Truck drivers have always used some sort of slang or abbreviation to make communication faster and a little more fun while on the road. It all started during the heyday of CB radio in the ‘70s, and great movies like Smokey and the Bandit and Convoy made these trucking terms popular in mainstream America. Before you knew it, everyone had a call sign of “Rubber Duck” and was asking each other for their twenty.
As we know, the trucking industry never stays the same and neither do the channels of communication used by truck drivers. The CB Radio is still used by many drivers, but more and more are using social media to discuss stories, advice and ideas while on the road. Even Schneider’s Company Drivers run their own Facebook group where they offer advice and discuss ideas.
Everyone knows the classic trucker CB terms like Smokey Bear, Home 20 or Freight Shaker, but drivers are using social media to communicate with written words instead. This leads to many abbreviations to shorten up general trucking terms. Below is a list of some of the most popular truck driver abbreviations used in social media today. We added some that are more specific to the Big Orange too.
General Truck Driver Abbreviations:
OTR
Over-the-Road. A phrase to denote drivers who travel cross country as opposed to local or regional drivers. An example is our Over-the-Road driving opportunities.
IMD
Intermodal. Freight that is hauled to and from rail yards and travels between multiple modes of transportation like truck, rail or ship. Schneider’s Intermodal driving opportunities are a great example.
O/O
Owner-Operator. An independent businessperson who owns his/her own business and leases his/her equipment and/or services as a driver to a carrier. For more information on Schneider’s lease opportunities, visit schneiderowneroperators.com.
MT
Empty. Refers to an empty trailer that drivers pick up to get loaded for the next haul. Schneider has state-of-the-art technology that keeps track of trailers to keep drivers rolling.
DNH
Drop-and-hook. A trailer is unhooked from the tractor at a specific customer location and another trailer is hooked up (picked up) at the same location. Many of Schneider’s Team driving opportunities offer drop-and-hook loads.
PU
Pick up. A trailer that a driver picks up to haul.
TAH
Time at Home. Many of Schneider’s driving opportunities offer weekly or more time at home.
PM
Preventive Maintenance. Scheduled inspections of the tractor/trailer performed at company maintenance facilities.
DBL
Driver Business Leader. A Schneider term used to describe a driver’s direct leader, who is there to help a driver while on the road.
OC
Operating Center. Schneider’s network of facilities that provide driver amenities like parking, maintenance and other services.
SEM
Schneider Emergency Maintenance. A Schneider team that is responsible for emergency maintenance if a problem occurs with equipment away from a company maintenance facility.
TE
Training Engineer. Facilitates Schneider’s OTR portion of a driver’s training during orientation for new CDL holders. This position is a great next step in a company driver’s career path.
