Dec 10, 2021 • Community

Meet a Pathfinder: Alex Tkachev

Meet a Pathfinder: Alex Tkachev

The Meet a Pathfinder series explores what our Pathfinder users love about being part of the program, what’s their favorite thing to explore, and fun facts about themselves.

Today we have Alex Tkachev from Portland, Oregon.

What do I love about being a Pathfinder?

What I love about being a Pathfinder is that it encourages me to read other people’s comments and get engaged with the places that I visit.

I get to find out more about the locations that I visit and how truck stop management works hard to help truck drivers. It makes me feel more empathetic to the people that work there and all that they put into their jobs. Especially with the worker shortage, people work extra hard to keep this economy running.

My favorite thing to explore

My favorite thing to explore are truck stops that are in faraway locations that most people don’t know about. Finding truck stops that I haven’t heard of before, but that is some of the best places to relax.

Fun fact about me

I try to eat healthy even when healthy food options are limited.

The Trucker Path Pathfinder program aims to build a community for truckers who are enthusiastic, passionate, and adventurous. Every time you share an experience on the Trucker Path map help a fellow trucker over the road. If you love discovering hidden gems, supporting a mom-and-pop truck stop, and telling stories with vivid visuals and cogent reviews, join our squad to start your journey.

Tagscommunity Trucker Path Community Pathfinder

Trucker Path to Unveil New Product Offerings at the Mid America Truck Show [p]Phoenix, AZ – With nearly 1M monthly active users, Trucker Path is America’s largest over the road community. “Our members continually tell us how our app reduces the stress of planning a trip, fuel prices and finding a safe place to park,” said Joe Chen, CEO of Trucker Path. Chen stated, “The community told us their number one feature request of the Trucker Path app was a truck specific navigation system, so we are launching truck specific navigation.” [p]Trucker Path truck navigation will ease the anxiety that an over the road driver has when planning a trip. A navigation subscriber will be routed on truck specific routes that avoide low bridges and bridges with weight restrictions. When a user attempts to use a road that is not a designated truck route, alarms will be activated notifying the user to avoid the route. <img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-4703" src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2019/03/Trucker-Path-Navigation-210x300.png" alt="" width="160" height="250" align="right" /> [p]Over 1500 over the road drivers have been beta testing the Trucker Path Community board over the last 60 days. The community room allows users to comment in 26 trucking related forums, ask questions in the truck models section and post and view used equipment. “We have built a community space that gives drivers a chance to discuss what’s on their mind with other drivers and post pictures of their trucks,” said Chen. He continued, “Drivers love to talk and love their truck we are already seeing this to be popular feature to the app.” [p]At the Mid America Truck Show, Trucker Path will launch their WIN FREE FUEL Sweepstakes. One lucky trucker will win 1000 gallons of free fuel. Trucker Path’s booth number is 64232. [p]Launching in March is the job board, <em>Trucker Path Hire</em>, which will allow trucking companies to post job opportunities locally and nationally for drivers. <strong>[p]About Trucker Path</strong> [p]Trucker Path is America's largest trucking community with nearly 1M truck drivers as active users equating to over 25 percent of U.S. based long-haul truckers. The exponential growth of the Trucker Path app led to the release of Truckloads, an online marketplace connecting freight brokers with hundreds of thousands of member carriers via the web and mobile devices. In mid 2018 the Trucker Path ELD was launched. The Trucker Path team strives to bring efficiencies to the freight transportation industry while making life on the road easier, more enjoyable, and more profitable for truck drivers.

Mar 28, 2019

Truck Driver Weight Loss [p]Being a truck driver can make weight loss difficult. Sitting in a truck all day and night is not conducive to an active lifestyle. But there is hope that truck driver weight loss can be obtained. Just ask the Dancing Trucker.[/p] [h2]Truck Driver's Weight Loss Journey[/h2] [p]We reach for that second piece of pie staring back at us in all its sweet glory. It's a regrettable decision almost immediately. That feeling of overeating strikes and we are reduced to a food-induced coma. Fear not, there are ways you can stay active to improve your overall health and fitness lke the dancing truck driver “Big” John Drury.[/p] [p]Towering at 6 feet 7 inches tall, “[a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuW0wnyHMIwmM-frmCjAvQw"]Big John[/a]” has spent 14 years as a truck driver and is probably the last person you would expect to be a dance instructor.[/p] [giphy]<iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/91fEJqgdsnu4E" width="480" height="269" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe>[/giphy] [p]You heard that correctly, a larger than life truck driver with a passion for dance that aided in his weight loss as a truck driver.[/p] [p]In 2007, John weighed 386 pounds and was not pleased with his overall health and fitness. John's decision to lose weight came after his cousin lost his battle with cancer at 37, the same age as John.[/p] [p]“We all love food but we can't keep carrying extra weight especially with our lifestyle, sitting in a truck all day,” John said. “My cousin passing away was the first time I got serious about losing weight and seeing his young children at his funeral really hit home and was such a sad thing to see.”[/p] [h2]Reality Check Sparks Truck Drivers Weight Loss[/h2] [p]Motivated by the tragedy, John began his journey to a slimmer frame by walking on a treadmill daily to drop the extra weight he held. His hard work caused him to lose 50 pounds but soon, he gained it all back.[/p] [p]Four years passed and [a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuW0wnyHMIwmM-frmCjAvQw"]Big John[/a] was determined to get back in shape. He discovered dancing as a way to lose weight in 2011.[/p] [p]“I found Zumba dance fitness at a local gym and it really worked for me,” John said. “I love music, I grew up with it and I'm a big fan of dance. It's just a big part of who I am regardless of my gender or being a truck driver. I grew up in poverty and dancing kept me out of trouble.”[/p] [p]Truck drivers often receive negative stereotypes for being overly tough and unfriendly but with Big John, that couldn't be more incorrect.[/p] [p]“The only downfall at first was that Zumba classes were 100 percent women, I was the only guy and not just any guy, but a tall, intimidating guy," John said. "It took a lot for me to stay in that Zumba room but in the long run it all worked out.”[/p] [p]Did it ever. After a year, Big John transcended to a modest-sized John, losing nearly 100 pounds and reaching his goal of weighing under 300 pounds thanks to his newfound love for Zumba dance fitness.[/p] [quote]“The motto that I live by is, start to feel comfortable being uncomfortable,” John said. “That is when we grow as individuals when we push ourselves and that is part of what I do to help others now.”[/quote] [giphy]<iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/GoOk4HOs21CbC" width="480" height="269" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe>[/giphy] [h2]Tragedy Strikes Again[/h2] [p]Just as things seemed to fall into place, disaster struck John's family yet again. In April 2015, John's dear mother Sandy lost her life because of a reckless drunk driver. The shock and loss of his mother weighed heavy on John, causing him to slip back into an unhealthy state.[/p] [p]“It rocked my world, I guess God just wanted her home with him,” said John about his mother. “She was always in Weight Watchers and at the time of her death she was committed to losing weight and walking every day.”[/p] [p]It wasn't long before he was back to the [a href="https://twitter.com/BigJohnsTruckin"]Big John[/a] of the past, gaining most of the 100 pounds he lost just a few years prior.[/p] [p]Time went on and John was able to refocus his efforts on weight loss and used dance to propel him. He started Big John's Dance Fitness, sharing his dance routines with others in the hope of inspiring them to change their unhealthy ways.[/p] [p]“In the long run we are empowered by the weight loss, empowered by believing in ourselves again and the weight loss can go a long way because it affects your whole life,” John said.[/p] [h2]Family is Everything for a Truck Driver[/h2] [p]Currently, Big John is halfway to his goal of getting back under 300 pounds and continues to help enable others to be more active and make their health and fitness a priority.[/p] [p]“The most important thing is those around us; my wife and my two kids, they participate in some of my dance fitness classes and if I love myself I'm going to love those around me that much more,” said Big John.[/p] [giphy]<iframe src="https://giphy.com/embed/s6yGJEnadD5sc" width="480" height="269" frameBorder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowFullScreen></iframe>[/giphy] [p]John wants his fellow [a href="http://fb.me/truckerpath"]drivers[/a] to know that the best way to start losing weight is to take baby steps.[/p] [p]“We have to get the excuses out of our head that we don't have the time or are too busy as truck drivers on the road. I know better now," John said. “There’s nothing more empowering than losing weight.”[/p]

Dec 02, 2016 • Community

How to start your own trucking company [p]If you're looking through articles on how to start a trucking company, chances are that you want to work for yourself. If you have been a trucker for a while and looking to get off the road whilst still staying in the industry, then it's a good idea to start your own business. You can hire drivers, buy trucks and start earning more money! In this article, we will take you through some of the key things to consider when starting your own company.[/p] <h2></h2> [p][b]Step #1 : Get your license![/b][/p] <h2></h2> [p]Whether you're looking to manage drivers or be a driver yourself, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) requires you to hold a number of licenses before starting your company. Most importantly, you would need to obtain your required trucking authority, which gives you permission to operate trucks over 10,000 gross vehicle weight across different states. Besides the US DOT Number, you would require multiple operating authorities depending on your life of business. [/p] <h2></h2> [p][b]List of necessary documents:[/b][/p] <h2></h2> <table> <tr> <td>Commercial Driver's License (CDL)</td> <td>Drivers of commercial vehicles are required to obtain a CDL. Costs for a CDL can range from $3000 upwards depending on the state, classes and exams.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>US DOT Number</td> <td>The FMCSA uses a trucking company's DOT number when conducting investigations, inspections, etc. There is no charge for a DOT number application. First-time applicants apply through the Unified Registration System on the FMCSA website. Applications through URS take roughly 20 - 25 business days, subject to further requirements.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Motor Carrier Operating Authority (MC number)</td> <td>You will need to obtain an MC in addition to a DOT Number if you plan to: <ol> <li>Transport passengers in interstate commerce (for a fee or other compensation, whether direct or indirect)</li> <li>Transport federally-regulated commodities owned by others or arranging for their transport, (for a fee or other compensation, in interstate commerce)</li> </ol> In addition, you may need to apply for multiple operating authorities depending on your business. It costs $300 for each MC number. </td> </tr> <tr> <td>BOC - 3 filing</td> <td>This is done by the process agent that you appoint; the BOC - 3 filing must be included for all states that you will be taking loads in.</td> </tr> <tr> <td>International Registration Plan (IRP) credentials and International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) decal</td> <td>If you plan on operating across different states and your vehicles are over 26,000 pounds in weight, then you will need IRP credentials & ITA decals for your trucks. It will generally take between 3-5 days to process both credentials separately. The registration fee for both vary according to state but has a rough average of $1500 - $2000. </td> </tr> </table> <h2></h2> [p][b]Step #2: Legality issues[/b][/p] <h2></h2> [p]The FMSCA requires you to have a process agent who will represent you in every state that you travel and work in. Once you find your desired process agent, have them fill in the BOC-3 form (click here Form BOC-3 - Designation of Agents for Service of Process).[/p] [p]When filing in the paperwork, you also need to determine the type of business you want to register your company as. Many factors such as tax filings and legal responsibility may play an important role in the future as your business grows, so It is best to talk to an accountant and lawyer about which type suits your needs best. [/p] [p][b]Step #3 Getting Insured[/b][/p] <h2></h2> [p]FMSCA states that you need to have the right papers and insurance before you are given authority to operate. Some of the insurance covers include Public Liability Insurance including freight and passenger insurance, cargo insurance, etc. The exact documents will depend on the type of registration.[/p] <table> <tr> <td>BMC-91 or BMC-91X</td> <td>Public liability insurance (bodily injury/property damage/environmental restoration)</td> <td>The following categories: <ul> <li>Motor Carrier</li> <li>Freight Forwarder (Note: Non-vehicle operating freight forwarders may seek waiver of this requirement.) </li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td></td> <td><ul> <li>Freight:--$750,000 - $5,000,000, depending on commodities transported; $300,000 for non-hazardous freight moved only in vehicles weighing under 10,001 lbs.</li> <li>Passengers:--$5,000,000; $1,500,000 for registrants operating only vehicles with seating capacity of 15 or fewer passengers.</li> </ul> </td> </tr> <tr> <td>BMC-34 or BMC-83</td> <td> <ul> <li>Cargo insurance--$5,000 per vehicle</li> <li>$10,000 per occurrence</li> </ul> </td> <td> <ul> <li>Household Goods Motor Carrier </li> <li>Household Goods Freight Forwarder </li> <ul> </td> <tr> <td>BMC-84 or BMC-85</td> <td> <ul> <li>Surety Bond amount is $75,000</li> <li>Trust Fund Agreement is $75,000</li> </ul> </td> <td> <ul> <li>Freight Forwarder</li> <li>Broker of Freight</li> </ul></td> </tr> <tr> <td>BOC-3</td> <td>Service of Process Agents</td> <td>All Authorities</td> </tr> <tr> <td>MCS-90</td> <td>Endorsement for Motor Carrier</td> <td></td> </tr> </table> <h2></h2> [p][b]Step #4 Time to get a truck[/b][/p] <h2></h2> [p]You can choose to lease or buy a truck depending on your financial situation. If you have financial capital and are looking to start a small fleet, getting your trucks from the same dealer might get you a decent discount. You can also consider buying a second-hand truck; however keep in mind that the average cost to repair a truck is $15,000 annually according to ATRI and the number may be higher for second-hand trucks depending on the quality.[/p] [p]Leasing can also be an option, paying monthly in the short term with a single down-payment at the beginning. However, you do not build equity with your payments and at the end of the term, you will own nothing unless you agree on a right to purchase.[/p] [p]Picking the right truck can make the difference between success and failure. Make sure to do your research and if possible, speak to other truck drivers who have become operators for advice.[/p] <h2></h2> [p][b]Step #5 Get your equipment right[/b][/p] <h2></h2> [p]Choosing the type of freight your drivers carry can have a huge impact on how your company grows and earns. There are many equipment models for you to choose from, with flatbed and dry van neing the most common. (Yet to be completed).[/p] [img src="https://truckerpath.com/uploads/2021/09/Flatbed-or-Dryvan.jpg" alt=""] <h2></h2> [p][b]Step #6 Track your finances[/b][/p] <h2></h2> [p]It's important that you set up a system to track your company's income and expenses. As clients within the payment industry often pay weeks or months after a delivery is complete, it may be difficult to track if you are also planning to transport loads and on the road. Here are several tips to keep in mind when starting out - [/p] <ol> <li>Pay clear attention to how and when your clients will pay you.</li> <li>Hire an accountant or use an easy book-keeping softare to track your expenses.</li> <li>Keep your business and personal transatons/bank accounts separate.</li> <li>Keep records of all invoices, receipts and expenses.</li> </ol> <h2></h2> [p][b]Step #7 Time to pick up some loads! [/b][/p] <h2></h2> [p]All set? Now it's time to get your trucks sorted, hire some drivers and start making money! Luckily you don't need to look far as our Truckloads platform will help you out. With more than 200K+ daily loads from certified carriers, it is a great way to find a value-for-money load; and we have included tools that will help you choose better. Download the app now on the Apple Store or Google Play Store and start searching for FREE loads![/p]

Sep 29, 2021 • Community