Going to Navajo Express!

Have a fridge in the truck, with lunch meat/spam *They now have single serving packages instead of that huge can* bread water, juices, soda every now and again, a warmer in the truck to have a warm can of soup to eat with a sandwich.
Stay away from truckstop food, at most times, unless snow and ice and snowed in, then eat their food while saving yours as T/S only keep enough food for 3-4 days stock, and you save yours for 'hard times' if you're there that long.

As for lifestyle, imagine just driving for days in, knowing that the 2000 miles you just drove, you're going to get up and drive the same miles back, you live like a gypsy, and no matter what happens, it's your fault.
The only people you will see, are the shippers/receivers/forklift/crane operators and not all of them are in good spirits, and some think of you as nothing but a lowly driver who is as dumb as a 'box of rocks'. Some people get under your skin, ie time I got blowed off the top of a load of lumber when a gust of wind came up suddenly and I hit the ground hard, and my hardhat and safety glasses went flying. As I was getting up slowly, some idiot came out and telling me, "Driver! You HAVE to put your hard hat on or I'm going to write YOU UP!" Well, I kinda went off the handle on him.. and called him everything under the sun, and told him what to do with the hard hat. He took off back to the office and I didn't see him anymore until I got my paperwork..

Next, to save money, remember, there are no 'good deals' you don't need it. You'll get to hear a TON of hard luck stories from bums that do it everyday and make a living off of it.
Best one I've seen, was a well dressed woman, with a child 7-8 year old, walking around a T/S with a fuel can, saying she was looking for a job, and ran outta gas, and needed some gas money to get home. Kicker was, it was a new gas can, but everyone felt sorry for her, and gave her some money.
One week later, at the same fuel stop, the same woman, with the same kid and fuel can came around again, with the same 'hardluck' story wanting money.
Another just for general principles.
In W. Memphis there was a guy and a woman, both well dressed, claiming to be drivers who had a cat engine go down, and had it at the Cat place N of the Petro, passed I40 and on the left side. Well the kicker to that one, is by knowing the area, I told him all they did was equipment such as bulldozers, they didn't fix semitruck, and now it has been closed down.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy driving, always have, just letting you know what to be ready for. Long hours, & Low pay for the things you do, there are alot of 'behind the scenes' work to driving a truck.

 

you will probably change your opinion about "driving 400 plus miles everyday that's gonna be the hardest part I think." Backing in between two other trucks, Blind side a truck in a spot. Finding a spot to park after a 625 mile day. I think you made a good choice going with Navaho I see them everyday here in Colorado. Keep a good attitude and you will do just fine. Good Luck

 

After time it won't bother you. Alot of people hate elogs, I don't use one, but I think it has good reasoning behind it, I used to work for people who had a standing rule, "No matter what time you get loaded if its within 800 miles you can be there the next day, it might not be early, but get it there."
You had to be there or they charged you with being late -$100.
Alot of people give DOT a hard time, but if you sit and talk with them, most are nice & just have a job to do same as everyone else. I personally like the fact they are out there, if not employers would have you running 20+ hours a day.
Now-a-days with the cellphone, you are able to still connect with your family, instead of trying to take time out and find a payphone, and then one that wasn't in use, and have to call home, dispatch, sit on hold, while everyone else is also trying to make use of a phone.
Some company have a policy, as 'No Phones While Driving' even with a bluetooth headset, because they say it's a distraction, and if caught using one, they can/will fire you.
The job has changed several times over the years, and professional courtesy has been gone for years.. many years..
The job has several good perks, as you get to see things most people never get to see, and I hate sitting in one place for to long, I cannot make it in an office job. I get more tired sitting in a truckstop waiting on a load then I would if I would have driven all day and half the night.
Navajo haul alot out of my area, about 30 miles from me, at a chicken plant. I see a ton of their trucks going by all the time I'm home, so at least they keep them busy out of the AR area.

 

You should be fine, Iwant. Judge seems to be venting, more than offering persective. You'll also meet some really cool people, some really well organized shippers/consignees who are trucker friendly. The refrigerator is a must, though. You can have control of meals and health if you plan a little. I liked your comment on passing your CDL exams. If you keep a reasonable attitude like that indicates, you should prosper.

You're in a perfect position for success, Iwant. Take your time, don't rush around yet. The learning curve is steepest at the start of any human endeavor, so if something you don't like happens, chalk it up to experience, absorb the lesson, and move on.

Best.

 

I'm giving different perspectives, as I mentioned above, I do enjoy the job, have never messed with a refer, so I can't give any info about that, just some things to be ready for.

 

It's a great job, especially for a young single guy who wants to see the country. Wages are going up and everyone is hiring so, if you aren't getting $1200/week after a year - you will get it from someone else.

Keep track of how much you spend at the truck stops and restaurants - knowing the actual dollar amount each month will motivate you to cook in the truck. It's easy to spend an extra $600-$800 each month that you don't have to. Hey, that's a mortgage payment or a rockin' car!

 

So what does Navajo express pay per mile?