Hello everyone, well today started out much like yesterday. we did some paper work. a quik trip to docs office so i could get a test of my blood sugar ( as i am type 2 diabetic ) but my sugar is totally under control as i have just lost approx 58 lbs in the last 4 months parly due to diet and partly due to exercise .i started walking 1 mile daily about lil over 2 months now along with low to no carb diet now im up to any where from 3 to 6 miles daily.. now getting back to the day.sugar was fine safety just needed it for there records .with all that done we did some ? and answer tests on general knowledge and also hazmat. along with videos on that all also. then the moment we were waiting for.... finally a driver agreed to road test us. turns out the driver ( i wont mention his name ) has been with crete for20 yrs and over 3 million miles driven.. did that make me nervous??? well i must admit yes it did especially since i am new to this and my shifting isnt up to par yet..but i want to tell you the testor made me feel at ease and more comfortable as time went on . he informed me it wasnt so much perfection they were looking for as they understand we r just beginning the driving stages and they do have a certain criteria they follow but with that said ,yes i did grind the gears...even with that i was in control of my vehicle i was focased on my turns /signaling/the vehicles around me... my speed / braking distances /safe lane changing / everything i was taught by the instructors at caldwell community college to the best of my ability. i still know in my heart this is a learning expierence and i need to continue to think and feel and live that everydayi am out on the road . and most of all TO DO IT AS SAFELY AS POSSIBLE.. well getting back to the road test. i survived and passed had to drive in spartanburg traffic then onto the I85 for awhile then just return same way we came. got back to the terminal had to back in a spot. post trip the truck . then drop the trailor for another driver to utilize the trailor. also saw and installed a locking mechanism on the brake knobs inside the tractor to secure the vehicle. its a cool invention securely locks around the brake knobs so they cannot be engaged or released.. with all that said i spent a few talking to the testor and some of the other drivers i enjoy picking there brains... a wealth of knowledge out there i wanna take in as much as i can.. so as of today my day is over was told to go back to hotel and wait till they call tommorrow .i believe we are supposed to interview with the terminal manager and await till they get a response back from safety as an ok to hire me.. after all that then they schedule the trainer to come pick me up then out i go with my trainer for 2 months with 4 days off in between that 2 months sometime .. well im gonna hit the sack ok everyone have a safe nite and be safe

well day 3 in the bag basically waited around the hotel today drug test results havent come in yet hopefully tommorrow as i was scheduled to be picked up by my trainer at 6 am thurs ... looks like it will be a little later in the day. am excited was glad to speak briefly to my trainer. hope we are compatable..im going at this with an open mind and willingness to learn as much as i can. and to be a safe driver on the roads to the best of my ability talk to you all tommorrow and let you know if i hit the road thank you all for all your help advise and support.. be safe

day 4 went off with out a call...... up until 4:55 i am hired come to terminal to get up with trainer...in 1 hr. got my fuel card and quallcomm code all paperwork done. meet terminal manager ready to go..only 1 little prob (not really) trainer is out of hrs and will be spending the nite in NC will pick me up at terminal in am.. really looking forward to this change in my life . and will try to continue to inform those who are interested in my daily doings .. of course in the training phase i maynot get to it daily ,but i will try to the best of my ability to give you my training expierence.. thank you and be safe

oh wow, how cool!!! best of luck and keep us posted so that we can keep up with your driving and training. again good luck and stay safe.

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You have to do what you love to do, not get stuck in that comfort zone of a regular job.
Life is not a dress rehearsal. This is it...
Lucinda Basset

Thanks Novoids , I have been keeping up with your postings. And it is really nice to hear you are doing so good and I am sure you will be on your way soon and be a crete driver . Well got to go and good luck and way to go on that 58lds

Hey NOVOIDS its your old classmate from AVL. Sounds like all is going to plan how is life on the road? I will be leaving on 5/21 for Roehl, the Bud job went to an internal transfer. If you have any pointers let me know i'll take all the help i can get. Good luck out there, Pete

The amount you are bringing is about the normal amount. Although I provide the top two cubby holes along with the top bunk this usually requires at least one duffel bag to remain on the bunk, since there is room for 1.5-2 people on a bunk there will be room for your duffel bag or even two duffel bags, I have a duffel bag or two on my bunk. Unfortunately with the APU's being added to some trucks there is little room under the bunk, but it's worth the sacrifice.
I do provide a clean set of sheets and blanket for the trainee along with a pillow, in case they forget theirs or just feel more comfortable in a slightly more traditional bed than the sleeping bag option offers. I used a sleeping bag as a blanket for years just so I would have it for survival if I was without power for days in the cold. I have enough blankets to do the same thing now and trust the little espar heater to keep me warm on very little fuel. Anyway hope your training is or has gone well and you can soon get out on your own and start your own training.

well hello all, sorry about the lapse in my goings on.but after being picked up at the terminal by my trainer we were off to calhoun GA then to rome GA TO PICK UP A LOAD WITH SUNDAY OFF. basically then we were off to PA . then kentucy then a t-call in knoxville had to go to atlanta then pick up atl to buffalo NY then a live load back to atl were we are heade now at trk stop on PA st line go most of the wat tommorrow remaining on sat am.my trainer so far is considerate/ non smoking/ thoughtful/patient/informative... lets hope it stays this wayfor the next 7 wks.from what i understand at crete all trainers have a different way of training some u go in the drivers seat from the start till the 5th wk then u super team meaning trainer can drive up to 5 hrs above your 11 hrs..my trainer had me watch him the first day i guess in a way to get to know me and visa versa,i didnt mind thatat all if anything it made me more comfortable and alittle anxious to drive when i drove it was obvious i need more practice shifting but he told me not to worry we will work on it all so dont expect miracles first day go easy on yourselfthe trainer will ##### your level and go from there.one thing that pleases me most is we are not teaming he is either watching me or driving himself explaining things..there is alot to learn more then just driving..setting tandoms/qualcomm/paperwork/trip planning/learning time management for example this job makes you think if you dont you will end up being one of those negative 1500 mile a week truckers u will meet in trk stops and terminals. and believe me they r out thereive always been a good manager of my time so that wont be too hard for me of course trking is different then what ive done in my life .but i plan on applying the same attitude towards my time here as i always have plan your dayat the beginning everything ..your trip, stops,meals,anything you can think of PLAN IT AHEAD OF TIME make your day work for you as best as you can make your 14 hrs productivewe did 2750 miles this past week well trainer did i get a straight pay for weekbut my point is we showered daily/ slept well/ ate well/ i even have time to do my walking for exercise daily...now getting used to sleeping on top bunk ( small) i mite add is not the most comfy i did however get a brand new mattress at terminal while we were there on sunday so i would say to date my expierence has been going well hopefully living in this closet together for 2 mos will survive us both so we will see i will continue to write about my time here and if you have any ? please ask i will do my best to help you all out be safe and thank you all..PS peter ill call u as soon as i get a moment . i do try not to use phone while i am here only out of respect for trainer .i mean i am here to learn not sit on phone . and yes u do have your time and u can do as you please but when we r not driving im really trying to study or practice qualcomm or trip plan .yes i know boring!!!!!!!!!!!! but it will payoff for me in the long run.. also LOG IT AS YOU DO IT..... VERY IMPORTANT.. AND IF YOU CAN TRANSFLO YOUR PAPER WORK DAILY ..SO YOU DONT PUT IT OFF IF YOU CAN THAT WAY U DONT LOSE OT OR CONFUSE IT..IM SURE LOTS OF NEGATIVE FOLKS WILL SAY YOU DONT HAVE TO ..FINE BUT FOR ME ID RATHER BE SAFE AND SURE ALL THE TIME..JUST MY PT OF VIEW GUYS THANKS AGAIN

HELLO PETE glad to hear u r going to roehl just spoke to a guy who used to work for them tonite at morton salt plant in silver springs NY.HE LIKED IT BUT WANTED A JOB HOME EVRYWK . log book is critical/ qualcomm/i brought laptop phone camera ipod 2 wks of clothing pillow blanket sheets twin...rain coat/ map/ my meds a sortof first aid aspirin heat pads immodium/ foot powder/tooth brush/paste/ sandels for in shower shower bag /towels they give u at trk stop when u get 50 gals or more u swipe ur card along with company card and get a free shower trainer get duel showers for himself and student. at trk stop u ask for a card they give em to u there loves pilot flyin j TA and such u also get points bring any adaptors plugs u could see if you can speak to your trainer in advance to see if he has a fridge or micro wave if not when u get there in trk u can buy a cooler/ fridge at walmart for $88 .. i did stock it with drinks and coldcuts bread an mustard or what ever you eat to save $$ cause it isnt cheap out here pens /whiteout/ a little yellow pad comes in handy2 pr shoeswell im tired for now please stay in touch and enjoy yourself oh yeah so far the little bit ive been on it verizon wireless card has worked well 60 buckeroos monthly be safe peter call me when u can if i dont answer mite be cause im driving take care eric

HEY NOVOIDS...GLAD TO HEAR YOU ARE MAKING IT OK. I AM ENJOYING KEEPING UP WITH YOUR POSTS. YOU HAVE THE RIGHT ATTITUDE GOING IN. JUST TRY TO KEEP THAT ATTITUDE AND KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK AND I BET YOU WILL MAKE ONE HECK OF A PROFESSIONAL TRUCK DRIVER. GOOD LUCK AND KEEP US UPDATED!!