her life over the road.

What made you decide to be a trucker?

I was offered the opportunity to get my CDL while I was working in the warehouse at Coca-Cola, so that was how and why I decided to be a trucker.

In the years that you have been driving, what are the significant changes that you’ve noticed in the trucking industry?

In the short amount of time that I have been a trucker, the only major changes I’ve seen would have to be the hours of service in regards to the split sleeper berth.

What are some things you dislike about being a truck driver?

Sitting for long periods of time, hitting animals, and being stuck in bad weather conditions.

What attributes must one have in order to be a successful truck driver?

Patience and great driving skills.

What’s the most memorable experience you’ve had while over the road?

Seeing all the different types of landscapes across America and Canada.

What’s your favorite Truck Brand / Model?

Peterbilt 579.

Aside from being a trucker, any other things you dream of doing?

I wanted to be in a Missy Elliot music video like Alyson Stoner.

What’s the best truck stop for you?

Any truck stop that is clean and doesn’t have a bunch of dropped trailers in parking spots.

What was the worst breakdown or setback you’ve experienced while OTR?

The starter on my Volvo was corroded so that took a while to get fixed just because it’s a Volvo.

We’re glad that you use the Trucker Path on your day to day trucking. What features do you enjoy the most?

What I like about Trucker Path is I can see which truck stop has parking available so I can plan according for my 10 hour break.

What are some tips that you would like to share for aspiring truckers?

I say go for it if you feel you want to try it out. Nothing wrong with seeing if trucking is for you. When you do become a trucker, don’t forget to do your pre-trip!

Where can people watch your videos on Youtube?

They can view my videos on my Youtube Channel, Slimteetee.

Hope you guys enjoy!

By Aldous Aldwin

TagsTruckloads drivers Truck Truck Driver truck drivers Owner Operator Safety Trucker Path truck stops Truck driver tips Owner Operators Trucking Tips transportation Trucker Spotlight

Trucker Spotlight - Kangaroo Trucker <em>The Trucker Spotlight series explores the lives of truckers and their journey to make a difference in their industry. We interview different truck drivers to understand some life lessons that make them who they are today. We also learn more about their motivations, and the problems that they encounter on the job. We also tackle how Trucker Path's solutions helped them with what they do. The information that they provide helps inform other people who are looking to delve into the trucking world.</em> <h2></h2> <a href="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/06/Lark20200630-214612.jpeg"><img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/06/Lark20200630-214612-300x225.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="225" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-5084"></a> <h2></h2> Today we are putting the spotlight on <strong>Jim</strong>, who recently picked up a vlogging hobby on Youtube. His channel, "The Adventures of Kangaroo Trucker”, is where he shares his adventures, both good and bad, while out over the road. He recently just started driving trucks and was heavily influenced by his brothers. Let's get to know more about Jim and his adventures. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>How long have you been trucking?</strong></h3> I started my trucking career in 2019. I went to a local CDL school but wasted my money so I invested again with a large carrier and went to their school and drove OTR with them for about a year to get some experience. I left them and went with a smaller trucking firm (about 300 trucks) out of Pennsylvania. I got some good experience driving in the upper north east of U.S., but the communication with their drivers and the constant sitting and driving in the worst places caused me to look elsewhere. I was referred to a medium size company (about 1600 truck fleet). It’s a much better fit for me. I go out 4-5 weeks at a time and get home time with no problem. They send me all over lower 48 states. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What made you decide to be a trucker?</strong></h3> I got into trucking because my younger brother is a Truck Driver and my older brother, who passed in 2015, was an owner operator and owner a couple of trucks. I must have had a mid life crisis or something but I was drawn to go out to get my CDL and see what it was like to walk in his shoes. It’s been a journey. I’m glad I did it and I encourage everyone to follow their passion. It’s not just a job to me. It feeds my family, yes, but I like the daily challenges and I am amazed on how complex this logistical puzzle ever gets accomplished with the many moving parts. It is a miracle to me, at times, it all seems to work out just to get something from point A to point B. It really takes some good attitude and a great deal of patience, but working together with everyone is really what makes this whole process work. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What made you start Youtube vlogging?</strong></h3> I was hoping create videos to either entertain seasoned truckers as they watch me struggle getting my experience or for those new to trucking eager to learn from others who have made their mistakes so that all of us can learn from it. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What's the story of you becoming "Kangaroo Trucker"? Do you also have a name for your truck?</strong></h3> I own a gymnastics business in Atlanta area and have a competitive Trampoline and Tumbling team. The gyms logo is a Kangaroo so that’s why I call myself Kangaroo Trucker. <h2></h2> <a href="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/06/kt.jpeg"><img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2020/06/kt-300x156.jpeg" alt="" width="300" height="156" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-5090"></a> <h3><strong>How did Trucker Path help you in your day to day trucking?</strong></h3> I will say that early on I found the <a href="https://truckerpath.com/trucker-path-app/">Trucker Path app</a> to be a really large part of my daily arsenal to help me navigate this great country. I never realized how truckers had to constantly trip plan and we’re constantly looking for a place to shut down for their 10 hour break. TruckerPath is just one of those tools a trucker uses to help find a safe place to shut down, or see if a weigh station is open. The thing I like the most is that it is a Trucker Community driven app. It’s a good feeling to look for a truck stop and to find other truckers have updated the status so someone like me can feel safe in knowing there’s likely a good chance I’ll find a spot to shut down. Equally, I’m happy to update all locations I visit so I can return the favor. So if you use it, I encourage you to update often. If you don’t use TruckerPath app, I’d recommend giving it a try. Especially if you are new. Not all of us have the years of experience to know all the exits by memory of our favorite places like the veteran drivers out there. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>Where can we watch your videos?</strong></h3> You can find me on my Youtube Channel, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9x-LgYMaepeyXCApHfCQOg">Kangaroo Trucker</a>. <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/v8-9EhgnlG0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> <h2></h2> I’ll keep on trucking as long as I can. It’s a great feeling to be contributing to America's supply chain and doing my part to help. <h2></h2> Cheers! <h2></h2> <h2></h2> <h4>By Aldous Aldwin</h4> <h3></h3> <h3></h3>

Jun 30, 2020 • Carriers

Industry Update - November 22, 2019 <h4><strong>By Paul DeCoste</strong></h4> <h3><strong>Did you Know?</strong></h3> The trucker-themed movie, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roadgames">Roadgames</a>, came out this week almost 30 years ago. On November 19<sup>th</sup>, 1981. Starring Stacy Keach and Jamie Lee Curtis, this film is a personal favorite of Quentin Tarantino. <h3></h3> <h3><strong>Industry Update</strong></h3> The <a href="https://globalnews.ca/news/6199178/cn-rail-strike-3rd-day/">strike at CN Railway</a>, Canada’s largest railroad, has entered its third day. 3,200 unionized workers began their strike on Thursday, and it has been recorded as the biggest company strike in a decade. The union is mainly fighting against worker fatigue and making sure that worker’s breaks are not reduced. <h3></h3> CN’s stock has slowly fell by 3$ over the past three days of this strike. <h3></h3> <h3><strong>Regulations</strong></h3> House Democrats in Connecticut want the governor to <a href="https://cdllife.com/2019/dems-tell-connecticut-governor-to-revive-truck-only-toll-plan/">rethink a plan that will only toll commercial vehicles on 12 bridges throughout the state</a>. The funding plan, officially titled “CT2030”, will only toll semi-trucks and other commercial vehicles and is estimated to rake in $150 million in revenue per year. The Connecticut House Speaker, Joe Aresimowicz, argues that commercial vehicles do majority of the damage to interstate roads and therefore, should be tolled at a rate that is 7x higher than the rate for passenger vehicles. <h3></h3> Governor Lamont has since stated that, “the truck-only option provides too little revenue, too slowly and too piecemeal to make a meaningful difference.” For the time being, highway tolls in Connecticut will remain the same to all vehicles that pay their fees. <h3></h3> <h3><strong>ELD Update</strong></h3> <a href="https://www.ttnews.com/articles/uber-freight-subsidizes-geotab-elds-0">Uber has recently partnered with Geotab and announced an interesting deal</a> to supply small carriers with their ELD service. Small carriers with 10 trucks or fewer are eligible to receive a free Geotab ELD as well as a free year of Uber Freight services. However, there’s a catch. <h3></h3> Carriers that accept this deal must agree to share their telematics data with Uber Freight. The breakdown of exactly what kind of data will be shared has yet to be announced but the value of telematics data has been on the rise in recent years and there is not telling how much valuable information you could end up giving away. <h3></h3> <h3>"Movember"</h3> <a href="https://www.trucker.com/drivers/maxitrans-supporting-mens-health-movember-drive">MaxiTRANS is an Australian trailer manufacturer and they are using “Movember” to raise awareness</a> for mins health issues. Issues that include prostate and testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention. The company even commissioned an entire reefer trailer that is branded with Movember on all walls.

Nov 22, 2019 • Carriers

Trucker Spotlight - Nikki Matthews <em>The Trucker Spotlight series explores the lives of truckers and their journey to make a difference in their industry. We interview different truck drivers to understand some life lessons that make them who they are today. We also learn more about their motivations, and the problems that they encounter on the job. We also tackle how Trucker Path's solutions helped them with what they do. The information that they provide helps inform other people who are looking to delve into the trucking world.</em> <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2021/01/202101-TS-Nikki-Mathews-BLOG1.jpg" alt=""] <h2></h2> Today we are putting the spotlight on <strong>Nikki</strong>, who's a wife and mother of 6 kids. She's trainer at Stevens Transport and a lease purchase driver. She's been in the industry for more than 2 years now and she loves what she does. She's also an electronic junkie. Let's get to know more about Nikki and her life in trucking. <h2></h2> <h3></h3> <h3><strong>What made you decide to be a trucker?</strong></h3> I was driving 2 hours to the Post office and 2 hours home plus 4-6 hrs delivery Mail. All that driving made me think of driving trucks. <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2021/01/202101-TS-Nikki-Mathews-BLOG3.jpg" alt=""] <h2></h2> <h3><strong>In the years that you have been driving, what are the significant changes that you've noticed in the trucking industry?</strong></h3> More women are coming out and that some of the older generation of Truckers doesn't respect women out here on the road at all. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>Any times when you get lonely while driving? How do you deal with it?</strong></h3> Yeah there are times of loneliness. I just use that time to meditate and relax my mind just a bit. I use that as my "Me time". <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2021/01/202101-TS-Nikki-Mathews-BLOG2.jpg" alt=""] <h2></h2> <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What made you start a Youtube Channel? </strong></h3> I didn't see that many videos encouraging women Truckers to come out in the industry and not many good videos of the company I work for. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What are your trucking pet peeves? </strong></h3> Truckers leaving pee bottles and trash on the ground at truck stop. Not cleaning behind themselves. <h2></h2> [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2021/01/202101-TS-Nikki-Mathews-BLOG4.jpg" alt=""] <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What keeps you busy nowadays? How did the current Covid-19 situation affect your trucking life? </strong></h3> My 5 year old keeps me busy because he is growing and needs things so I stay out to provide for him and my fur babies. Covid-19 affect my trucking life by wearing masks all the time but I understand why I need it. Not able to sit down for lunch or dinner inside a restaurant. So I started cooking meals in my truck. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What are your future career plans? Would you continue to be a trucker? Any plans on being an instructor? </strong></h3> My future plan is to create me a small fleet of trucks under my business name. I will continue drive for a while until my fleet is established. I am currently a trainer. I haven't thought about being an instructor just yet. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>Favorite Truckstop? Truckstop Food? Favorite truck model?</strong></h3> Pilot / Flying J is my favorite truck stop. Chicken wings and pizza at Pilot / Flying J. My favorite model of course is the Freightliner Cascadia. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What are your must haves or the things that you bring with you when on the road?</strong></h3> God, my sanity, food, good music clothes, personal hygiene items, sometimes my fur baby, all trucker tools, and my drone. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What's your favorite scenic route?</strong></h3> Going through I-70 through Utah to Colorado to see Aspen. So beautiful there. I just think how the western got from one point to the next point. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>We're glad that you use the Trucker Path app on your day to day trucking. What features do you enjoy the most?</strong></h3> My fave feature of <a href="https://sixdays.page.link/tpfb">Trucker Path</a> is that one it stay open while I'm driving so I don't have to stop and open it to see where I'm going. Then HOS part when you're routing. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>What are some tips that you would like to share for aspiring women truckers? </strong></h3> Don't let no one tell you what you can't do. If you wanna come out and drive trucks then do it. But don't let no one tell you any difference. Keep your head up. Don't let men bully you. <h2></h2> <h3><strong>Where can people watch your videos on Youtube?</strong></h3> They can view my videos on my Youtube Channel, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgTa_9fKQR2_li03wAMZnqQ">OTR Diva</a>. <h2></h2> <iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/P3DJKuJ85sM" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe> <h2></h2> Hope you guys enjoy! <h2></h2> <h2></h2> <h4>By Aldous Aldwin</h4> <h3></h3> <h3></h3>

Jan 19, 2021 • Carriers