My Journey as a Truck Driver

Something don't sound right.

 

Just another worthless bum, I would request a new trainer immediately. In the winter time you set just your tractor brakes and you can put air-line anti-freeze into your air lines if your worried about them freezing up. Just buy a bottle and use a funnel to funnel it into your air lines at your glad hands, also try to drain your air tanks daily on your truck in the winter.

 

Shrug,Your post's are great!But man what a nightmare,having to work and live with such degenerate's.How many total miles do you have now?Why does'nt this last guy ever have any money?Do you get to see his income or anything that shows what he's making so you have an idea of your potential earnings once you go solo?Hang in there guy,You're doing great, and making smart decisions.Dont let this guy get you in a bad situation.Well,anymore than he already has.Saw Steven Tyler on American Idol getting into a limo the other night,he said;

"Dont sweat the petty things and dont pet the sweaty things"

 

Shrug,These so called training periods are usually a bunch of B.S. You're probably twice the driver this guy(or the gal for that matter) is because of the school you went through.If I was you,I'd stay with this guy because you're right,who knows what you could end up with.As far as safety goes,most of the big carriers dont give a crap about safety,until you get caught doing somthing wrong, then they're all about it,and you're thrown under the bus,as it was all your fault.Safety is all about you.This guy you're with now wont be driving a truck much longer,I can assure you of that.These big carriers want their loads delivered and dont really care how its done.You're absolutly right about protecting your cdl status,if you want a career in this industry.Thats the only thing that will move you on to better and better trucking companys.

I would'nt complain much either, like you said, because they might just think you're a whiner.You can run your own show once you get your truck.Sounds like you're almost halfway now.I'm looking foward to hearing about you when you're on your own and doing things the right way.It will be a 100% different exp. than what your going through now.At least you're seeing how not to do it,unless you want to live like trash,and you dont sound like that.There's alot of good guys out here making good money and enjoying the lifestyle.Be Safe!

 

Hey Shrug, I'm enjoying reading about your trials and tribulations as you work your way towards going solo. I had a few issues getting through the trainers as well (with a different company) and was so relieved when I finally went out on my own. It's a very different experience when you have the freedom to choose where to take your breaks, etc.

I was also interested to see that you are a runner. In my 3 and a half years out here I've never seen another one as I take my laps near truck stops and terminals. I've gotten a lot slower as I've gotten older but I still enjoy putting in a few miles when I get the chance.

Keep us posted on how things go,

Phil

 

Trying to stay fit and healthy while driving OTR has proven to be quite a challenge. I've managed to stay reasonably slim but if I was not able to get some exercise in fairly regularly I'd lose the battle. And running is the easiest exercise I can fit into the trucking lifestyle.

I used to not give much thought about safety, but after almost getting mugged in Chicago a while back, I think about it a lot more these days. My favorite runs are in rural areas where there's little traffic and some nice scenery. I've had plenty of skirmishes with territorial dogs, but generally if you don't run from them they'll leave you intact.

I definitely recommend having an ID tag of some sort that includes a phone number to someone who knows you (in case your body is recovered and you are non-communicative).

Phil

 

Shrug, where do you find "trainers" like that?


Seriously, that ***clown needs to be off the road. I thought the felons were supposed to be cleaned off the road by now? Don't keep giving this loser any more "loans". You'll never see that money again, you and I both know this. Seems like he's taking trainees to keep from spending his own money to support his own nasty non-showering kiester.

Were I you, I would see to it that Safety knows EVERY LAST VIOLATION he has committed since you've been with him.