A few basic questions..

I have to confess you're a better woman than I am a guy. I know I couldn't do on a regular basis what you do. I'd have to kill something once a week.

I took the chance of leaning on you a little to see if you'd open up with where you really are in life. You did. I see.

I also see that you've done a fair bit of soul searching along with occupational research. Sounds like you have most of your ducks in a row.

I remain stuck on the 8 yr old. To me that's a toddler. I have a feeling it's going to be difficult for anyone's insurance company to embrace having someone that young in the truck for extended periods. Passenger protections just aren't built for someone so small. You may arrange a workaround that satisfies the cops & the insurance companies.

I've given you the bulk of how it is leaving out many details but you get the picture. The last thing, just cover your ### against everyone. Everyone IS out to get you.

Here's something I give to newcomers; Don't scratch the paint, Don't bend any metal & Don't kill anyone..especially yourself. The rest will pretty much fall into place.

Best of luck in your determinations. Be smart & stay safe.
rtc

 

You don't have to kiss nothing...just get with the right company.

You don't know what you're missing though, by limiting yourself to the SE only though.

Back to the original post...

Questions 1-4 and 7. Money

Question 5 NO!

Question 6 NO!

Question 8 Depends on you

Question 9 NO!

Question 10 I use a bluetooth headset, and only talk when absolutely needed.

11.... Yes

12....Yes, just not all at once.

13...Sometimes, but rarely. Most of the times I regretted it, I was with a company that was focused on the bottom line, and didn't give a rats @#$ about their drivers, or the drivers family...although ALL companies CLAIM to be family oriented/friendly.

 

Anytime. Some companies will hang onto & forgive you to some degree after the probie period. That period is unique to each company's policy.

Most companies are "at will" employers. They can fire you just because there's a Wednesday in the week. By the same token you can quit at anytime for no reason.

I should say that even "at will" states do afford you "some" employment protections along with the feds.

I know you're particularly interested in the probie period but lets not forget that the next 20 yrs are equally important in not getting into an accident.

I believe that all truck beds have a restraint system on them. It could be as simple as a seat belt or even a web type restraint. It's a good idea to use whichever one is in place. My ex wife/co-driver made me a believer in that. But then, I never could teach her how to play in traffic well. She was forever wearing herself out trying to keep up with stop & go traffic.

That I can't tell you. I don't know that all trucks have a passenger side air bag. Might be special order or just included with certain brands/models.

 

Kuster wasn't afraid of all those Indians either & look what happened to him.

Please do concern yourself & not let God hold all the cards. I think there went another phrase something to the sound of "He helps those that help themselves."

Your best protection is a strong defense. This entails keeping an eye on everyone & everything as best you can.

Another learner once asked me "Where are your eyes fixed while on the road? Where are you concentrating your attention going down the road?" My answer was everywhere & nowhere in particular. It's a bit cryptic but it applies. As you ease 80,000lbs down the road, you need to be watching everything in a 360' circle around you. Add to that, you need to be watching people in front of you for as far as your eye can see. This could mean 1/4 or more of a mile.

In keeping an eye so far forward, you are mentally prep'ing yourself with a series of escape plans based on the immediate placement & actions of those around you.

A game I sometimes play going down the road revolves around asking myself "What if?" What if this car decides to do "this" in front of me? Where do I go to minimize the risk to me & them? What if this car next to me does "this"? Where do I go or what do I need to do?

As you get more comfortable "on the stool", you should task yourself with looking far forward. After awhile of observing others' actions, you'll get a "feel" for what is likely going to happen when that vehicle 1/4mi. ahead of you does something. You'll instinctively begin to compensate for or, at least, expect a certain behavior from the vehicles behind or to the side of that distant vehicle. This "foresight" should eventually come to you & the sooner it does the better for you.

The more you play that game, the more likely you'll take the right path instinctively rather than debating it at the time.

You will never have to change a tire yourself. You are not equipped to do so. It takes a compressor, an air gun, tire spoons, a jack etc. All you need to do is recognize a flat before it turns into an alligator, slow down & make it someplace safe to change a tire & call someone that can.

Backing can be tricky under some circumstances. Yes there will always be something in the way to trick you.

Here's the best advice to follow in backing. G.O.A.L.
When in doubt; Get Out And Look.
It doesn't matter how many times you get out & look.
You'll look considerably more foolish if you hit something that getting out & looking would have prevented.

 

Hi

This topic help me a lot in developing my project. I will contribute more when I finished it.

 

1: The idea of being away from people. This idea has turned into reality.In fact,sometimes the solitude is almost to much.. 2:That,thankfully,it has gotten much easier. 3: The rotten and criminal element in trucking,the total disregard of SOME dispatchers,brokers,and some companies,which could care less if you have not slept in 20 hours,i.e.,all they care about is $$,if something were to happen,they would say,"next application please". 4: The kindness of strangers on the road,both truckers and non-truckers. 5:As for me,I am 51 yrs old,I am locked into this to the end,in one form or another. 6: Truckers ARE underpaid,whether as a company driver or owner-op.,but it is a gypsy lifestyle,and all in all,the $$ is there. 7: Less intervention from the government,I believe the intent is to help,but all the new regs are suffocating us. 8: Please refer to answer 2 9:Foolish question=NO. 10: If I have to,common sense and traffic dictates this. 11: "Hitting the wall" happens to me once a day,one learns how to break through this. 12: Sometimes less,sometimes more,depends on situation. 13: Of course,but I cannot think of anything in life that does not carry some degree of regret,if one thinks "open" enough.

 

WOW! There have been more old threads revived, by new people, this week than in the past two months.