KLLM from the begining

Haulin', I'm sitting here just outside Richmond, VA after delivery waiting on my next load. Hope you get some good runs out west like California, Nebraska, Idaho and Nevada Arizona, New Mexico. You need to do some good mountain driving and desert stuff. Hope you get to do the Donner from California into Reno, Nevada (ir's a roller coaster), Hwy 93 from Idaho all the way down through Nevada to Vegas (great drive Mountains, Desert,small towns), the Bonneville Salt Flats (cool) and the three sisters on 80 outside of and on either side of Salt Lake, and the Grapevine outside of L.A. I really miss going out there right now as I seem to be stuck in the Northeast (or hell if you like). Get as much out of your training as you can and have a good time. It's a long way till hometime...... By the time your finish orientation, road training and get your truck and loads home, it's about 2 months away from the house. Or at least mine was. Anyway, you will find out just how much they didn't teach you in trucking school. After about 5 weeks I began to get frustrated and easily aggitated, and little things started to get on my nerves. My trainer told me about it ahead of time and I managed to fight off those feelings and just focus on the job.

By the way, the loneliest feeling I've ever had, was when my trainer dropped me off on our last run together, we moved my gear into my new truck, and he drove away. It was quiet, lonesome, I was in a strange truck with only my basic gear, in a location I had never been before. I finally made it home, and was seriously wondering if I really wanted to go out on my own. My first week solo was hell, my second week was about as good. But by the third and fourth week, I was getting the hang of it, but I just missed being home. After a couple of solo outs and hometimes, it gets much better and you feel a little more secure and sure of yourself. I got advice from RoadToad, Ledbetter, and lots of other KLLM drivers along the way. In addition, there always seems to be an experienced driver out there in person or on the CB that's willing to help by giving directions or advice to make things easier. They far outnumber the CB Rambos, loud mouths and Coneheads. Hang in there, it get's better and better and you will come to know the job and love it.

Remember these two things you will ALWAYS need are, a place to get a Trailer Wash out, (we have an account with Blue Beacon, cash elsewhere) and the Cat Scales, J Scales or any other truck scales you can find. Always watch for the billboards and try to remember them along the way. You will always need a washout and a scale. Another helpful tool is the PC Miler Truck GPS. Mine has saved me many headaches. Save for one for your truck. They are about 300 bucks, but worth it. Don't waste your time on the Igloo cooler. I bought one on-line and it lasted less than 3 weeks. All of my food was ruined. Ordered a new motor, but had to find one at a truck stop because mail delivery took too long. Cost about 40 bucks, and it lasted about 2 weeks. Threw the piece of junk in the dumpster. Bought a Koolatron at the Petro. So far, it's been 7 weeks with no probs.

 

newbiewannadoright,

Keep up the great posts

 

newbiewannadoitright,

What did you do before trucking?

 

A Paramedic for several years and a now a retired Police Officer. Did Gunsmithing for several years and just wanted something different.
Sitting in a Port in the South right now, waiting to unload and get a nap.

 

Good stuff newbie, but you may want to change your screen name now. You are no longer a newbie.

 

Thanks, but after only about 4 months on the road and 2 of that on my own, I sure as hell ain't no veteran. I'm getting the hang of it and actually starting to like what I do. Man, at first, I can't tell you how many times in the first few weeks I wanted to get out of the truck and walk to the nearest bus station or airport and tell the company "your #### truck is sitting at such and such." Or, just crawl up in the fetal position in my bunk and cry like a little wuss. But I fought it and realized that I am just learning, and frustrations will come and go. My wife listened to several "venting" sessions over the cell phone. I had lots of people to lean on and ask questions. Friends I've never met. Some of them here on this board that sent me emails, PM's and cell phone numbers to call if I needed help or needed to scream. (thanks Toad, Led, Leannamarie and others. You know who you are) Some that just walked up out of nowhere and asked, need some help? My trainer was a regular phone call at least twice a day, and I am blessed to have him as a friend now, who will call me and check in on me a couple of times a week. We also meet on the road every now and then for a meal and some laughs.
Sure there are idiots out there that will laugh when you make a mistake, but there are angels among us, and those who remember being a new guy, and are sympathetic. The funniest thing that has happened was, some goof in a fuel line was sqawkin' on the CB because when I pulled up to fuel my reefer, I didn't pull up far enough and had to get back in, pull up again and get out to fuel. Then the pump had reset, so I had to insert my card and start the pump all over again. Anyway while numbnuts was yakin', laughing and bringing it to everyones attention, I spotted him while he was in the fuel line. Boy he was having a good laugh.
As I pulled up after fueling and he began fueling, I went inside grabbed a coffee and came back out, just in time to see him pulling out and snag the big concrete block at the fuel island with his tandems. It slammed him to a stop and lifted the left rear of him trailer over so high, I thought it was going to roll over. The tandems were damaged to the point that he was not leaving the lot with that trailer. I hated to laugh, but I did anyway. I kinda felt sorry for him, but that feeling didn't last long. You shoulda seen the look on his face.
It also taught me that anytime you rag someone, it's just a matter of time before it can happen to you. If we are willing to help, we will all benefit from being and training better drivers for tommorrow.

 

Karma's a beoutch, ain't it!

 

Hey nutjob, you find one driver out here who claims he has never made a mistake of some sort and I'll show you a liar!
We have ALL made our fair share of eff-ups,don't let some nimrod on the c.b get to ya. Hell, he got what he had comin anyway.
Your miles stayin consistent?

 

You talkin to me? I wasn't bustin on newbie, I was sayin what come around goes around to the nimrod who rode his tandem up on the concrete barrier!

I made plenty of mistakes. Never tore up any equipment (knock on wood). Hell my father still gives me crap about bumpin a dock on my first trip out with the doors still closed!