A Week In The Life Of A Non-CDL Hotshot

[@marcocardenas4635]

Wow good week my friend . I’m still waiting for a week like that $$$!!! B safe

[@Blue_Sky_Hotshots]

It's not always like that, but when it is, it's great!🙏

[@NoName-c4y7h]

I set my parking brake in neutral before putting it in park, it helps keep weight off of the transmission and lets me know when to adjust so that I don't fail during inspection. I also block the feont and back of a wheel on heavy loads. California requires CDL on any trailer able to haul 10k+ Lbs. even if not hauling the weight.

[@Blue_Sky_Hotshots]

I do the same exact thing with the parking brake, I didn’t know anyone else did it. Even if I pull up to the fuel island, I put the parking brake in while in neutral and then throw it in park, it’s just a habit now.

[@Blue_Sky_Hotshots]

The 10k limit is absolutely true and most people don’t know it. Luckily the scales have been instructed to honor the registration of the home state, so since I’m from Oregon and we are allowed to haul it, they don’t stop me. I have been told that by 3 different level 1 inspections in California now in the past year. Don’t ask me why they chose to do that, but they are.

[@NoName-c4y7h]

@@Blue_Sky_Hotshots I've seen trucks roll away from snapping the transmission while loading with a forklift. That's good to hear that California doesn't mess with you.

[@Erik_m509]

I’m enjoying hot shotting out here in Texas. Put my house in WA up for sale and gonna move out here full time. There’s tons of work out here compared with WA. And the fuel is cheaper.

[@DanielTrombley-l3x]

Looking to sign on, almost 37 years in commercial masonry so Im familiar with big flatbeds and trailers and securing loads, I live in bothell Washington, picking up a 30 foot gooseneck with ramps this weekend, if your not taking on people do you know good people to sign on with ? Thanks

[@brantleystill4302]

Love what you do, thanks for your channel. How do you find your loads and do you believe that Non-CDL is a good starting point for a new HS business

[@jacksturgell8756]

I’m from Northern California and I’m looking into getting into this field. I’ve been watching a lot of KZbin videos and it seems kinda confusing and a lot to start out to get trucking. I’m about a hour north of Sacramento and was thinking about going down to the ports in the Bay Area and southern California to haul containers. Have you ever hauled out of those area?

[@Blue_Sky_Hotshots]

Ya we’ve run containers out of Oakland and Long Beach. They generally don’t pay enough for the extra fuel it takes, but if you can get $3 a mile or close to it for them then I’d say it’s worth it. Are you thinking about just getting a Cali # and running intrastate, or will you get an MC to run interstate?

[@Ndw1995]

I don’t know much about trucking, but I know enough to know you need all sorts of licensing and DOT numbers, if this guy does not have a CDL, don’t the hours of service not apply to him? And also, what stopping a guy from setting up a logistics deal with a shipper and receiver without a middleman? Is that even legal to do?

[@Blue_Sky_Hotshots]

A few years back the FMCSA changed things and made it so anyone hauling freight for hire, no matter a CDL or not, is required to have an ELD to log hours, so I do have one. I can set up and haul for any shipper/receiver as long as it’s not one that I’ve hauled for a broker. If I were to back door a broker and take the shipper from them, they can take me to court and take a percentage of every load I haul to compensate them for lost revenue.

[@jeffsun8920]

Would like to get to involved in on CDL trucking lease under somebody would be great

[@eprofessio]

@@jeffsun8920I did a video explaining how this really works. I’m not very good at explaining but I tell the truth.

[@CharlieO77]

It’s for vehicles 10,001 + lbs. if your 2500 is at 10,000 does it still need it? Maybe it’s because you have a trailer but vans certainly don’t need it if they’re under that weight

[@Redbeard0705]

Ivealways heard bad things about containers, any issues with them? I know the mpg was horrible but what about mechanical issues? Getting into it soon and trying to my best to avoid containers but it seems to be about the only thing near me

[@Blue_Sky_Hotshots]

I didn’t have any issues and you are absolutely correct, the mpg will be the worst on these. This is the only time I’ve ever hauled containers in over a year, but if there’s a lot of them near you then maybe see if you can get them as a direct customer and see if you can grab $3 a mile for them, that will make it worth it and give you consistent freight.

[@Luis-229_]

I wish i could find a non cdl job in alabama but its hard

[@Blue_Sky_Hotshots]

What do you mean, can you tell me more? What exactly are you looking for? Maybe myself or someone else reading this can help you out.

[@Luis-229_]

@@Blue_Sky_Hotshots well it's hard to get in a non cdl job here because I'm 18 and most want you to be 21

[@scott4742]

@@Blue_Sky_HotshotsI’m looking for a driving position as a non-CDL hotshot here in Idaho. Time out on the road isn’t an issue because I don’t have kids or a wife, just the desire to drive and earn good money.

[@christianrosa756_7]

I have a question. I would assume hot shot trucking is more profitable than semi truck trucking because of the expedite ability and gas efficiency, right? Also, I want to get into tanker hazmat hauling and dont know if hotshot trucking would be a good way to start. I do plan on getting my cdl and eventually buy my own semi, but I would figure if a hotshot is more profitable, why not start there.

[@Blue_Sky_Hotshots]

I wouldn’t say it’s more profitable, it really depends on a ton of different factors (cdl or non cdl, equipment, customers/brokers, overhead, etc.). Honestly, if you want to get into something that specific, you’ll need a bunch of experience to do it. I’d start on that experience right away and get my CDL and find a non hazmat tanker job that pays well and that will get you to your goal quicker.

[@christianrosa756_7]

Thank you for your advice

[@mikesmodscustoms]

Thanks for takin us along.... question?? What kinda miles are running in a week to bring in what you are?

[@Blue_Sky_Hotshots]

I don’t necessarily keep track of overall miles, but the ideal week would be roughly 2,500 miles at a minimum of $2 per mile average.

[@AdjudicatorBrbal]

A lot of people dont talk about broker percentages. Is that frowned upon? Im on my way to buying my truck and trailer. But im in the middle of researching too. If it makes loads easier to handle id use a broker, but i need to weigh in their percent to what my going rates will be. Especially factoring in the damn up and down fuel costs of diesel.

[@marcelinogonzalez2273]

Which app you used to find a load or dispatcher ty

[@Blue_Sky_Hotshots]

When I need to find a load I use Internet Truckstop. I don’t use and never will use a dispatcher service. I’m not completely against them and I know a few people that have a great dispatcher, but most of them are terrible and charge too much.

[@zarfx4127]

what size is your trailer ?

[@Blue_Sky_Hotshots]

It’s a 35+5 with 7k axles.

[@jasonscales2522]

I'm doing about $2100-$2200 wk in the mid-west/east coast. What is my dispatch doing wrong?

[@bryonsusedautos]

No booking you the proper loads

[@iamOAKland]

They should be fired!!!!

[@jasonscales2522]

@@iamOAKland I think it's time to find another company to lease to

[@Blue_Sky_Hotshots]

The Midwest and East is where most of the freight is, it’s much harder to run on the west coast. What I’m saying is, if you are a CDL setup then you should be able to run more than twice that, and honestly even non CDL.

[@Blue_Sky_Hotshots]

@@jasonscales2522 reach out to me at [e-mail] so we can talk more about this. I’m very busy and bad at responding just to be up front, but I’m trying to set time aside and I’ll do what I can to help.

[@RedTruckRanch]

Hey I’m in Redmond and about to start my own hotshot this year. I’ve got some questions moving forward. Any chance we can connect?

[@Blue_Sky_Hotshots]

You bet. If you’ve already reached out via email I apologize I’m absolutely awful at responding. Email me @ [e-mail]

[@johnnyrodriguez2493]

The title says Non-CDL. But don't you have to have a CDL to driver a trailer longer than 33 ft. ???

[@Blue_Sky_Hotshots]

Where did you get your information that a trailer longer than 33 feet you’d need a CDL?

[@eprofessio]

The best advice I can give to someone wanting to start hotshot is to just buy a dual tandem sleeper truck off Facebook market place, and a trailer from Penske. Yes, there are places that will finance.

[@Blue_Sky_Hotshots]

A dual tandem sleeper truck and a trailer from Penske??

[@727Regis]

I need to find out those places that will finance

[@eprofessio]

@@Blue_Sky_Hotshots yes, a dual tandem with a sleeper cab and a used trailer from Penske. The little trucks get heat soaked and wind up worn out 12 months. The 50 ft gooseneck limits you to loads that are just outside of real good money. Insurance on little trucks is way more expensive too. I know you don’t believe me and that’s okay. I understand you already have your own idea and that’s perfectly fine. I did it both ways and the real money is in the bigger trucks.

[@eprofessio]

@@727Regis go to a truck stop and pick up a truck trader paperback book. They will be in a newspaper rack. Call around and ask the dealer who they use for financing. You can make it happen. I believe in you.

[@jasonscales2522]

Do you consider deadhead in your rpm's?

[@Blue_Sky_Hotshots]

Are you talking about the RPMs that I’m putting in these videos, or when I’m quoting a customer?

[@jasonscales2522]

@@Blue_Sky_Hotshots Quoting the customer?

[@Blue_Sky_Hotshots]

If I can then I do. It depends on the lane and if there’s a decent amount of freight, or if there’s zero freight and I need something to get me out of that area. You know when you can be aggressive and when you have to just tell them you’ll take it for the rate posted.

[@Happ1971]

Are you finding your own loads 🤔 and as a newbie... who? Lol