Conway: From a Rookies Point of View

Glad I can help. Its tough coming into a situation where you have no idea what is going on or you don't know what to expect. The drop and hook are as follows, landing gear, lines pin, pull out 6" drop ur bags and pull out until ur back tire is about even with the apron of the trailer and then raise ur bags and back under. Lines and gear.

 

No problem, thanks for reading. While with a trainer your pay is .26 cents a mile for your 10'000 miles. After that its .29 cents per-mile, and you have milestones and you get pay increases when you hit those milestones. I think they are in 30k increments but I cannot say for sure. (If anyone else knows please feel free to weigh in on this question)

 

^ This is true. 100 on Monday and 300(on a company debit card) more on the following Tuesday.

 

Maybe I didn't explain myself, I apologize. I didn't want people to start a debate with me about pets in the drug and/or how dirty and gross or how much I smell etc. I WILL except any suggestions on how to keep my truck CLEAN and I appreciate the input. I will definitely be looking into the HEPA filter thing. I have no problems cleaning my own truck. I look at it this way. Its going to be my home and my office.I want it to smell good, be clean, and presentable for at least 95% of the time. I have a golden retriever and I'm going to buy a little shop-vac, an air line sprayer thingey that hooks up to the seat and allot of febreeze and air fresheners. I am also going to shave her ### down, and keep her clean and groomed. I have no problems getting her a clip every 2 weeks or so. Again, thanks for the input.

 

Holy schit. This sums up the day. goodnight. Just messin'. Ok, we had to be in the Lobby at 330am to do our night drive. I pounded a monster and went out the door. I was the third driver to go and I did pretty well.(A) You really have to pay attention to what you are doing and what the instructor is saying to you. Listen, Scan and search. There isn't traffic around but there are animals. Allot of turns are button hook turns so be prepared. The roads in downtown Neosho are a little tight. Just watch yourself and pay attention and you will be fine. Some of the back country roads have speeds that in my opinion are too fast (65) back home they would have been at the most a 45. But hey, just do what you feel comfortable with. I kept it at 50-55 and it was fine. There is a snake road and you have to be careful with that because if you put 1 trailer tire off the road the woods will suck you up. WATCH YOUR MIRRORS. After the morning run we went to breakfast which was fine if you like breakfast. I'm not a breakfast person so I couldn't really tell you about it. We came back to the school and were showed how to do a 45 deg back (like you would do at a truck stop) and we practiced those. Mind you I came from a school where we ran mostly 40ft trailers and single screw day cabs. This week has been the first time I have been in a 53 ft trailer with a truck that has a sleeper. Trust me when I tell you, It's fairly easy. If you go through school and get the basics on how to maneuver a truck you will be fine. After that, I took my pre-test and passed. We had lunch and went back to the hotel and I think most of us passed out. Hopefully all of us will make it outta here. Tomorrow is test day. Night all.

 

I really have no Ideas as far as the roads. He tell me to go left or right and I follow suit. People where I come from really dont understand how to drive or really how their car works. But in all honesty, 65 MPH on a 2 lane country road that wasn't lit is too fast. I can see 50 maybe 55. But either way if it works for the folks out here it works, but back east, people would die on a regular. So take that for what its worth. I really appreciate the comment, and really glad you enjoy this thread. If there is a demand for it I will try to keep up.If not I will shut er down. As far as country boys go I know CT isn't the first thing that comes to mind, but where I grew up, it was a smaller town than Neosho (Our town was about 1500 population) ----Some more background of myself. I think being from a town like that has made me into the person I am today. Anyway, Thanks for reading and any input you have will be greatly appreciated. Take care driver.

 

There is a question mark after this title because I have lost track of how many days I have been here and frankly I have no idea what day it is. I know this isnt a diary but I am going to take some time and shed some light on being away from home. I have left behind a 9 month old baby girl and a wife at home. I miss them terribly. I talk to them everynight via skype or facetime. I have a feeling, its easier for me being away than it is her. I stay busy constanly and between school and winding down at night I have a full plate. My old man was a driver, still is. He was OTR for 12 years and now hes been local for the past 10. I on the other hand havent spent more than 1 day away from home. Im not going to lie its tough, and its only going to get tougher. I realize this and I am prepared. The point? I want you to be prepared especialy if you are younger and you have a young child. So here we go....Video chat is going to be your saving grace. Make time for them and talk to them. Tell them everthing about your day, no matter even if you really didnt do anything. Talk about what color underwear you're wearing today just as long as its something. Dont do this if you are in a new relationship. We have been together for 10 years. our relationship is strong but it WILL be tested over the next few weeks. Just make time, thats all im trying to say I guess. So enough with the "Dear Abbey" BS, lets get to it. It started the usual way(pick up at 7am) we picked up right where we left off. The guys that didn't do their PTI had to do that. Then 4 of us tested on our backing. Turns out they were a instructor short so the people who took their backing test went to do their road exam. I was one of them. I passed my road exam if you were interested. Its not hard. Listen, when you are here you will be doing some sort of driving every day. All you have to do is what you do naturally, DRIVE. Don't hit anything, don't run a red light and don't run a stop sign. All of us passed today. After the first 4 people went we had lunch, and then the next 5 went. While we were gone those 5 worked on their backing , so while the second group was out we did the same. A long day waiting around. But keep in mind this ISNT a normal day. Its just how the cards fell. Luckily everyone was tested on the road and backing and passed. We then had a half hour to spare so we walked the obstacle course and 2 people took that test. Its more for fun than it is a test, but its a test none the less. So here I am now back at the hotel about to crash. I'm exhausted, so I'm going to bail. Hope this helped a little bit. I'm sorry for the lack of info, I try to be thorough, but tonight I just can think anymore. If you have any questions you know what to do. Stay safe. Goodnight.