Montana Bob Enterprises

Welcome to the Home page of Montana Bob Enterprises, Inc. We are pleased that you came to see what we have to offer. We do not have a lot to offer, but we do have a few pages that you can visit. We would like to have a site that offers good information, along with some fun spots, and possibly some information that will help you while you are on the highway. I have come to realize that with the constant changes, it seems that changes will be a constant in our industry, and on this site, that we will always be under construction. Please note: All links on this page open in a new window, so you can open several fuel stops and compare them side by side, or just surf around, and still have other things open that you have looked at.

Alaska Trip Pictures - May

Alaska Trip Pictures - July

Can you Help? We have many new people entering the industry that need information about trucking in general, and some who have been in the industry for some months or years, then decide to buy or lease a truck, and really need to get information about being an Owner/Operator. Check out the Owner/Operator section below

Have You Ever Been Lost?
My first mapping software was Precision Mapping. Then a friend told us about DeLorme Street Atlas USA with GPS. I Love it!! DeLorme isn't as easy to navigate as Precision Mapping, and some of the other mapping programs, but at least we don't have to try to figure out where we are as we pass each road, the little green arrows show us were we are, and which direction we are traveling. There are still many things I haven't figured out with the program, but seeing where we are and where the next turn around, or cross street is can really help when in a bind, it even shows some One-Way streets. Not that any of us have ever found ourselves going the wrong direction on a One-Way street, Right?

Don't forget, there are also several online mapping programs, including yahoo, mapquest, and others. Another online helper that I love, is Yahoo Yellow Pages it is extremely helpful, especially when you are given the customer's name, but no phone number, and maybe no real address. It will look up the phone number, address, and try to map it for you too, all in one step.

Can you listen to an entire program, without stopping or missing the best part?
XM - For every driver who buys or rents audio books, or listens to tapes because of the tiresome channel fading, and searching drives you crazy, or the music that can be hard to find, either on the radio, or tapes/CD's, the answer may be XM Radio. We used to say that we would never pay for radio. Then one day we started talking about the money we spend on tapes and audio books. After several months of looking at the different radios available, and at both services available, XM and Sirius, we finally purchased our radio. Since June 10, 2003, we have only rented two audio books, and those were because they were the next book in a series we have been getting for several years. We had each book for the entire rental period because to listen to the book, the XM had to be turned off, and that was hard to do. If you decide to buy an XM or Sirius, be sure to shop around, we got a Delphi system from a major chain, with a three year warranty for the same price as we would have paid (sale price) at one of the truck stops.

I do not claim to have had much interest in racing in the last several years, but I do know that many drivers have an avid interest, in not only the racing, but also the memorabilia, so here is a site they can enjoy.

Precision Mapping
Map Software

Computer Users

For those of us who carry our laptops, one thing that I find, as an Over-the-Road driver, is that it is hard to get someplace that I can go online without it costing a small fortune. I have found two truckstops that offer internet connections free, as long as you use your own server, and it has a local access number. Those TruckStops, or "Travel Centers" are Petro, Bordentown, NJ, in the computer room which stays open into the evenings, but not too late, and Jubitz, Portland, OR, in the 307 Club (upstairs of the fuel island). I haven't found any other TruckStops that offer this, but if someone out there knows of others, Please drop me a note. Thanks.

WiFi - Also the latest thing is the WiFi: available at Flying J's (Note: Flying J is available at several locations other than J's) and several other locations, some Petro's, Pilot's, Loves, and T/A's (Equipped with IdleAire), and T/A's with T/A's SpeedZone, and many other locations. To use this service, you will need a "WiFi", or Wireless Network hook-up. This can be either a PCMCIA card type (you will probably want to get a card compatible with an external antenna), the USB wireless connector, or your computer may have it built-in. Then when you go turn on your computer at a WiFi HotSpot, your wireless network card will "Sniff" out the connection, and you will need to purchase the service, or for some sites, you'll need to have purchased the service in advance (like a prepaid phone card). There is a free program out there that will help you find HotSpots called NetStumbler. It finds the HotSpots, but isn't a connection.

One disadvantage I have found at Flying J's locations is that it needs a "Direct line of Sight" to the roof of the building, and this is not only necessary, but for the larger complexes, close in parking is also needed. But if you cannot get close parking, you can take your computer into the Travel Center, and go online there. Currently the price is $199.95/per year, that is just $16.67/per month, if you purchase 1 year of service.

I finally purchased IdleAire, and found that they charge $69.95/per year, equivalant to $5.83/per month, wow what a savings over many of the other WiFi's, many I've seen as high as $25.00/per month, at some of the smaller locations (Kline's Corner, CA, and Jubitz, Portland, OR, Truck Corral, Baker, OR), and I'm sure there are many more out there, and hourly rates are sometimes available. Another point in their favor, is that the IdleAire WiFi is said to be available to a larger area, up to a mile or more away, don't know, but sure sounds good.
Terminals - If you work for, or are leased to one of the major carriers, they may also have a computer room or at least a phone room where you can take advantage of the phone connection to get on the net. Also check to see if your terminal offers a wireless connection.
Keep your eyes open for other WiFi Locations: Thanks to Salena, we have now been informed that there is an indepth search for free Wi-Fi HotSpots at wififreespot.

The wififreespot includes all of my unlikely spots, and sooo many more, so look for your favorite haunts. The only drawback is, even though we travel the highways daily, I find that I cannot usually tell you what town a specific rest area is near, so dig thru then, and find what is available where you are going. I found unlikely WiFi spots at the Rest Area's, in Texas. I was shocked to see the sign, and even more shocked to see that it is FREE (Wow, DOT doing something that will help Drivers).
I found more unlikely WiFi spots at a Rest Area's, in Iowa. As of July '05 all Iowa Rest Area's offer Free Wi-Fi, but just so you know, you have to register, but it is Free. Iv'e been noticing WiFi signs at Washington Rest Areas also, but I do not know if it is free.
Thank You Texas!!!
Thank You Iowa!!!
But I think the most amazing Free WiFi location is at Sapp Bro's Truckstops.
Thank You Sapp Bro's!!!
I've also heard rumors about Bosselman's, but have never been able to prove that right or wrong
Again, Thanks to Salena, since many Panera Bread places have Wi-Fi, check out the service plaza on the Ohio Turnpike just west of Cleveland on the Eastbound side. I know they have delicious bread bowls, but they may also have Wi-Fi. I can't help there, since it has been years since I have been on that section of Turnpike. Another big chain is the Krystal Hamburger chain offering FREE wi-fi, I have also seen other places, like some McDonalds that also offer free access for WiFi. If you find other FREE spots, don't hesitate to drop me a note, so it can be added to our site. Thanks.

Remember to . PROTECT YOURSELF. . If you use a network at home, TURN SHARING OFF while on any other network, so hackers cannot get into your computer as easily, also get a firewall on your computer. Zonelabs offers a free firewall that seems to work pretty well. Also for those of us who have questions, and need some information about our computers, try the Kim Komando site. She has a lot of Computer information on there, and has her own AM radio show, that I first heard Sunday, Feb 29, 2004, and seems pretty knowledgeable, even if a bit concieted.

AirCard - Wow, more expensive than Wifi, by far, but it's advantages also heavily outweigh the extra cost in my opinion. Some advantages are that you do not have to be at or near a truckstop to get service, and when you are in the truck, at home(depending on coverage area) the card works. We've switched to Cingular, since they seen to have better coverage these days (Now AT&T, and they seem to be losing coverage areas). Other carriers like Verison, who we had for 27 months, Sprint/Nextel, T-Mobile, and others do offer this service, but coverage areas seem weak, and sparse. Shop Around, and ask other drivers about their coverage areas and speed. I always hear the same thing at truckstop kiosks, but those people are mostly in very concentrated areas, and you need information from people that go where you go, and do what you do. If you do get the AirCard and service, if you have your service with the same company that has your phone, look into discounts, also find out if your company gets a corporate discount, and if the Owner-Ops are also eligible.

Owner/Operators

Knowing what is going on in our industry can be very helpful. OOIDA is an excellent source for information. Another is Transport Topics. Both of these sites offer news and information directed to the trucking industry.

Fuel Prices can be the death of the Owner Op if we allow it, but so can something as simple as the Fuel Tax we pay, but never really get a grip on.. If you are interested in finding out how to figure fuel price, net of Tax, take a look at our Understanding Fuel Tax page

Fuel Prices can be the death of the Owner Op if we allow it. If you are interested in finding out the fuel prices for your trip, I have found that many of the truckstops, and especially the major chains have their fuel prices online, and some even update throughout the day. Flying J . . Loves . . Petro . . Pilot . . Rip Griffins . . Sapp Bros . . T/A, and I'm sure there are many others available that I haven't found yet. One group fuel search is thru ComData, and this appears to be very extensive, although it does not list Corporate Flying J's. For price contious O/O's, that use cash, or skip Flying J's because they do not accept ComData, should look into the PDCA card. It is safer and more convenient than carrying cash, and offers a good interest rate. They also accept ComData. Yes it requires an extra step or two, but I think the safety outweighs the annoyance.

Another thing that can really be frightening to an Owner Op is that we have to get outside insurances. I have found some sites that help to match uninsured people to medical plans, and also a dental plan group. Watch out for the ones that talk about the costs of insurance, and at the bottom in very small type say "This is not insurance". If you are looking for insurance, try thelinks below.

Did you know that for a time EVERY OWNER OPERATOR was required to have his/her own USDOT Number? Although the last I heard it is no longer required, it may be a good idea to go ahead and get it, since the registration was suspended due to the volume of applications. The registration process can be done by mail, or electronically. The website is http://www.usdotnumberregistration.com. There is no charge for registration, or you can go thru a company that registers your truck for you, which may be easier, but costly.

OOIDA Insurance Life Insurance In-Depth Insurance Quotes

Here is a link to an e-mail sent to me, that fell apart as an e-mail, but makes a good webpage. I don't know if it is true, but it will remind us of many good things. I have titled it Rose.

Other Information

Montana Bob Marketing on this page we offer several different opportunities, including an audio on debt elimination, along with several debt elimination and credit rebuilding tools, links to websites that help with marketing, and sales. link to a free computer answering machine, along with free business cards. There is also a link to a place where you can get paid for your opinion, how's that for something to do while waiting around for a load?

Be Bill Free this site offers a paperback book on debt elimination. It doesn't matter who you are, most of this nation is in debt, here is a book that will help you to get out of debt, without counseling, or bankruptcy.

Transforming DEBT into WEALTH
(an audio book by John Cummuta)

If there is something that you think will be useful for driver, either company and/or Owner Operators, Please drop me a note. Thanks.