Hello Everybody !!!

Hello ,

I'd like to just say hi and thank everyone for such a informative site for the (New Crews) coming into the trade. I have been a professional printer for the last 25 years and as you all well know print is on its way out. Everyone gets their media electronic now. When the baby bloomers quit reading the paper its all over. Newspaper circulations have dropped in half in the last 6 years and commercial printers are seeing their revisionism drop drastically due to advertising constraints. I'm getting out of print at 48yrs old and starting a career I left when I was a young lad (24yrs). My dad was a O/O and i seen what he went through as I grew up, (not easy, gone all the time,never made enough), tractor (GMC 318 2 stroke) in the driveway etc. I use to crawl up in the rack and pretend I was on the road like him as a kid. I eventually became a shuttle driver for Coleco Ind. back in the 80's but never OTR . I let my license go when I entered printing... My (2) son's are in college/ graduated and working. My wife of 24 years works long hours as a RN at the local hospital. I am coming back to what is in my blood. I have to learn the ins/ outs again but not the feeling... I got the allure in me... I'm coming back to the harsh lifestyle I crave... I know it's hot,cold, tight, and night... I'll be hungry at times and full others... I'll have the fear of god (already do) again and best of all I'll have my truck... The smell,the vibrations... The home away from home... The uncertain road. I have made my success in print and live comfortably here in Saratoga NY. Now it's time to leave the INSIDE of the building and go home... I fly out to Wisconsin next month for 3 weeks of (160hrs) company school. I enter a Company sponsored school on Sept 7th and have been hired on as a rookie if I make the cut. I test out for my permit (again) next week as to it was easy for me in 1984 but I was 24yrs old then...

I'll have (2) trainers and then I am alone... (Yup) I'm alive rite now going through this again... Learning Shifting, Paperwork, DOT, and the misses at home... I got a real good feeling it's going to be down rite REAL.... I need to get back... The money.....? naaah...! I need to see what I have missed for the last 25 years inside... I have a clean slate for a background and license but I am uneducated as to rite now... It's coming at me fast... I'm bucking up and ready to get dirty and sweaty. I wish not to be a rookie but understand it's a phase everyone has to be a part of... I intend to help new drivers as soon as I can help myself... There's got to be some good truckers coming back into this trade ( I'm not stupid, I know the margins are thin if not negative ) but have the need to get back to what I had when I was another fellow... Please excuse me while I learn what you all already know so well, then I will join you all as a respected voice here but for now I'm just BellEye, the rookie want to be.... I thank each and every one of you for your words of wisdom weather it be RANT or RAVE... I am with you.

PS: Are the showers clean? Hahahahaha... I'm coming in with a open mind and good attitude. I'm prepared for the worst so if the pleasant happens I'm that much further ahead. I need support out there. I'm going to be slow and safe...

I am now a student
Working hard to be a proud Trucker!
PSS: and no..... I'm not whacked in the head, just looking to participate in a worthy trade that commands excellence and to be proud again...:

 

Yup!

I'm a studying!!!! Lots to learn again and I feel at home here... Rookie as I is (before rookie as I see it)... I start school Sept 7th.. I have a new tooth brush and sleeping bag.... Hahahahahaha... I have a vary open mind coming into this but failure is not in my genetic makeup... I want to see the usa and find some land somewhere to purchase eventually. I have some archers in Saratoga NY but wish to diversify somewhere out west perhaps... I really need to SEE first.... I don't get out too much but I think thats about to change here in a tad... I'm ready to work..... Currently baffled by the 14 hr rules and splits and rest time and and and...... Ooh the things I have to learn so I don't get in trouble.... Shifting has me a tad bit concerned too... I know it will all come back but the initial "OOH MY GOD" is hitting me here at home and I'm not even in the cab yet!!!! Hahahahahaha... I'll be ok but might have to clean out the britches on the 1st day driving.... I'm so excited.... Truck Stops (Service Centers) will have me parking in the back for awhile... I don't wish to get too close and anger any Pro Truckers with my rookie parking skills... But I need internet!!! Up front I come Please watch for me and come say hello and bust my chops a tad so I might feel at home....

 

Perhaps I am posting in the incorrect place for my blab... Could someone point me to a better place to post my thoughts and questions ? Perhaps I should make a blog? I'm new to posting also... Being how I intend on being on the road most of the month (each month) I will want a place to write my experiences... I'm ready for advice! Please!

How about Belly's Blog?